With the theme “Community Becomes Unity,” Southwell recently recognized 2020 award winners and long-serving employees at a virtual awards ceremony.

“While we normally honor these employees and award members with a banquet at the UGA Tifton Conference Center, the ongoing pandemic has not allowed for that,” said Chris Dorman, Southwell President/CEO. “However, it is still incredibly important to us as an organization to recognize those who go above-and-beyond, now more than ever.”

Southwell presented the John B. Prince, III Distinguished Service Award to John Brownlee, who recently stepped down as a volunteer board member after 20 years-of-service. Named after the chairman of the Tift County Hospital Authority, the John B. Prince, III Distinguished Service Award recognizes a longstanding associate of Southwell who is also an established leader in the community, using their influence to enhance the mission of the hospital.

Jamie Richardson with Information Technology was recognized as the Dixon-Dorminy Employee of the Year for Tift Regional Medical Center. Lori Goldinger with the Sylvia Barr Center was named the Southwell Medical Outstanding Employee of the Year.

The winner of the Jensen-Patrick Nursing Excellence Award, an award presented by the Tift Regional Medical Center Foundation, was Randy Carr, RN with the Heart and Vascular Center. The foundation also presented the Exceptional Physician Award to Bridget Asbury, MD with Tifton Woman’s Center/UOG.

The foundation also presented a new award at this year’s ceremony: the Advanced Practice Provider Leadership Award. This award was presented to nurse practitioner Judy Weaver, FNP-C with South Georgia Surgical.

 TRHS also saluted employees with five, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 years-of-service. The following employees received special recognition for 40 years-of-service: Kathleen Dunn, Laboratory; Steve Simmons, Information Technology; Helen Sumner, Operating Room; and Beverly Mallory, Oncology.

 The year 2020 also marked 10 years since the health system acquired Affinity Health Group, the region’s largest multispecialty practice. Affinity is now known as Southwell Medical Clinic. It has also been five years since South Georgia Surgical and Georgia Sports Medicine have joined Southwell.

“This past year, our dedicated healthcare workers have been on the frontlines of the COVID-19 battle,” said Dorman. “Southwell’s clinicians and support staff have risen to the occasion, caring for the most vulnerable populations. To all of the employees and Medical Staff members of Southwell —thank you for the sacrifices you make, every day, especially during this pandemic. Your commitment and courage deserve our deepest gratitude and admiration. Your service to patients is saving lives and making a difference.”

Visit https://vimeo.com/mysouthwell  to view the video.