Submitted photoMayor John Gayle presents Ronnie Lancaster with a plaque for employee of the month.

SGMC earns accreditation

VALDOSTA — South Georgia Medical Center has been granted American Association of Blood Banks accreditation for transfusion activities.

Accreditation follows an intensive on-site assessment by specially trained AABB assessors and establishes that the level of technical and administrative performance within the facility meets or exceeds the standards set by the AABB, according to a SGMC press release.

By successfully meeting the requirements, SGMC joins similar facilities located throughout the United States and around the world that have earned AABB accreditation.

“The AABB’s accreditation procedures are voluntary,” said Dr. J. William Hanson, MD, SGMC pathologist and laboratory medical director. “SGMC has maintained this accreditation since 1958 because the program promotes a level of professional and technical expertise that contributes to quality performance and patient safety.”

Furthermore, the accreditation program received “deemed status” from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid which means accredited facilities meet or exceed the conditions required by federal law and regulations.

306 North named Leading Business

VALDOSTA – The Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors honored 306 North as Leading Business of the Week.

Candice Maples, general manager of 306 North, said the restaurant prides itself on “staying up to date with food trends,” including “farm-to-table” ethics and “vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options.” Local produce and honey add the fresh taste of home to 306 North’s dishes.

“I love being a part of what feels like a big family,” Maples said. “The customers of 306 North add to the warm environment and it is awesome getting to know them.”

Maples thanked the chamber for providing businesses with “excellent networking opportunities,” calling the chamber “the tie between government, business and the community.”

The business is open 11a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday and for 5-10 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

The Leading Business of the Week program is designed to recognize members who have partnered with the chamber for at least five years. The 2018 Leading Business of the Week program is sponsored by Colson Business Systems. For more information, visit www.ValdostaChamber.com/Leading-Business-of-the-Week.

Herndon names quarterly employee

VALDOSTA — The Herndon Company announced at its monthly sales meeting at Friends Cafe that Brooke Webb, secretary for the company, was chosen as the employee of the quarter for the fourth quarter of 2017. 

Webb has been a dedicated employee with The Herndon Company  for two years, according to an organizational press release. Webb is a native of Nashville, Ga. She graduated from Berrien High School in 2014 and is currently attending Georgia Military College. She is a member of Flat Creek Baptist Church.

 Lancaster honored as January employee

VALDOSTA — Valdosta Mayor John Gayle and Utilities Director Darryl Muse honored Ronnie Lancaster, backflow prevention program coordinator, as the January 2018 Employee of the Month.

Lancaster received a framed certificate, a check for $200, and his name appears on a plaque displayed in City Hall.

Lancaster has been employed for 19 years with the Utilities Department, where he is responsible for all backflow devices throughout the city and ensures any commercial backflow devices are in compliance with city code. As the backflow prevention coordinator, he maintains a 98 percent compliance record of backflow devices tested and inspected throughout the city.

Recently, he took on the additional position of the fats, oil and grease coordinator, willingly and expertly handling both of his positions while the city searched for a new coordinator, according to city officials.

Even with the additional workload, Lancaster was able to effectively work with businesses to achieve almost 90 percent compliance with the FOG program. 

In addition, during the previous two hurricanes that impacted Valdosta, he volunteered to be on call to help any department during the emergency situations. His team-oriented attitude and willingness to do whatever needs to be done are highly respected by his peers and leadership, according to a city press release.