Unsurpassed Patient Experience

They say it takes a village to raise a child, but do you know about the village that works to deliver a baby?  

Ryan and Mackenzie Budzinsky were married in 2017, the same year that Mackenzie began her career at SGMC Health as a Labor & Delivery (L&D) nurse. Ever since she was a little girl, she has been in awe of babies and how God-entwined they are. That, combined with the adrenaline rush of never knowing what's going to come through the door, makes her job an exciting one. 

That exhilarating atmosphere creates endless bonding experiences for the staff. Mackenzie describes her coworkers as "work sisters" and "work moms" who are truly more like family. 

In Fall 2022, the Budzinskys found out that they were expecting their first child. Mackenzie could not wait to tell her work family and begin the journey that she has helped so many patients through.

Her pregnancy announcement was not the only surprise, as Mackenzie and Ryan decided to keep the baby's gender a surprise as well. That is, after Mackenzie convinced her husband.

"Surprise deliveries have always been my favorite since I started working in L&D," she shared. "The excitement and atmosphere in the room is incomparable!"

After a long and beautiful pregnancy, it was finally time to have the baby in June 2023. Being on the other side as a patient was certainly a new experience for Mackenzie.

"Most people think being an L&D nurse makes everything so much easier because you 'know everything', but in all honesty 'knowing everything' makes it so much worse," she shared. "You know of all the risks involved in pregnancy and delivery."

However, Mackenzie said that she had 100% confidence in the entire L&D team.

"Cancer has shown me, like the song says, to live like I was dying. Back in 2012 when my first wife was diagnosed, I dared not dream of the blessings in the making," says Gregory.  

He has vowed to enjoy his life, witnessing both his boys graduate college and establish fulfilling careers, as well as meeting his second wife, Mary, and enjoying their grandchildren.  

"I just want people to know there can be life after cancer, and for me it has been very good," shared Gregory.

A few hours after that scare, he got his wife and children in the room together and said, “Do yall have any opposition to me letting you call Hospice?” 

Everyone was in agreement, so his wife called HOSG, and they came to his home the next day with equipment and machines in tow. 

“The first few months were kind of rocky," shared McMullen. He described how his hospice care team made modifications to his medications in order to keep him as comfortable as possible. 

Some days were better than others, but McMullen took it one day at a time and remained grateful for each passing day. 

At one point, HOSG Case Manager Robyn Mosteiko-Jalbert and Social Worker Sherry Tierney recommended that McMullen and his wife get out of the house and have a beach vacation. McMullen was hesitant. “What am I going to do if I need you all?” he asked. 

Robyn made arrangements for a hospice in Jacksonville, Florida, to be on standby in case the McMullens needed anything. 

When they arrived back home from the trip, McMullen was grateful, but more than anything, glad to be home. 

“The greatest blessings were being able to have an extended honeymoon with my wife, being able to enjoy my family, and being able to talk and communicate.” 

Each time he had a bad day, he wondered how much longer he would have with his family. He put his faith in God to determine that timeline. 

“We’ll just leave it in His hands. As long as it’s intended to be, it will be,” he said. 

At the same time, McMullen credits his Hospice team for keeping him going. 

Tony Small, Sr. never thought he would have a stroke. In late November 2023, he walked outside his house in Fargo, Georgia, to check the mail. The next thing he knew, he was on the ground in his front yard. 

 "I couldn't walk. I was frozen," shared Tony. "Somehow, I dug my fingers into the dirt and basically crawled my way back into my house." 

He made it inside and beat on the wall to get his brother's attention. His brother immediately knew something was wrong and dialed 911. 

 When emergency medical services arrived, they asked Tony if he had a preference for which hospital he'd like to be taken to. Fargo, a rural city of approximately 250 people in Clinch County, is 30 miles from the nearest hospital. He chose SGMC Health, a Level III Trauma Center nearly an hour away. 

 Tony arrived at the emergency department at SGMC Health Main, and doctors and nurses worked quickly to treat him.  

After a 4-night stay in the hospital, the neurologist recommended that Tony continue his recovery in Inpatient Rehab. The rehab unit provides services for patients who have suffered a functional loss due to a disabling illness or injury. For someone like Tony who is recovering from a stroke, this includes intense therapy of all three disciplines: physical, occupational, and speech. 

When he was moved to the unit, Tony felt defeated. He told his care team that he would never walk again. They quickly corrected him. 

"I came in here saying 'I can't' and they said 'that's the wrong word,'" he shared. 

Tony got to work on his rehabilitation journey with a positive, professional, and uplifting team at his side, cheering him on every step of the way. He quickly noticed that he was making great progress as long as he followed their guidance. His mindset completely changed. 

During his daily routine, he spent 90 minutes on occupational therapy, focused on learning how to regain the ability to dress, bathe, perform hygiene and grooming independently, and regain strength in his left arm. Another 90 minutes of physical therapy focused on regaining independence with transfers, bed mobility, and walking, as well as regaining strength in his left leg. Speech therapy worked on problem- solving, making sure his diet was safe, and speech intelligibility.  

Tony said that the 90-minute sessions flew by, and he felt every part of his body working. 

When not in therapy, Tony enjoyed interacting with other patients when in the therapy gym together and encouraged others, just as he was being encouraged.  

"If you really think about it and put your mind to it, you can do it," he shares. "The only thing you have to do is listen and learn, and you will come out on top." 

He is effusive in his praise for the entire inpatient rehab team, bragging about their professionalism and care.

When asked to give advice to someone else who may need rehabilitation, Tony says, "I hate for anyone to have an injury, but if you do, come to SGMC Health." 

At the time of giving his testimonial, Tony has been in the rehab unit for a full month. While his recovery continues, he says that he has enjoyed his time with his new friends. 

"Since I got here, I hated to leave," he shared. "That’s hard to say that you hate to leave a hospital.”  

In SGMC Health's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), a specialized unit within the hospital that provides around-the-clock care for premature babies and those born with medical complications, a dedicated team of healthcare professionals goes beyond the call of duty. 

They take time to ensure that every moment, no matter how small, is filled with love, compassion, and a touch of celebration.  

While their primary focus is providing specialized medical care to the tiniest and most vulnerable patients, the NICU staff understands the importance of creating meaningful experiences for both babies and their families so that no baby misses their "first" special occasion.  

"Whether it is Easter, Christmas, Valentine's, Thanksgiving, Halloween, or even Superbowl Sunday... we want to ensure our babies are celebrated for their incredible resilience," shared Kendra Butenschon, RN, Patient Care Coordinator.

"We always ask permission from their parents to include them in our themed photoshoots and love to see their response to our creativity!” 

SGMC Health Marketing Manager Kara Hope Hanson shares, "Our NICU babies have become social media stars, and our followers and community members look forward to being able to celebrate them and cheer them on."  

By creating meaningful experiences and fostering a sense of community and connection, the NICU staff not only deliver exceptional care but also leave an indelible mark on the hearts of all who pass through their doors or see the cute photos online. In the midst of life's greatest challenges, they are beacons of hope, love, and light, guiding families through the darkest of times and celebrating every milestone, no matter how small. 

SGMC Health has the region's only Level IIB NICU and 24/7 neonatal coverage. Additionally, AngelEye Health video technology allows parents and family members to view their baby and communicate with staff any time using a mobile app. For more information on SGMC Health's labor and delivery services, visit sgmc.org.

At the age of 84, Angela Harrell, affectionately known as Angie, embarked on a new chapter in her life at SGMC Health Villa, a skilled nursing facility in Lakeland, Georgia. Realizing she was having difficulty managing her medications and experiencing mobility issues, her daughters, Joan and Rosemary, began carefully exploring potential living options. Impressed by the Villa's charm and cleanliness, the family, along with Angie, decided it would be her new home. 

Initially, Angie was concerned with the notion of finding home in a new place – place that would also be a safe space for her to move around with her decreased mobility. Little did she know, the residents and staff at the Villa would become like a second family to her. The welcoming environment, coupled with the efforts of Elizabeth Bishop "Biz", activities director, facilitated connections and friendships that quickly eased Angie into her new home. She also always looks forward to her regular visits from family and friends. 

For Angie, the standout feature of the Villa has been the kindness shown by the nursing staff. Beyond their professional roles, they have become a part of Angie's extended family. Angie reserves special praise for Sabrina, Certified Nursing Assistant, whose exceptional care has been heartwarming to her. The kitchen staff and dietician, meticulous housekeeping, and the dynamic duo of activities – "Biz" and Selena – have also made a positive impression on her. 

"We have so much fun here, and the activities staff do such a great job keeping us entertained," says Angie, "I love to play bingo! We have someone who comes in and does our hair on Wednesdays and Selena even gives us manicures." 

Adding an extra layer of joy to her new home is her daughter Rosemary's dog, Lily – a certified pet therapy dog. Lily's regular visits bring smiles not only to Angie, but to all of the residents.  

"I enjoy bringing Lily to SGMC Health Villa because she brings so much joy to the faces of the residents," says Rosemary. "Pet therapy has been shown to reduce depression and create positive emotional responses in the elderly. Lily is a very special dog and has a calming effect on those around her. She also loves all the attention she receives, so it's a win-win!" 

Sometimes life comes full circle. It did in Angie's case. She married and raised her children in Lakeland and now has returned in her golden years to live at the Villa where she enjoys visits from life-long friends and family. 

Angie's experience at the Villa echoes the facility's commitment to fostering an environment that goes beyond just a place to live. It's a testament to the creation of a warm welcoming home that not only cares for residents but enriches their lives with companionship, engaging activities, and a sense of belonging. 

To learn more about SGMC Health Villa, visit sgmc.org. 

Within the heart of SGMC Health's commitment to exceptional senior care lies Langdale Place—a 103-unit senior living facility that embodies the essence of warmth, community, and family-like bonds. At Langdale Place, it's not just about providing a place to reside; it's about fostering an environment where residents thrive, thanks to the collective efforts of a dedicated staff.

From the moment residents step through the doors of Langdale Place, they are welcomed into a world where every day holds the promise of new experiences and cherished connections. The staff is comprised of compassionate individuals who view their work as more than just a job. They go above and beyond to ensure that each resident feels valued, supported, and truly at home.

With an array of social activities and outings carefully curated by the staff, Langdale Place buzzes with life and excitement. Whether it's lively socials, enriching day trips to surrounding communities, delightful shopping excursions, or the beloved "Around the World with Robin" event featuring culinary delights from various countries, there's always something to spark joy and create lasting memories. 

"The staff at Langdale Place are like family to me," says resident Betty Frazier, reflecting on her experience. "They make every day special, from birthday celebrations to holiday gatherings. Living here feels like being part of a warm, welcoming community, and I wouldn't trade it for anything."