BRUNSWICK, Georgia: June 17, 2011– James “Mac” McMillan,
R.N., was presented with the inaugural Star of the Year Award at Southeast
Georgia Health System by Gary R. Colberg, FACHE, president and CEO, at
the Celebration of the Stars dinner held Wednesday, June 15, in the Lanier
Ballroom of the King & Prince Resort on St. Simons Island. Also in
attendance and providing closing remarks was Michael D. Hodges, chair
of the Glynn-Brunswick Memorial Hospital Authority. He acknowledged the
contributions of each Star of the Quarter and the Star of the Year. “The
Health System is more than just pretty buildings and fancy equipment.
You are truly stars!” Hodges said. “You set a shining example
of care and compassion for your patients and fellow team members. It is
my honor to recognize you for your extraordinary accomplishments.”
The Health System launched the program as part of the organization’s
service excellence initiative to recognize those team members who go well
beyond normal expectations. Stars of the Quarter are nominated and selected
by their fellow team members for demonstrating one or more of the following
service excellence standards: accountability, compassion, dedication,
empowerment, initiative, ownership and teamwork in their interactions
with patients, visitors and/or fellow team members. From among the Stars
of the Quarter, McMillan was chosen to receive the first Star of the Year honor.
McMillan, who works the night shift in the Emergency Care Center on the
Camden Campus, was nominated by his department team members for going
out of his way to help a young couple, said Gary R. Colberg, FACHE, president
& CEO, Southeast Georgia Health System.
“A young couple, who had no friends or family locally, brought their
two small children to the Emergency Care Center early one Sunday morning.
Not only were the children ill, their car was broken down,” Colberg
said. “Mac stepped in, making phone calls to find someone to fix
the car and checking the cafeteria to make sure someone could provide
them with a meal. Although it was the end of his shift, he offered to
pay for a hotel room while they waited on the car repairs and gave them
his phone number in case they needed anything. Because of everything he
did to help, a committee of his peers selected him as the first Star of
the Quarter at the Camden Campus and now as the Health System’s
very first Star of the Year.”
The other Health System Stars of the Quarter who were considered for the
award were:
- Georgette Bourque, recently retired rehabilitation services technician,
Rehabilitation Services, Brunswick Campus;
- Sandra Myers, CNA, nursing assistant, Medical Surgical Unit, Camden Campus;
- John Nave, security officer, Brunswick Campus;
- Heidi Shedd, department support coordinator, Brantley Family Medicine Center;
- Kim Simmons, technician, Environmental Services, Camden Campus;
- Lynda Stoyer, executive assistant, Human Resources, Brunswick Campus;
- Jammie Witt, R.N., Outpatient Services, Camden Campus;
“We are so proud of Mac and all of our other nominees for their dedication
to others and upholding our service excellence standards,” said
Howard W. Sepp Jr., FACHE, vice president, administrator, Camden Campus.
“Mac is known for his service attitude toward others. He always
welcomes new team members and helps orient them to the department. His
fellow team members also say he has a positive attitude and is fair and
courteous to everyone he meets. Mac is known for the love and dedication
he shows his patients and for always going above and beyond to serve others.
He is truly a shining example of everything a Health System team member
should be and we are proud to have Mac as a member of the Health System
family.”
McMillan joined the Health System in 2008 after serving 21 years in the
Marine Corps. He and his wife Tonja live in Kingsland and have three children
and five grandchildren.
Also on-hand to make congratulatory remarks were Carl Alexander, vice chair,
and Carla Yarbrough from the Glynn-Brunswick Memorial Hospital Authority;
and Rose Andrews and Mark Kevan from the Camden Campus Advisory Board.
Many Health System team members and friends were in attendance.