Tift Regional Health System saluted colleagues at its annual awards banquet held on Nov. 5 at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center.

“For those of us in healthcare, it is essential that this list of people be a long and diverse one. Those who have a positive impact on us enable us to achieve our full potential and influence others,” said TRHS President/CEO Christopher K. Dorman in his opening remarks. “There is no greater gift than that of good health, and your continued dedication to serve the residents of South Central Georgia is very much recognized and appreciated.”

TRHS presented the John B. Prince, III Distinguished Service Award to Dr. James Scott, orthopedist with Georgia Sports Medicine. Named after the chairman of the Tift County Hospital Authority, the John B. Prince, III Distinguished Service Award recognizes a longstanding associate of TRHS who is also an established leader in the community, using their influence to enhance the mission of the hospital.

TRHS named Lisa Fiveash, TRMC Laboratory, the Dixon-Dorminy Employee of the Year for Tift Regional Medical Center. Stephannie Smith, RN at Cook Senior Living Center, was named Cook Medical Center’s Employee of the Year.

The winner of the Tift Regional Medical Center Foundation’s 2018 Jensen-Patrick Nursing Excellence Award, presented the same evening, was Michelle Williford, RN with Hospice of Tift Area. The foundation also presented the Exceptional Physician Award to Dr. Greg Anderson, urologist with Tift Regional Urology.

TRHS also saluted employees with five, 10, 15, 20, 25 30, and 40 years of service. The following employees were recognized for 40 years of service: Johnny Cummings, West Campus Radiology; Kawanda Dowdy, Medical Imaging; Marguerite Merritt, Respiratory Therapy; and Gabriel Reese, Service Excellence. The following employees were recognized for 30 years of service: Marcia Carter, Laboratory; Martha Jackson, Laboratory; Mary Linda Reese, Nursery; Jeffrey Robbins, Neurodiagnostics; Linda Senkbeil, Hospice; and Chandra Wells, Respiratory Therapy.

The banquet ceremony also included musical presentations by staff member Mendi Stone and Entra Holly-Blackmon.