December Newsletter!

January Birthdays and Work Anniversaries

New to the UOG Crew!

Please give a warm welcome to the newest members of our UOG Family! Welcome, everyone! We are so excited to have you here with us! We can’t wait to see you soar, all while changing women’s lives!

employee photoCayla NixFront Desk Main
employee photoAmber JacksonFront Desk Coordinator Tifton Main
employee photoMary MericlePre-op/ PACU RN Covington WCAS
employee photoKayla WatsonFront Desk Coordinator- Warner Robins
employee photoEmily ColeyUltrasound Tech Warner Robins
employee photoDeborah Hobbs Mammogram Tech – TWC

Peer Shout Outs!

Congratulations Corner!

Amyie Mathis’ daughter, Alivia, married Rob Vassey on 12.12.25 at sunset on the beach at St Simon’s King & Prince. Congratulations, Alivia and Rob! We wish you both a lifetime of love and happiness!!

Taylor Surrett celebrated her 3 year wedding anniversary with her husband, Dillon, on December 9th! Taylor and Dillon, congratulations! We wish you both many, many, many more years of marital bliss! Happy Anniversary!!

Sarah Doggett and her boyfriend, Ethan, celebrated their 1 year dating anniversary on Dec. 11th! Time flies when you’re with the one that you love doesn’t it? Congratulations and happy anniversary to you both!!

2025 UOG Christmas Party!

Our 2025 Howard Center Christmas Party was a full-on red carpet extravaganza — complete with celebrities, casino games, and more glam than Hollywood itself.

From Adam Sandler to the Golden Girls, Pitbull to Thor (and yes… the Grinch, too!) you guys came ready to sparkle!

Thank you to The Local Graze, El Jarocho, and Catered by Guch for the delicious food! Thank you so much to our staff that worked behind the scenes to make last night happen, especially Melisa Newell for spearheading the event and doing such an incredible job every year — and the biggest thank you to Dr. Drew & Dr. Kaylar Howard! Without them, none of this would even be possible!

We truly work for such an incredible and compassionate organization! We’re so grateful for each and every one of our team members! Thank you so much for ALL that you do for us and our patients, daily!!

UOG Christmas Spirit Week!

Christmas Spirit Week at The Howard Center was one for the books!

From Merry & Bright—with all the sparkle, twinkle lights, and glowing accessories—to Frosty Fashion Day serving winter wonderland vibes in whites, silvers, and icy blues!

Then, we Decked the Halls (Wearable Style) with garland, bows, ornaments, and all the festive flair—because who says you can’t decorate people?!

Christmas Snack Squad Day brought our favorite treats to life—gingerbread, candy canes, peppermint, Little Debbie Christmas trees, and more!

We wrapped it all up by Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree, dressing as our favorite Christmas songs! As always, you guys showed up and showed out with creativity, holiday spirit, and so much fun.

We’re so thankful for everyone who participated and helped make this week extra special. We truly have the best crew!

Happy New Year! New Year, Healthier and More Organized YOU!

Cold weather calls for a little extra care.
From staying hydrated to boosting immunity, small daily habits can make a big difference in how you feel this winter. Take care of your body—it’s working hard for you.

A fresh start begins at home.
Simple organization habits can reduce stress, save time, and help you feel more in control of your space. Start small, stay consistent, and enjoy the calm that comes with a clutter-free home.

December Excellence Award Winners and Our Shining Star!

Congratulations to everyone mentioned below! Thank you so much for your hard work and dedication to The Howard Center and Tifton Woman’s Center! We appreciate you and all that you do for us and our patients!

Marketing: Iris ThomasPlease join us in congratulating Iris Thomas, our December Marketer Employee of the Month! Iris consistently goes above and beyond to support both our team and our patients. Whether she’s decorating the office with a Christmas tree, chatting with patients to help them feel comfortable, or following up to get appointments rescheduled, Iris brings warmth and positivity to everything she does.
Highly organized, outgoing, and deeply compassionate, Iris also led the team in most completed appointments for the month, reflecting her strong work ethic and dedication. We are grateful to have her as part of our team and appreciate the energy and care she brings to the office every day.
Howard Diet: Rachel FlemingThis month’s Employee of the Month goes to Rachel Fleming. Rachel has been a tremendous help during a very busy season, providing invaluable support within the FMLA department. She ensured everything was completed accurately and on time and consistently checked in to see if there was anything else she could assist with. Her reliability and willingness to help do not go unnoticed and are truly appreciated. Thank you, Rachel, for your hard work and dedication. I appreciate you and all that you do.
Insurance: Vickie BlakeVickie Blake is our Employee of the Month. This month, Vickie has continuously demonstrated exceptional skill and compassion while assisting patients with their billing needs and concerns. She doesn’t simply do what’s required and move on—she takes the time to ensure every patient feels heard, understood, and supported. Vickie patiently explains insurance billing processes, addresses all concerns thoroughly, and makes sure patients leave each call feeling at ease and confident in the answers they received. Often, patients walk away with more clarity and reassurance than they expected, thanks to Vickie’s kindness and genuine care. Vickie truly has a heart of gold, and her dedication reflects one of our core goals at The Howard Center: making patients feel truly cared for. She is a bright light for both our patients and our insurance department, and we sincerely appreciate everything Mrs. Vickie does.
Ultrasound : Rachel FlemingThis past month, Rachel has truly been the heart of our Lawrenceville office. In addition to her role as an ultrasound tech, she stepped in to cover the MA position while the office has been without a MA. Rachel also kept up with FMLA responsibilities for all of the Northern offices during this time. Her willingness to take on multiple roles, adapt quickly, and support both patients and staff demonstrates an exceptional level of dedication and teamwork. Rachel’s hard work and reliability have made a significant impact, and we are incredibly grateful for everything she does.

Congratulations, Rachel, and thank you for going above and beyond!

TWC: Ragan HardenRagan is one of our ultrasound techs at Tifton Woman’s Center and she is just the sweetest person ever! We have several pregnant patients that request only for her to do their ultrasounds because of how bubbly and sweet she is. I have received several compliments from patients this past month about how “seen” she made them feel and how professional and caring she is during her scans. We are so blessed to have you part of our TWC team!
WCAS: Cristina HuertaCristina Huerta in December I received a large amount of compliments and reviews all raving about the exceptional level of care she provides. Surveyors consistently highlight her patience, compassion, and dedication. Cristina truly goes above and beyond to ensure every patient has a positive and incredible experience at the Surgery Center.

She treats patients with the same care and respect she would show her own family. Thank you, Cristina, for your outstanding work and commitment. You are truly a pleasure to work with!

Management: Melisa Newell, Kristin Merritt, Tanner Brown & Bekka ReeseMy Manager Shoutout for December goes to Merritt, Melisa, Bekka, and Tanner. Once again, this team went above and beyond to make our Christmas party absolutely incredible. None of this is in their job description, yet they step up every single year without hesitation.

They make sure the food is handled, the games are ready, the prizes are set, the decorations are perfect, and that every single one of our 200‑plus employees (and their plus‑ones) has an unforgettable time. Every year they deliver something amazing, but this year they truly outdid themselves.

It was outstanding, and I appreciate each one of them more than I can say. Thank you for making our Christmas party truly star‑studded.

Provider: Kala Hodges, FNP-CCongratulations to Kala Hodges, FNP-C, for winning the Provider Excellence Award for December.

Kala is a champ at running an outlying clinic! Although her clinic seems quiet the Waycross clinic serves Ware county and the surrounding 6 counties. Kala takes pride in her patient care and has already assisted 9 patients in conceiving.

Kala doesn’t mind jumping in to help with Telemeds or any other patient concerns, she worked many extra weeks this year to keep her clinic open when we were short staffed. Kala’s patients love her and they let us know frequently.

Thank you Kala for your commitment and dedication to our patients.

Front Desk: Coree SheffieldWe are proud to recognize Coree as our Employee of the Month. As the face of our front desk, she has consistently gone above and beyond in every aspect of her role.

Coree approaches every task with dedication, positivity, and zero hesitation. Whether she’s collecting patient urine samples, rescheduling appointments, or assisting patients with paperwork, she does it all with patience and genuine care. When she notices a patient struggling, she doesn’t wait to be asked—she steps into the lobby and helps them with whatever they need.

What truly sets Coree apart is her willingness to take ownership. She doesn’t pass tasks off to others; she completes them herself, ensuring that every patient receives the highest level of service. Her commitment has transformed the front office experience for our Covington location, creating a smoother, more welcoming environment for both patients and staff.

Thank you, Coree, for everything you do for our patients and our practice. Your hard work and heart do not go unnoticed.

Photo of shining star winner

Sara Deen
Medical Assistant
$250 and a Trophy!

I am absolutely thrilled to announce that Sara Deen has been selected as our Shining Star for the month!
Since transitioning from the front of house to the clinical back office, Sara has demonstrated an inspiring level of dedication. She has become a highly versatile and skilled Medical Assistant, excelling in everything from thorough patient work-ups and diligent attention to detail to maintaining excellent time orientation and exceptional patient care.

What truly sets Sara apart is her proactive spirit. She never lets uncertainties slow her down; instead, she faces every challenge with a professional, can-do attitude and a constant eagerness to learn.

Our patients have certainly noticed her impact, too. One patient recently shared: “She is such a sweetheart, I love her energy.” Whether she is supporting her peers or making a patient feel comfortable with her “smile for the ages,” Sara embodies the very best of what our company stands for.

Please join me in congratulating Sara on this well-deserved recognition. We are beyond proud of her hard work and excited to see her continue to grow with us!