Southwell saluted its employees and associates at an annual awards banquet held April 6 at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center. Southwell consists of Tift Regional Medical Center (TRMC) in Tifton, Southwell Medical and Southwell Health and Rehabilitation in Adel, and Southwell Physician Practices with clinics located throughout the region.

“Tonight is a special night of well-deserved tributes, honors and recognition,” said Christopher Dorman, Southwell President/CEO. “Our people are our biggest strength, and I remain amazed at the level of dedication and hard work our team puts into every opportunity. Thank you for putting our patients first.”

The TRMC Foundation honored Andrew Nackashi, DO with the Exceptional Physician Award. Dr. Nackashi is a board-certified general surgeon with South Georgia Surgical who also serves as the Medical Director of the Tift Comprehensive Breast Center. In addition, Dr. Nackashi is the Medical Director of Robotic Surgery at TRMC.

The TRMC Foundation also recognized Kristy Redlinger Stone, PA-C with the Advanced Practice Provider Award. Stone is a physician assistant with the TRMC Anita Stewart Oncology Center. In addition, the TRMC Foundation named Kayla Callahan, RN with the TRMC Cardiac Step Down Unit as the Jensen Patrick Nursing Excellence Award winner.

The John B. Prince, III Distinguished Service Award is designed to recognize a longstanding associate of TRMC who is also a leader in the community, using their influence over the years to help further the mission of the hospital. This year’s award was presented posthumously to the late Wasdon Graydon, who served in a board capacity with Southwell for more than 15 years. His wife Veronica Graydon accepted the award on his behalf.

Southwell also recognized employees of the month for the past year at TRMC and Southwell Medical. Social Worker Crystal Howell, LCSW with Hospice of Tift Area was named the TRMC Dixon Dorminy Employee of the Year. Billy Ward, an EVS Technician with Southwell Medical in Adel, was announced as the Southwell Medical Employee of the Year.

Southwell also saluted employees with five, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 years of service. Asst. Vice President of Human Resources Lori Folsom, Obstetrics Nurse Livia Hall, RN, and Controller Tonia Waldrop reached the milestone of 40 years of service.

IT Interface Programmer Steve Simmons and OR Nurse Sara Sumner, RN were honored for reaching 45 years of service and Radiation Therapist June McKinnon received accolades for surpassing 50 years of service.

The evening also included a special musical tribute from Office Coordinator Kasandra Pridgon with the TRMC Anita Stewart Oncology Center.

“On behalf of our Board of Directors and Executive Team, I want to thank all of you for what you do each and every day,” Dorman told the audience. “Wherever you work, whatever your role, please know that you are making a positive impact.”