Barbara Hart - The Herndon Company 

VSU ranked among best

VALDOSTA — Valdosta State University is one of the best colleges and universities in the nation when it comes to distance education, according to U.S. News and World Report’s 2017 Best Online Programs rankings.

It marks the sixth year, the publication has numerically ranked online-degree programs, with the annual rankings being described as one of the most extensive evaluations of United States-based distance education programs ever published, according to a VSU press release. VSU earned coveted spots on the publication’s 2017 Best Online Graduate Education Programs and 2017 Best Online MBA Programs lists.

“This recognition is a tribute to the talented and dedicated faculty whose tremendous expertise and commitment to student success have resulted in the robust, student-centered programs that have made VSU a leader in online education across the state and nationally,” said Meg H. Giddings, director of VSU’s Office of Extended Learning. “Our tradition of high-quality, in-demand online programs and majors, as well as the innovative VSU spirit, continually create new opportunities for Georgia and other learners. We are proud to offer our online students outstanding opportunities to earn their degrees via virtual delivery while still providing the exceptional program quality and student services available to our on-campus students.”

VSU came in at No. 123 on U.S. News and World Report’s 2017 Best Online Graduate Education Programs list. A total of 278 public, private, and for-profit institutions of higher education were evaluated in this category.

VSU came in at No. 160 on U.S. News and World Report’s 2017 Best Online MBA Programs list. A total of 255 public, private, and for-profit institutions of higher education across the nation were evaluated in this category.

VSU offers more than 50 bachelor’s, master’s, specialist, and doctoral degrees; endorsements; certificates; and minors online, according to the press release.

 

Wiregrass online among nation’s best

VALDOSTA — Wiregrass Georgia Technical College has been recognized as one of the best online colleges in the nation by The Community for Accredited Online Schools (AccreditedSchoolsOnline.org).

The site released its annual ranking for the 2016-2017 school year, honoring Wiregrass Georgia Technical College four times for its excellence in online learning, according to a press release.

The Community for Accredited Online Schools awards college programs on campus as well as online programs. The on-campus programs that were recognized are cosmetology, dental hygiene, medical assistant and electrician. To learn more about the programs, visit wiregrass.edu.

To qualify for the ranking, schools must hold public or private not-for-profit status, carry institutional accreditation, and offer at least three online degree programs. Top schools are determined by a scoring system that uses value-based methodology, analyzing several qualitative and quantitative data points.

Wiregrass is currently registering new students for Spring B Term classes which start Feb. 14. For those who are interested in a tour of the campus, or to apply, visit wiregrass.edu.

 

Herndon observes anniversaries

VALDOSTA — The Herndon Company recognized several realtors and employees for their dedicated service to the real estate industry and The Herndon Company: Ann Guess, 30 years; Barbara Hart, 24 years; Buddy Bumgarner, 22 years; Jon Bollinger, nine years; Stacy Touchton, five years; DoraLe Smith, three years. James Lee Herndon, broker/owner, presented the recognition of achievement at the company’s awards/sales meeting at Friends Café.

Herndon names quarter employee

VALDOSTA — The Herndon Company recognized Elisabeth Lowther as Employee of the Fourth Quarter for her “devotion and loyalty to the company; her quality of work and her friendly and helpful attitude toward customers, clients and co-workers,” according to a press release.

Correction officers needed

ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Labor’s Thomasville Career Center will help Autry State Prison recruit 17 correctional officers to work in Pelham.

The recruitment will be held on 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24, at the career center located at 403 N. Broad St., Thomasville.

All applicants must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or a general education diploma and a valid driver’s license. Also, applicants must be able to pass a drug-screening test, a physical-training test and a criminal background check.

The starting salary is $27,936 a year. Benefits include a 401K plan, annual and sick leave, along with dental and health insurance.

Applicants are encouraged to bring a resume and dress appropriately to improve their opportunities for employment.

For more information about the jobs, or to apply online, visit employgeorgia.com to create an account and upload, or prepare, a resume. Having an Employ Georgia account expedites the interview process.

For more information about the recruitment, contact the GDOL’s Thomasville Career Center at (229) 225-4033. The career center is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Visit dol.georgia.gov to learn more about career opportunities, Employ Georgia and other GDOL services for job seekers and employers, and to connect with us on social media.

Phlebotomists named SGMC heroes

VALDOSTA — Lonnie Harris and Tyler Allen, phlebotomists in South Georgia Medical Center’s emergency department, were named Hospital Heroes at the Hospital Authority of Valdosta Lowndes County board of directors meeting.

In an effort to improve lab specimen collection, Interim Administrative Director of Laboratory Services Ron Riffle employed Harris and Allen as full-time phlebotomists to strictly serve patients in that department, according to a press release. Phlebotomists are medical technicians specially trained to draw blood from a patient’s body as a tool to help health-care professionals reach a medical analysis.

Since they began in July, issues with problematic blood cultures have been reduced to 1.1 percent, well below the Joint Commission quality standard of less than or equal to 3 percent. The time between physician orders and collection has also decreased by an average of 50 minutes. Additionally, reports show a 50 percent reduction in recollection rates from clotted, hemolyzed, or quantity not sufficient specimens.

“This has a positive impact on patient care by reducing the time a patient spends in the emergency department,” Chief Operating Officer Heath Evans said. “This is one of many changes being made to improve the emergency department experience at SGMC.”

There have been multiple occasions where patients have praised Harris and Allen for their compassion and skills, according to the press release.