HCA honors MSH colleagues

Five Memorial Satilla Health colleagues have been named recipients of HCA Healthcare’s Awards of Distinction, recognizing their commitment to patients, colleagues and the Waycross community.

The Awards of Distinction are among HCA’s highest honors for colleagues, doctors and volunteers. The recognitions celebrate individuals who reflect the organization’s values through exceptional care, service and leadership.

The 2026 MSH honorees are:

• Dr. William Clark III: Frist Humanitarian Award for physicians; • Jamie Gaskins: Coordinator of outreach services for the laboratory, Frist Humanitarian Award for employees;

• Teresa Lavender, RN: medical- surgical care, Excellence in Nursing Award for Professional Mentoring;

• Erica Walker, RN: critical care, recipient of the Excellence in Nursing Award for Compassionate Care;

• Beth Rogers: hospital auxiliary member, retired laboratory director, Frist Humanitarian Award for volunteers.

Dr. Clark, a Waycross-based ophthalmologist, has served the hospital in some capacity for more than 40 years. Gaskins has been part of the MSH team for 12 years, Lavender for 11 years and Walker for three years. Rogers has volunteered at the hospital since 2017 and served on the auxiliary board for eight years.

Rogers also was named the HCA Healthcare South Atlantic Division winner for the Frist Humanitarian Award for volunteers. She now will be considered for an enterprise-level award.

Memorial Satilla’s 2025 and 2026 award recipients were recognized during a recent ceremony at the hospital. Last year’s recipients include longtime nurses Pam Jones of critical care and Lisa Grantham of surgical services, as well as Chaplain Steve Boatright. Jones and Boatright also were recognized as division-level winners last year.

Dr. Clark, Rogers and Gaskins are Waycross natives. Lavender lives in Alma, and Walker in Blackshear.

Dr. Clark’s career in medicine began in the early 1980s, when he earned an undergraduate degree from Davidson College in North Carolina before earning his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia. He returned to Waycross in 1983 and continues to practice at Clark Eye Clinic on Isabella Street.

“Above all else, we’re committed to the care and improvement of human life. He lives our mission through his daily service to our local community,” MSH Chief Executive Officer Damon Barrett said of Dr. Clark. “He continues to demonstrate his commitment to meeting our community’s healthcare needs and supporting the well-being of those we serve.”

Gaskins recently earned a national histology certification and completed her Bachelor’s Degree in health services. She also mentors new colleagues and helps support their onboarding.

“Jamie demonstrates concern for the welfare and happiness of patients, as well as a commitment to community service beyond her daily responsibilities,” Barrett said. “She also demonstrates genuine humility when working with her colleagues and patients. Jamie takes initiative and shows great leadership in advocating for patients and their families.”

During her tenure at MSH, Lavender has worked exclusively in medical-surgical units. She also helps support other units when staffing needs arise.

“Teresa consistently demonstrates compassion toward her patients and coworkers and is a true asset to her department and our organization,” MSH Chief nursing Officer Jen Weaver said. “She also demonstrates personal modesty and genuine humility. Teresa is routinely recognized by patients and their family members for providing excellent patient care.”

Walker serves patients as a critical care nurse and supports new nurses as a mentor.

“Erica takes initiative and demonstrates great leadership in advocating for her patients and for the nursing profession,” Weaver said. “She’s a mentor for new nurses and a positive supporter of her coworkers. She reflects the spirit of HCA Healthcare through her daily commitment to the care and improvement of human life.”

Rogers was a hospital laboratory director for more than 40 years before becoming a MSH volunteer.

“Beth was always a great resource to her colleagues, and she remains that way with our volunteers,” said Greg O’Quinn, MSH Vice President of Human Resources. “She helps organize our quarterly blood drives and is known to everyone who donates blood as the ‘Pound Cake Lady’ because she gives each donor a homemade pound cake loaf.”