As Memorial Hospital and Manor CEO Billy Walker opened the annual employee awards ceremony Friday morning, May 16, he congratulated the employees for helping to achieve the set goal of being the best hospital in Southwest Georgia. “Thanks to you, we are achieving it,” he said. He then read a letter from a family member who had received what she called “excellent care in the emergency department.”
Hospital authority treasurer Glennie Bench also spoke and offered her personal thanks and testimony for the good care provided to her mother over the years. Dr. Aric Aldridge also told of the great cooperation he found in working with the staff.
Winner of the Julia C. Rogers Excellence in Service award was Robert Akins, a nursing assistant on the medical/surgical ward. This award has been given annually since 1990 in honor of the late Mrs. Julia C. Rogers, a Memorial Hospital and Manor nurse whose compassion and commitment touched patients, as well as employees, of the hospital and nursing home. Akins has been employed with the hospital since Oct. 12, 1992.
Segments from his nominations indicate it was because, “He has all of the qualifications listed. Patients respect him because he puts patient care first. He is very dependable. He is always respectful and courteous to the patients. He doesn’t mind helping in his department and he has his own way of making patients feel comfortable and relaxed. The patients remember him because he treats them so well while in the hospital.”
Another says, “I believe he is an example of every patient, every time.”
Another big award winner was Jill Braswell, recipient of The Bridge Award. Braswell is a physical therapy assistant from the physical rehabilitation services department and has been with the hospital since Aug. 1987. Those nominating her said, “Jill loves her job and brings 100 percent everyday. She never has a bad day, and if she does, no one knows it.” Others say, “She goes above and beyond with everything she does. I can’t count the number of times I hear her say, ‘I am only doing what’s right and that’s what everybody ought to do.”
Superior service awards were given in several work categories. Recipients were: Brenda Carter, administrative; Melodee Loeffler, ancillary; A.J. Clark, long term care; Kim Zillis, nursing; Dr. Aric Aldridge, physicians service; Daron Jones, support; Dr. Barbara Cliffe-Miller, community service; Rene Brock, congeniality; Fran Crews, horizon and Tavares Murphy, team effort.
The longest-term employee is Shirley Story, who has worked at Memorial Hospital for 50-plus years.  Susan D. Haywood, Jane Tye and Roberta J. Culverson were each recognized for 35 years of service; Cynthia Vickers for 30 years; Patricia A. Dean, Oletha S. Kegler, Gloria J. Butler, Margie C. Kirkland, Mary S. Gadson, Laura E. Musgrove, Debra J. Harrell and Pebbles M. Miller for 25 years. Jane Chesser and Caryn Sams each have 20 years.
Elise D. Barber, Tiffany K. Knight, Stan M. Otts, Celesta F. Boyd, Anna B. Spears, Bonnie G. Screen, Debra K. Eakin, Lucy Bailey, Debra T. Miller and Kim D. Creel  each have 15 years. Those with 10 years are: Dameca T. Fillingame, Betty R. Loyless, Amanda L. Thompson, Holly C. Tindell, Amanda L. Logue, Valerie M. Davis, Kimberly T. Byrd, Kathy J. Henry, Kim Zilis, and Loscella Foster. Five year employees are: Willie G. Washington Jr., Jimmy W. Sanders Jr., Lisa J. James, Sonya D. Burden, Angela L. Moore, Hannah Scarburough, Martha Poppell, Sonya Williamson, Trina Jackson, Dr. Ileana Popa, Libby M. Gardner, Betty Stephens and Chilonde Brown.