October Newsletter!

November Birthdays and Anniversaries!

Meet Our Newest Providers!

Mahlory Carey FNP-C
NP Float – Covington/ Warner Robins
Alex Little NP-C
Nurse Practitioner – Southern NP Float
Roslyn Dyles – Barrow FNP-C
Nurse Practitioner
Covington 

New to the UOG Crew!

employee photoKeshia VallairPre-op PACU LPN Covington WCAS
employee photoVanessa MayoMedical Assistant -TWC
employee photoDelnitha StadenFront Desk – Lawrenceville

Peer Shoutouts!

Congratulations Corner!

Congratulations to Mandy Tomberlin’s son, Spencer, and his bride, Addie! They tied the knot on October 11th!! Mandy and her husband her officially empty nesters! Congratulations, Spencer and Addie! We wish you both a lifetime of love and happiness!

Congratulations to Johnna Barrentine’s son, Brady and his bride, Fallon! They tied the knot on October 25th!! Congratulations, Brady and Fallon! We wish you both nothing but love, happiness and marital bliss!

Alex Lamb’s sons, Wiley and Wesley, celebrated their first birthday on October 15th! Happy, happy 1st birthday, sweet boys!! Stop growing up so fast!

Our ultrasound tech, Rebekah Davis got engaged to her beau, Cliff, on October 11th!! She’s the future Mrs. Burton! Congratulations, Rebekah! You’re going to make the most beautiful bride in May! We can’t wait to see pictures from your wedding day!

Shake, Rattle and Run for a Cure!

On Saturday, October 25th, we held our FIRST EVER Breast Cancer Awareness 1-Mile Fun Run & 5K and, in our opinion, it was a huge success — with 105 participants showing up bright and early to run, walk, cheer, and support an amazing cause!

Together, we raised over $8,500 for the Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation through Never the Same Boutique! These funds came from race registrations, sponsorships, and donations — and every dollar will help breast cancer patients in and around Tift County receive wigs, bras, prosthetics, and other essential items that insurance doesn’t cover.

This event was more than a fundraiser, it was a dream that our CEO, Mrs. Sherri Simmons, carried for over a decade. During her own chemo journey, she sat beside women who had lost their hair like she had, but couldn’t afford a wig. That memory never left her. Thus, the idea for a Breast Cancer Awareness 5K was born!

Thank you to our incredible Howard Center team and volunteers for giving up part of our Saturday — your heart, dedication, and hard work made this event possible and we can’t thank you enough! This is only the beginning! We can’t wait to make next year even bigger!

Screenshot

2025 UOG Halloween!

Per usual, you guys showed up and showed out with your costumes! The creativity this year was off the charts! We had everything from Crayons to Ostriches, Spice Racks and Deer, Lil Wayne, Chick-fil-a, Birth Controls and even Cotton Candy, Sweet’n Low, Lemme see you Toostie Roll!

We hope that you guys have had a scary good day filled with no tricks, just treats! 🍬🍭

Congratulations to our 2025 Halloween costume contest winners:

1ST PLACE – MAMMOGRAM –  Cotton Candy, Sweet N Low, Let me see you Tootsie Roll

2ND PLACE – VIRTUAL MEDICAL ASSISTANTS – The Contraceptives

3RD PLACE – FRONT DESK STAFF – The Ostriches

Food Drive for November!

With the most recent government currently shut down and many families struggling to provide meals for their loved ones, we’ve decided to step up and support our community by collecting donations for our local food banks. Our Tifton offices will donate to the food banks in Tifton, and our satellite offices will give to their local food banks as well.

We’re asking each person to consider donating at least $10 worth of food. Simply visit your favorite grocery store, purchase your items, and send me a copy of your receipt. If you donate at least $10 worth of goods, you’ll receive a Howard Center Breast Cancer 5K Event T-Shirt as a thank-you! (Sizes are first come, first served.)

If you’d prefer, you may also contribute cash, and someone from our office will purchase items on your behalf. All donations—big or small—make a difference!

We want to be a blessing to families in our community who are facing hardship during this difficult season. With the holidays approaching, let’s embrace the spirit of giving and support those who have less than we do. I know our teams will rise to the occasion!

Every bit counts. We will work with each office to set up a collection box for donated items.

Let’s fight hunger together!

 If you have any questions, please reach out to Melisa Newell! She’ll be happy to help!  

Save The Date!

Here is the link below to RSVP to our Christmas Party on December 5th. It will be held at the University of Georgia Conference Center in Tifton!

Please RSVP as soon as possible! 🙂

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScCr0uTVkbpGW5Tz7-OC8Wx97exyRw973V-1dJ5hD1Ja_r1XA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=102192901847995649022

October Employee Excellence Award Winners and Our Shining Star!

Ultrasound Department: Katelyn HartyThis past month, Katelyn has truly gone above and beyond for the mammogram department in Covington. She has taken on an incredible workload performing all breast ultrasounds as well as all Koning scans while ensuring every single mammogram and breast ultrasound report is thoroughly reviewed.

Katelyn consistently calls patients to discuss their results, schedules necessary follow-up appointments, and diligently tracks biopsy results referred to outside facilities. Her attention to detail and commitment to patient care are exceptional.

She has worked tirelessly to complete her daily tasks while keeping the mammogram department running smoothly and efficiently. Her dedication is evident in the way she has even come in early to make sure all work is completed and patients are cared for without delay.

Katelyn’s work ethic, reliability, and leadership make her an invaluable part of our team. Thank you, Katelyn, for your outstanding commitment and the difference you make every day!

Marketing Department: Danielle BlandingWe’re thrilled to honor Danielle Blanding as our Employee of the Month for October!

Since joining our marketing team in August, Danielle has shown an extraordinary eagerness to learn, grow, and contribute. Her dedication and drive have quickly made her an indispensable part of our outreach efforts.

This month alone, Danielle:

• Completed 28 appointments
• Took initiative to ensure a patient remained on the mammogram schedule Covington, going the extra mile with care and compassion.
• Personally booked 11 NEW schools for herself.
• Attended two evening Health Fairs, even after working her day time Health Fairs

Danielle’s energy, reliability, and heart for Women’s Health shines through in everything she does. We are truly fortunate to have her on our team, and we celebrate her outstanding contributions with deep appreciation. Thank you Danielle!

Accounting Department: Hannah DorseyThis month, I’d like to nominate Hannah Dorsey as my Employee of the Month. Hannah continually goes above and beyond in her role—always willing to cover the front desk and assist in other areas of the office without hesitation or complaint. But this month, she demonstrated an extraordinary level of compassion that truly embodies our values.

While covering the front desk one day, Hannah received a call from a patient who opened up about the many challenges she was facing—including the heartbreaking loss of her sister just the day before. Hannah listened with empathy, offered sincere condolences, and let the patient know that she was there for her.

But Hannah didn’t stop there. Knowing the patient had an appointment the next day, Hannah went out of her way to purchase a bouquet of flowers. When the patient arrived, Hannah personally delivered the flowers and gave her a warm hug. That simple act of kindness meant the world to our patient, who left feeling seen, cared for, and loved.

Hannah is an asset to our team every single day, but this month she truly shined. Her compassion, initiative, and genuine care for our patients make her an outstanding representative of our team and our mission.

Front Desk: Hannah DorseyHannah Dorsey has gone above and beyond this month, stepping in to support the front desk and call center with grace and heart—even though it’s not her official role. She’s cared deeply for our patients, including those grieving recent losses, even purchasing flowers out of her own pocket to comfort them.

Thank you, Hannah, for your compassion, dedication, and selflessness. You’ve truly outdone yourself!

Nursing Department: Brandi LockeBrandi is a truly exceptional employee, and her dedication and positive impact on our team and patients are undeniable. Brandi embodies the qualities we value most, consistently going above and beyond in several key areas. Brandi shows a remarkable appetite for learning. She’s not just open to new information, but actively seeks to learn more and even relearn concepts to ensure her knowledge is current and comprehensive. This intellectual curiosity makes her a valuable asset. She’s proven to be incredibly flexible and always ensures she’s keeping up with her obligations. Her peers consistently speak amazingly about her, which is a testament to her collaborative spirit and strong work ethic. Brandi is simply amazing with our patients—they all love her! She combines warmth with professionalism, creating a positive experience for everyone she interacts with. Her keen attention to detail is a significant strength, ensuring accuracy and thoroughness in all her tasks. This makes her a great addition to the company and an indispensable member of our team. Congratulations Brandi Locke on this well-deserved recognition! We are so fortunate to have her on the team.
Provider: Margaret Anne BrockCongratulations to Margaret Anne Brock, NP for winning the Provider Excellence Award for October Margaret Ann has been a champion for our Leesburg office. She has been building patient relationships and providing great care amid a very busy schedule. Margaret Ann helps to train new Providers in an outlying setting and she has jumped in to help with surgical charts for busier outlying clinics. Margaret Ann is an asset to The Howard Center and highlights the kind of care we strive to provide. Thank you so much for your dedication!
TWC: Nikki PopeNikki is one of the hardest workers I have ever seen. She never stops. From grabbing patients, cleaning rooms, or putting up supplies she is always on the go. We appreciate everything you do for our team!
Insurance: Katrice PrudeWe are proud to recognize Katrice Prude as our Employee of the Month! Katrice consistently goes above and beyond in her role, especially when assisting patients with their billing concerns. Her professionalism, respect, and compassion shine through in every interaction.Katrice doesn’t just provide patients with account information — she takes the time to listen, understand their concerns, and ensure they feel supported throughout the process. If she doesn’t have an immediate answer, Katrice collaborates with the team to find the most accurate and helpful information before following up with the patient.When patients speak with Katrice, it’s more than just a phone call — it’s an experience of care and understanding. By the end of each conversation, patients feel informed, heard, and satisfied.Katrice’s dedication to learning and exemplifying the UOG Way is evident in all she does. Her commitment to excellence and patient-centered service makes her an invaluable part of our team.
Managers: Kristin Merritt, Melisa Newell, Jennifer Harvin, Callie Tucker, Jennifer Goode, Tanner BrownThis month, I’m proud to recognize not just one—but a remarkable group of managers who went above and beyond in true Howard Center spirit. Our October Managers of the Month are:

Kristin Merritt, Melisa Newell, Jennifer Harvin, Callie Tucker, Jennifer Goode, and Tanner Brown.

Each of these leaders gave up their Saturday to not only participate in our 5K walk for breast cancer awareness, but to stay and support the survivor celebration afterward. They didn’t just show up, they showed out. They rolled up their sleeves, stayed for hours, and helped make the event a success.

Being Manager of the Month isn’t just about doing your job, it’s about stepping outside your daily responsibilities and showing up when it matters most. These managers did exactly that.

I also want to acknowledge that some managers couldn’t make it, and that’s completely understandable, this is not to make anyone feel guilty.
But to give praise to those who did and show them our appreciation.
You guys made a powerful statement about commitment, compassion, and teamwork. They didn’t just help run an event, they helped reinforce the culture we stand for.

I’m incredibly proud of each of you. You’ve earned this recognition, and you’ve set the bar for what a great leader looks like. Thank you

WCAS: Tracey WashingtonThis month we’re proud to recognize Tracey Washington as our Employee of the Month! Tracey has been a tremendous help, keeping everything running smoothly at the front while also jumping in to assist in the back whenever needed. From managing her regular duties with grace to helping clean and turn over rooms without hesitation, Tracey has shown incredible teamwork and dedication.

Thank you, Tracey, for always stepping up and keeping us all on track — your positive attitude and willingness to help wherever needed truly make a difference!

Photo of shining star winner

Bekka Reese
Social Media Director and Community Relations Coordinator
$250.00 and a trophy!

It comes as no surprise that our Shining Star of the Month is none other than Bekka Reese. Her tireless dedication to organizing our recent 5K and breast cancer awareness event was nothing short of extraordinary. Bekka navigated countless hurdles and chaotic moments with grace and determination, and I couldn’t be prouder to have her on our team.

While Bekka was a driving force, I want to extend my deepest thanks to every single employee who contributed their time, energy, and even their day off to make this event a success. Your collective effort did not go unnoticed, and I’m truly grateful.

But today, we shine a special spotlight on Bekka, for pulling it all together, rallying the team, and making the vision come to life. She absolutely earned this recognition, and we celebrate her with pride this month!