Doctors Hospital of Augusta proudly recognized outstanding colleagues and volunteers at its 2025 Awards of Distinction, honoring individuals whose service and dedication embody the hospital’s mission to care for and improve human life.

This year’s celebration spotlighted three colleagues who reached an extraordinary milestone of 50 years of service:‌

• Frankie Piner, LPN on 4 East, was inspired by her time working with Dr. Joseph M. Still, founder of the Burn Center. She credits the hospital’s family-like culture as the reason for her five decades of service. (Picture one below: L-R Joanna Conley, CEO of Doctors Hospital and Frankie Piner)

• Ruth Tate, Housekeeper in Environmental Services, is a beloved member of the Inpatient Rehabilitation team on the 6th floor. Ruth takes great pride in creating clean, comfortable spaces for patients. (Picture two below: L-R Ruth Tate and Joanna Conley, CEO of Doctors Hospital.

‌• Carolyn Hill, Medical Technologist in the Laboratory, began her career in 1973 just before the hospital’s opening. She has worked in the same lab space since the first day the hospital opened and attributes her longevity to the colleagues she works alongside every day. (Picture three below: L-R Joanna Conley, CEO of Doctors Hospital, and Cecilia Thompson who accepted Carolyn Hill's award on her behalf)

“These colleagues have been the heart of our hospital for half a century,” said Joanna Conley, CEO of Doctors Hospital of Augusta. “Their loyalty, wisdom, and compassion are an inspiration to us all.”‌

HCA Healthcare Awards of Distinction

The HCA Healthcare Awards of Distinction recognize those whose professional and personal lives reflect our patient-centered, humanitarian, and entrepreneurial values. These honorees inspire us all to live out our mission of improving human life.

• Frist Humanitarian Employee Award: Houda Miloudi, RN, Burn Center

‌‌With more than 15 years of service at Doctors Hospital, Houda is known for her clinical excellence, mentorship, and compassion. Beyond the hospital walls, she has volunteered for over a decade at the Shifa Care Clinic in Augusta, where she provides free healthcare to uninsured patients and families in need. (Picture four below: L-R Joanna Conley, CEO of Doctors Hospital, Houda Miloudi, and Jeffrey Harden, Chief Nursing Officer of Doctors Hospital).

• Frist Humanitarian Volunteer Award: Evelyn Casey

‌‌The hospital posthumously honored Evelyn Casey, its longest-serving volunteer at the time of her passing last month. For 25 years, Evelyn dedicated her Fridays to greeting patients and families at the information desk. She also served as Vice President of the Doctors Hospital Guild and contributed to numerous local organizations, all while traveling the world and sharing joy with everyone she met. (Picture five below: L-R Evelyn Casey's daughter and granddaughter with Joanna Conley, CEO of Doctors Hospital).

“From colleagues who have dedicated 50 years of service, to Houda and Evelyn whose humanitarian efforts extend far beyond these walls, this celebration reflects the very best of our mission,” Conley said.

Doctors Hospital extends heartfelt congratulations to Carolyn, Frankie, Ruth, Houda, and the family of Evelyn Casey for their remarkable achievements and unwavering service to the community.

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