Our guest speakers offered presentations relative to current industry challenges. From trending health care topics to policy changes to stress management, each forum gave tips and techniques to maximize efficiency and enhance team management. In addition to these talks, attendees participated in breakout small group discussions, workshops, and simulation labs all focused on training, education, and support. Networking opportunities and relaxed social hours rounded out the event for some much-needed time catching up with colleagues.
Once again, this year, we recognized the dedication our teams and partners show each day, celebrating the outstanding work of certain clinicians who took their commitment to the next level in 2021. We honored these professionals with accolades as Medical Director of the Year, Lead APC of the Year, or Lead CRNA of the Year and shared our deep appreciation for their expertise. ApolloMD stands stronger with members such as these.
Medical Directors of the Year
Emergency Medicine
Scott Centers, MD
Scott Centers, MD
“Dr. Centers is a tireless champion for the patients and his team – a true servant leader,” commented Yogin Patel, MD, ApolloMD President. “Not only does he demand excellence from his fellow physicians, consultants and administrators, he is an extraordinary example of selflessness in the medical profession. As a previous nurse and paramedic, his ability to empathize with the team, to align our goals for care, and to execute is remarkable. He has led his team through the devastating pandemic with determination and has worked to improve the Emergency Department capacity, quality and patient satisfaction. A well-deserved award for an outstanding partner!”
Kevin Hardwell, MD
Floyd Medical Center
“Kevin is the epitome of the steady hand,” remarked Dr. Josh Hargraves, ApolloMD Regional President. “He was with ApolloMD prior to me joining the company and has been with his hospital system longer than I can remember. He has guided his busy hospital team through a very difficult and tumultuous two years and continues to improve ED operations while building a stronger team every year. He is the perfect example of a leader who, when the going gets tough and everything is on fire around you, his team knows they can depend on.”
Ashley Orr, MD
Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center
“It was a pleasure to award Dr. Ashely Orr the outstanding medical director award for his leadership at Wellstar West Georgia,” professed Dr. Brett Cannon, ApolloMD Divisional President. “Dr. Orr has continued to develop a core team of doctors and advanced practice clinicians in LaGrange. Under his guidance, the Wellstar WGH ER group continues to excel in both clinical and operational metrics. He has also helped guide the development of a trauma program at WGH and improved a number of ER processes as well as collaborative work groups with nursing and other physician and hospital services.”
Hospital Medicine
Mariha Feliciano, MD
Piedmont Columbus Regional Northside Campus
“Dr. Mariha Feliciano has been an outstanding director for hospital medicine at Piedmont Northside,” confirmed Dr. Marty Duclos, ApolloMD Chief Medical Officer, Hospital Medicine. “She has overseen dramatic growth in patient volume and service line expansion at the site while continuing to provide excellent clinical care and mentoring for new physicians and APCs. During the COVID pandemic, her leadership and guidance has helped her program continue to excel under difficult circumstances. We appreciate the opportunity to award Dr. Feliciano the Medical Director of the Year for Hospital Medicine at ApolloMD!”
Lead Advanced Practice Clinicians of the Year
Greg Blasche, NP
Atrium Health Navicent
“Greg is a perfect example of a gifted health care provider rising through the ranks and becoming an incredible leader,” said Evan Howell, PA-C, ApolloMD Chief Advanced Practice Clinician. “As an EM nurse, Greg was the best of the best and his work ethic and dedication to his patients has only grown since he earned his NP degree. His willingness to always lend a hand and share his expertise no matter what the circumstances propelled Greg beyond his Lead role at Navicent to being named the first Regional Lead APC of South Georgia. Congratulations, Greg!”
Chris Dawson, NP
Wellstar Kennestone Hospital
“Chris is the Lead APC at one of the nation’s busiest emergency departments, and he routinely goes above and beyond to ensure that his team is able to meet the needs of the community,” explained Howell. “He leads by example, demonstrating the flexibility and ‘outside the box’ thinking that is critical to successfully delivering the highest quality patient care despite the seemingly endless challenges the pandemic has presented. Congratulations, Chris!”
Tim Evje, PA
JFK Memorial Hospital
“Tim embodies leadership by example,” declared Howell. “From advanced procedures to simply comforting his patients in their time of need, Tim embraces every aspect of providing the highest quality of care to his community. Additionally, Tim has openly embraced the onboarding, orientation and ongoing education of his team – and there is no task in the ED he is not willing to do himself. Congratulations, Tim!”
Cynthia Lee, NP
Pensacola Baptist Health Care
“If you have ever wondered exactly what it means to be a servant leader, look no further than Cyndi Lee,” asserted Howell. “In addition to being a phenomenal clinician, Cyndi is also an incredible person. Throughout the seemingly endless challenges of the pandemic, she routinely put the needs of her team before her own. Her commitment to the care of the patients in her community and to the well-being of her team is inspiring. Congratulations, Cyndi Lee!”
Lead Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
Becky Richardson, CRNA
Central Carolina Hospital
“Every day Becky brings a high level of enthusiasm and a cohesive energy to her team,” proclaimed Dr. Vincent Hoellerich, ApolloMD Chief Clinical Officer, Anesthesia. “She is the epitome of a leader who leads by example. We recognize her time, her passion, her strength. Through this pandemic, she has met a number of difficult challenges with grace and determination to build and re-build. Becky finds a way to get it done while showing excellent care and compassion for her patients, their families and her team members. Congratulations Becky, you inspire us all!”
