Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) recently recognized Juan Garcia, a security coordinator with NGHS, as the 2024 Employee of the Year and renamed that award in honor of President and CEO Carol Burrell.
“Given Carol’s role in helping to define and nurture NGHS’ culture, it only seems fitting that this award be renamed the Carol H. Burrell Employee of the Year Award,” said Spence Price, chair of the NGHS board.
Each year, the selection committee is tasked with selecting one of the system’s Employees of the Month to receive the system’s highest honor at its annual service awards celebration. Juan Garcia, a former Army Ranger, has been with the system for 15 years. He is described as a consummate professional who is incredibly kind and is well respected both within the walls of NGHS and out in the community. His colleagues say they admire his willingness to lead by example and his readiness to assist without hesitation.
“It is truly a pleasure to present the first Carol H. Burrell Employee of the Year Award to Juan,” Burrell said. “He truly brings his best every day and exemplifies NGHS’ core values and competencies. His quiet, calm presence protecting our staff, patients and visitors is important work that I know we are all thankful for.”
Along with Garcia, NGHS had more than 1,000 employees celebrate milestone anniversaries with the system – including 12 employees for 40+ years of service.