March Newsletter

Upcoming Birthdays and Anniversaries!

New to the UOG Crew!

employee photoNiki AshleyMedical Assistant – TWC
employee photoKaci CavesMedical Assistant – Tifton
employee photoSarah HoltonWCAS – Tifton
employee photoShannon NormanInsurance Coding Specialist – Main
employee photoJessica AdamsonFront Desk Coordinator – Main
employee photoLisa BellFront Desk Coordinator – Warner Robins
employee photoJessica VannMedical Assistant – Albany
employee photoKaylee PerryMammo Tech

Congratulations Corner!

Connie Leverett and her husband celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary on March 23rd! Let’s take a moment to extend our warmest congratulations to the Leveretts on this special milestone! Here’s to many more years of happiness, love, and togetherness!

Sending our heartfelt congratulations to Mrs. Sherri and Mr. Jerry Simmons as they celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary on 03/19! As we celebrate this remarkable milestone with the Simmons, let us take a moment to honor the profound bond they share and the countless memories they have created together over the past 30 years. Here’s to three decades of love, laughter, and lifelong companionship!

Let us extend our warmest congratulations to Mandy and Lance Tomberlin as they recently celebrated their 27th wedding anniversary, which took place on March 22nd! Mandy and Lance, may this time be filled with joy, laughter, and heartfelt celebrations as you reminisce about the cherished moments of the past 27 years and eagerly anticipate the adventures that lie ahead. Here’s to many more years of love, happiness, and shared dreams!

We are excited to share in the joyous milestones of one proud Momma, Laura Stephens! Laura’s daughter, Emma, married the love of her life, Kam, on March 13th of this year! Their journey together has been further blessed with the wonderful news of an upcoming addition to their family! Emma and Kam are expecting their first child, Laura’s first grandchild, on July 15th, and we couldn’t be happier for them as they prepare to welcome their sweet baby boy, Bryson Moate, into their lives. Congratulations, Laura! We know that you are beaming with pride for your baby girl and her family!

We have the privilege of celebrating the remarkable return of one of our own heroes, Angel Martinez, husband of our, Shelly Martinez. Let us extend our warmest welcome as Angel returns home after a six-month deployment in Lithuania.

Angel’s journey home was expedited due to unforeseen circumstances—a testament to the unpredictable nature of military life. Despite facing challenges, Angel’s dedication and resilience shine brightly as he returns to his loved ones ahead of schedule.

As Angel marks his 19th year of service in the Army, we pause to honor his unwavering commitment, sacrifice, and bravery. His selflessness and devotion to duty inspire us all and remind us of the profound impact of service to our country.

Shelly, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to you and your family for the sacrifices you have made and the unwavering support you have provided to Angel throughout his service. Angel, thank you for your service!

We are thrilled to announce that our talented Jim Howard, has received an acceptance into NYU TISCH!! New York City (a.k.a. The Big Apple) is calling your name! Congratulations, Jim! We can’t wait to see you excel N

UOG in the Community!

The Howard Center for Women’s Health was a proud sponsor of the Hearts and Diamonds Gala hosted by Southwell on March 16th! Greer Howard, Dr. Kaylar Howard, Dr. Kristen Yates-Coleman, Jessica Strickland and Bekka Reese were in attendance, proudly representing UOG! It was a true delight to see our community come together in honor and memory of the beautiful Joyce Mims!

The Howard Center is proud to support our local heroes at the Tifton and Tift County Fire Departments!

On March 21st, we donated IV bags filled with essential vitamins to help them rehydrate and replenish after their controlled burn taking place that morning!

We greatly appreciate the dedication and bravery of these first responders, and we’re thankful for all they do to keep our community safe.

Shout Outs!

Mental Health Matters

  • Try a relaxing activity. Explore relaxation or wellness programs or apps, which may incorporate meditation, muscle relaxation, or breathing exercises. Schedule regular times for these and other healthy activities you enjoy, such as listening to music, reading, spending time in nature, and engaging in low-stress hobbies.
  • Set goals and priorities. Decide what must get done now and what can wait. Learn to say “no” to new tasks if you start to feel like you’re taking on too much. Try to appreciate what you have accomplished at the end of the day.
  • Practice gratitude. Remind yourself daily of things you are grateful for. Be specific. Write them down or replay them in your mind.
  • Focus on positivity. Identify and challenge your negative and unhelpful thoughts.
  • Talk about your feelings. Tell your friends and family about how you feel. Being listened to can help a lot. 
  • Get involved. Being on your own and being isolated can make depression worse and cause low self-confidence. Start by going out more and perhaps try joining a group of people with similar interests. This will take your mind off your worries by being involved in interesting activities.

Save the Date!

Save the date and mark your calendars for the upcoming Run For TTP 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk scheduled to take place on April 27th, 2024, hosted by our very own Debbie Hill and her family (The Aisha Hill Hope Foundation)!

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) is a rare blood disorder that requires ongoing research, awareness, and support. By participating in the Run For TTP, you can join us in raising vital funds and awareness for TTP research, patient support, and advocacy efforts.

Celebrate Nurse’s Week 2024 with Spirit Week!

Dear Team,

Get ready to show your appreciation and celebrate our incredible nurses during Nurse’s Week 2024! This year, we’re kicking off the festivities with an exciting Spirit Week filled with fun and camaraderie. Mark your calendars and join in on the themed dress-up days:

  1. Monday, May 6th: Dress Up as Old People Day
    Embrace your inner wisdom and don your best “old people” attire. Whether it’s rocking a gray wig, oversized glasses, or pulling out your finest vintage fashion, let’s pay homage to the wisdom and experience of our elders.
  2. Tuesday, May 7th: Twinning with Your Favorite Coworker
    Grab your work bestie and dress in matching outfits for Twinning Day! Whether you coordinate colors, styles, or even go all out with identical costumes, let’s celebrate the bond of friendship and teamwork that makes our workplace special.
  3. Wednesday, May 8th: Nerd Day
    It’s time to unleash your inner nerd! Show off your love for all things geeky with glasses, suspenders, pocket protectors, and anything else that screams “nerd chic.” Let’s celebrate intelligence, curiosity, and the pursuit of knowledge.
  4. Thursday, May 9th: Cartoon Character Day
    Channel your favorite cartoon character and bring some animated fun to the workplace! Whether you’re a Disney fan, a superhero enthusiast, or love classic cartoons, let your imagination run wild and transform into your cartoon counterpart.
  5. Friday, May 10th: UOG Spirit Day
    Show your pride and support for our institution by wearing your UOG gear with pride! Let’s come together as a community to celebrate our shared values, accomplishments, and the incredible work of our nurses.

Let’s make Nurse’s Week 2024 a memorable celebration of the dedication, compassion, and hard work of our nursing team. Get creative, have fun, and let’s show our nurses how much they mean to us!

Employee Excellence Award Winners and Our Shining Star!

Marketing: Rhonda McGinnisRhonda is our Covington Marketer. . I would like to say a big “THANK YOU” for your hard work and making a difference in Women’s lives. She has had THREE shout outs that emailed and texted to us. She was recognized for her organization and kindness. Rhonda has grown so much from when she first started with us. Thank you for everything you have done this far for our UOG offices. Your work is commendable and proud to have you on the UOG team and part of the UOG family.
Front Desk: Morgan DillardMorgan does all our referrals for most of our southern clinics. She has really stepped up this month. Adding more to her work load with helping our surgery schedulers. Making sure that the front desk does not need any additional help. She has helped our mammogram department with paperwork. She has truly helped wherever she has been able to this month. It has not gone unnoticed. Thank you Morgan! Keep up the good work.
Provider: Tarah WilsonCongratulations to Tarah Wilson for winning the Provider Excellence Award!
UOG can always count on her. Hands down, without a doubt, no question! I have no idea what we would do without her! She doesn’t question when asked to fill in, she just says YES! Her reviews show her patients love her and she takes pride in her work as a Nurse Practitioner!! Thank you Tarah !!
Manager: Jessica SolidayWow, Jessica has gone through so many employee changes this past month. And you know what? She’s handled them like a pro, making sure that her team is still well taken care of. I am extremely grateful for her dedication in looking after all our employees at TWC. Jessica truly deserves this recognition as Manager of the Month!
Insurance: Rylea Madison TaylorRylea Madison Taylor was chosen for insurance employee of the month. She has been such an asset to our call-center. She’s picked up on Howard Center’s policies quickly. After she was comfortable with her daily duties she came and requested more responsibilities on her own. She is very proactive with her daily work. We are happy to have her as part of our team!!
TWC: Dallas PinetaDallas Pineta is one of our front desk employees. She is always so quiet and runs under the radar but she does so much behind the scenes for Tifton Woman’s Center. From making sure patients records are handled timely, to jumping in to help her fellow co workers no matter what the issue is. Thank you Dallas for all your hard work!
Nursing: Shawntel TabronShawntel’s dedication, positivity, and unwavering commitment to excellence make her a shining example of the values we hold dear at our organization. Every day, Shawntel brings her bright smile and positive attitude to work, uplifting those around her and creating a welcoming environment for both colleagues and patients alike. Despite facing adversity, Shawntel’s resilience and determination never falter, and she continues to give her best to our patients day in and day out. Shawntel, your hard work, positivity, and dedication do not go unnoticed. You are a valued member of our team, and we are grateful for the positive impact you make each and every day. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!
Photo of shining star winner

Katelin Harlan
Ultrasound Tech – Covington
$250.00 and a Trophy!

Katelin has been so gracious to travel from the North to work in Tifton over the past month. She has been the biggest blessing. She has a strong work ethic. When she’s not scanning a patient, she cleans rooms, works on tasks, restocks rooms, etc. Katelin, you have gone above and beyond for The Howard Center and your co-workers this month. You have been the definition of what a team player truly is. Thank you so much!