Five Memorial Satilla Health colleagues have been named recipients of HCA Healthcare’s Awards of Distinction, recognizing their commitment to patients, colleagues and the Waycross community.
The Awards of Distinction are among HCA’s highest honors for colleagues, doctors and volunteers. The recognitions celebrate individuals who reflect the organization’s values through exceptional care, service and leadership.
The 2026 Memorial Satilla Health honorees are:
- Dr. William Clark III, recipient of the Frist Humanitarian Award for physicians
- Jamie Gaskins, coordinator of outreach services for the laboratory, recipient of the Frist Humanitarian Award for employees
- Teresa Lavender, RN, medical-surgical nurse, recipient of the Excellence in Nursing Award for Professional Mentoring
- Erica Walker, RN, critical care nurse, recipient of the Excellence in Nursing Award for Compassionate Care
- Beth Rogers, hospital auxiliary member and retired laboratory director, recipient of the Frist Humanitarian Award for volunteers
Dr. Clark, a Waycross-based ophthalmologist, has served the hospital in some capacity for more than 40 years. Gaskins has been part of the Memorial Satilla Health team for 12 years, Lavender for 11 years and Walker for three years. Rogers has volunteered at Memorial Satilla Health since 2017 and has served on the auxiliary board for eight years.
Rogers also was named the HCA Healthcare South Atlantic Division winner for the Frist Humanitarian Award for volunteers. She will now be considered for an enterprise-level award, which will be announced during an upcoming ceremony at HCA Healthcare’s headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee.
Memorial Satilla’s 2025 and 2026 award recipients were recognized during a recent ceremony at the hospital. Last year’s recipients include longtime nurses Pam Jones of critical care and Lisa Grantham of surgical services, as well as Chaplain Steve Boatright. Jones and Boatright also were recognized as division-level winners last year.
Dr. Clark, Rogers and Gaskins are Waycross natives. Lavender lives in Alma, and Walker resides in Blackshear.
Dr. William Clark III, Frist Humanitarian Physician Award
Dr. Clark’s career in medicine began in the early 1980s, when he earned an undergraduate degree from Davidson College in North Carolina before earning his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia. He returned to Waycross in 1983 and continues to practice at Clark Eye Clinic on Isabella Street.
During his career, Dr. Clark has received the American Academy of Ophthalmology Achievement Award 14 times. In 2025, he completed his 24,000th eye surgery case at Memorial Satilla Health. Suite 3 in the hospital’s operating room is named in his honor.
Since 2006, Dr. Clark has served on the Okefenokee Swamp Park Association Board of Trustees, including as president and chairman. His passion for the Land of the Trembling Earth has been lifelong, and he is actively involved in efforts to apply for consideration by the U.S. Department of the Interior to place the Okefenokee Swamp on the list of World Heritage Sites.
“He lives our mission — Above all else, we are committed to the care and improvement of human life — through his daily service to our local community,” said Damon Barrett, CEO of Memorial Satilla Health. “He continues to demonstrate his commitment to meeting our community’s healthcare needs and supporting the well-being of those we serve.”
Jamie Gaskins, Frist Humanitarian Employee Award
Gaskins recently earned a national histology certification and completed her bachelor’s degree in health services. She also mentors new colleagues and helps support their onboarding.
“Jamie demonstrates concern for the welfare and happiness of patients, as well as a commitment to community service beyond her daily responsibilities,” Barrett said. “She also demonstrates genuine humility when working with her colleagues and patients. Jamie takes initiative and shows great leadership in advocating for patients and their families.”
Teresa Lavender, RN, Excellence in Nursing Award - Professional Mentoring
During her 11 years at Memorial Satilla Health, Lavender has worked exclusively in the medical-surgical nursing units. She also helps support other nursing units when staffing needs arise.
“Teresa consistently demonstrates compassion toward her patients and coworkers and is a true asset to her department and our organization,” said Jen Weaver, chief nursing officer at Memorial Satilla Health. “She also demonstrates personal modesty and genuine humility. Teresa is routinely recognized by patients and their family members for providing excellent patient care.”
Erica Walker, RN, Excellence in Nursing Award - Compassionate Care
Walker serves patients as a critical care nurse and supports new nurses as a mentor.
“Erica takes initiative and demonstrates great leadership in advocating for her patients and for the nursing profession,” Weaver said. “She is a mentor for new nurses and a positive supporter of her coworkers. She reflects the spirit of HCA Healthcare through her daily commitment to the care and improvement of human life.”
Beth Rogers, Frist Humanitarian Volunteer Award
Rogers worked as a hospital laboratory director for more than 40 years before becoming a volunteer at Memorial Satilla Health.
“Beth was always a great resource to her colleagues, and she remains that way with our volunteers,” said Greg O’Quinn, vice president of human resources at Memorial Satilla Health. “She helps organize our quarterly blood drives and is known to everyone who donates blood as the ‘Pound Cake Lady’ because she gives each donor a homemade pound cake loaf.”
