Submitted photoKauffman Tire was named Beautiful Business for April. Pictured are Robert Braggs, Kauffman employee; H. Aaron Strickland, K.L.V.B. Executive Director; Candace Arnold, V.J.W.C.; L:arry Brown, Kauffman Store Manager; Isaac Moore, David Holmes, and Dennis Harrison, Kauffman employees.   

Habitat for Humanity named Leading Business

VALDOSTA – The Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors honored the Valdosta-Lowndes County Habitat for Humanity as the leading business of the week.

The Valdosta-Lowndes County Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit housing ministry dedicated to eliminating substandard housing in our community, according to a chamber press release. The mission is to create “A world where everyone has a decent place to live.”

In the past five years, no other Habitat for Humanity affiliate has built more homes in Georgia, outside Metro Atlanta, than Valdosta-Lowndes County, according to the chamber. It has constructed nearly $20 million in new and rehabbed low-cost affordable housing.

It has built more than 200 homes and helped more than 400 families in the Valdosta area.

The Valdosta-Lowndes County Habitat for Humanity “loves having the community and the chamber behind them making all of their success possible,” according to the chamber.

“In my opinion, the chamber is, and should be, the beacon for why Valdosta-Lowndes County is where your business and your family can grow and be all that they can be,” said Stuart Mullis, Habitat director.

In addition to quantity, Habitat for Humanity focuses on the quality of its homes. The houses have significantly reduced energy consumption for their homeowners. Habitat has recently become the only Energy Star Certified Builder in Valdosta.

The Valdosta-Lowndes County Habitat for Humanity is located at 2010 Cypress St. and can be contacted by calling (229) 245-1330.

Eutzler new partner at law firm

VALDOSTA — Matthew E. “Matt” Eutzler has been named a partner in the law firm of Moore, Clarke, DuVall & Rodgers, P.C., with offices in Albany, Atlanta, Savannah and Valdosta.

Eutzler, a native of Seminole, Fla., practices in the firm’s Valdosta office primarily concentrating on business law, as well as commercial banking litigation, according to a press release from the law firm.

Eutzler earned his undergraduate degree from Auburn University. He received his law degree from Stetson University College of Law and has since practiced law in both Georgia and Florida.

Updike receives DAISY Award

VALDOSTA — Max Updike, registered nurse at South Georgia Medical Center on 3 West, received the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses for April.

The award is part of the international DAISY Foundation developed to recognize the amazing care provided by nurses every day, according to an SGMC press release.

Updike was nominated by his colleague, Tim Sirmans, who said, “Not all things can be fixed by a health-care professional’s knowledge or medicine, but cured by the smallest thing such as one’s time, attention, heart and touch.”

On Feb. 11, Updike’s patient was experiencing confusion and became disoriented. She was tired of lying restlessly in bed while family caregivers slept. The bed alarm activated and Updike went to check on her, according to the press release.

After 30 minutes, fellow nurses began wondering where he was and went to find him. As they approached the patient’s room, Updike sat at the side of the bed coloring with the patient.

“Pure joy and happiness exuded from the patient as they sat together coloring their own pictures,” according to the press release.

“Most people would have awoken the family to handle the patient’s restlessness, but not Max,” Sirmans said. “He gave this patient his undivided attention and most of all offered that human touch. He is a true example of a DAISY and his actions went far beyond what is expected that day.”

SGMC asks patients and employees to honor nurses they feel go above and beyond in their care. Nominations are reviewed by a committee based on criteria that include compassion, teamwork, leadership, attitude and skills and knowledge.

To nominate a nurse for the DAISY award, visit www.sgmc.org/DAISYaward

Team-Britt cuts ribbon

VALDOSTA — The Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors recently held a ribbon cutting ceremony as part of Team-Britt Mobile Game Arcade’s grand opening.

Unlike most businesses, Team-Britt’s location is mobile. Team-Britt Mobile Game Arcade is an independent, family-owned and operated business servicing Valdosta and surrounding areas. Its mission is to bring the “ultimate video gaming experience right to your front door,” according to a chamber press release.

“Team-Britt Mobile Game Arcade is ideal for everything from birthday parties, school events, festivals, charity events and fund-raisers. They provide the ultimate video games on huge plasma screens in a climate-controlled mobile gaming center. They are thrilled to bring this innovative experience to their community and are excited to see what their future holds.”

More information on Team-Britt Mobile Game Arcade, call (229) 251-8013.

 

Azalea Health expands

VALDOSTA – Azalea Health , a provider of fully integrated cloud-based health-care solutions and services, has acquired LeonardoMD, a complete practice management and electronic health records provider.

“The move further cements the privately held Azalea as a leader in the cloud-based Health IT and medical billing solutions space, expanding both the breadth of health-care specialties serviced and the geographic reach across the United States,” according to a company press release.

Azalea services include fully integrated and proprietary EHR, revenue cycle management, telemedicine and professional consulting solutions that have the flexibility to accommodate close to 30 medical specialties across any size practice, according to the company. 

Baha Zeidan, founder and CEO of Azalea Health, will continue to lead the company.

“We’re truly excited about bringing these two organizations together,” he said. “LeonardoMD has built a tremendous reputation for service and it shows in the long tenure of both their client and employee relationships, something that we look forward to continuing to expand and improve upon. Together we’ll bring incredibly meaningful products and services to our clients that will help them better run their businesses and deliver excellent patient care.”

“The bedrock of our success has been our ability to bring great technology and service together for our clients,” said Dr. Ralph Holmes, the former CEO of LeonardoMD, who will continue to serve as a physician advisor to Azalea throughout the transition. “This move allows us to continue to deliver on that promise with an expanded reach, portfolio and strategic vision under the Azalea brand. I look forward to seeing our clients, partners and employees thrive as a result of this decision.”

Azalea will maintain its headquarters in Atlanta and continue operations in its Valdosta, and Macon offices, with more than 100 total employees across the country.

City names employees of the month

VALDOSTA – Valdosta Mayor John Gayle and Fire Chief Freddie Broome honored Administrative Battalion Chief Johnny Henry and Special Operations Capt. Jeffrey Thibodeau as the April Employees of the Month. 

Henry and Thibodeau both received a framed certificate and a check for $200 and their names appear on a plaque displayed in City Hall, according to a city press release.

Thibodeau is responsible for managing the Georgia Search and Rescue and Haz-Mat teams, coordinating regional specialty rescue training and conducting hazardous material site surveys.

Henry is responsible for assisting the department with daily operations, overseeing the hiring and promotional process, ISO internal auditing and serving as the health and wellness administrator. 

Together, they have more than three decades of experience as Valdosta Fire Department professionals.

In December 2016, a mother with an infant child stopped by Fire Station No. 1 in need of a new car seat, as the one she owned was unsafe, according to the city. The mother had an 11-hour drive ahead and was not financially able to purchase a new car seat. 

Henry and Thibodeau responded quickly to the situation by going to Walmart and purchasing a new car seat with some additional items. 

“Their kindness and generosity put the mother at ease and she was able to drive the rest of her trip while ensuring her infant child was safely secured in the vehicle,” according to the press release.

 

Backyard Retreat cuts ribbon

VALDOSTA — The Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new location of Backyard Retreat.

Backyard Retreat is a swimming pool company that specializes in providing pool supplies and maintenance services. Its newly renovated facility offers a larger selection of chemicals than ever before along with services, according to a chamber press release.

“Backyard Retreat’s owners are pool experts,” according to the chamber. “They have been in the industry for 25 years and are proud to promote unique services to Valdosta and its surrounding areas. Along with pool supplies and maintenance, they provide hot tubs, grills, pool liners and have recently branched out into building above ground pools.”

Backyard Retreat has been a member of the Chamber for more than 10 years. 

More information on Backyard Retreat: Call (229) 249-9440, or visit 3101 N. Ashley St. 

Kauffman named Beautiful Business 

VALDOSTA – Kauffman Tire, 3121 Inner Perimeter Road, was selected as Keep Lowndes/Valdosta Beautiful and Valdosta Junior Woman’s Club’s Beautiful Business for April for its efforts in beautification, litter prevention and building maintenance.

The Beautiful Business Award program was established by KLVB in partnership with VJWC in 1998 in order to positively reinforce businesses that are making a positive contribution to the overall beauty of the community, according to a KLVB press release.

Judging is based on the appearance of paint, molding, trim and structural surface, overall neatness, accessibility to and how well trash receptacles are maintained, visual impact of landscape and the use and preservation of trees. 

“Kauffman Tire always keeps both their property and building looking great,” said Candace Arnold, a VJWC representative.