SGMC Health Honors Student Engagement and Workforce Development Teams as Health System Heroes

SGMC Health has recognized its student engagement and workforce development teams as its latest Health System Heroes for their leadership in developing future healthcare professionals. The honorees-Rachel Dillard, Deb Baker, Hilary Willis, Rebekah Bell, Lanea Staton, Sharon Brown, and Colby Ruiz, MD-have created expanded pathways for students across South Georgia to explore healthcare careers.

Through collaboration between SGMC Health's Medical Education and Foundation departments, along with support from Human Resources, this team has created a structured pipeline that connects students at all stages-from high school to advanced clinical training-with meaningful, hands-on healthcare experiences. Their work provides early exposure, builds practical skills, and strengthens the connection between education and real-world practice.

As demand for healthcare career exploration continues to grow, the team has significantly increased opportunities for student participation. More than 200 students are processed each semester for clinical rotations. In addition, the team has coordinated 42 physician shadowing experiences and established 14 academic affiliation agreements, resulting in the placement of more than 100 additional students across SGMC Health.

In addition, student engagement initiatives have reached younger audiences, with 80 shadowing students placed this year alongside 43 college volunteers and 70 high school Volunteens. These experiences provide valuable insight into healthcare careers while fostering early interest in the field. The Simulation Center on SGMC Health's main campus further supports these efforts by providing a dedicated, hands-on learning environment that enhances training for both students and clinical teams.

"This team has built something incredibly meaningful for our organization and our region," said Hilary Gibbs, Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer. "By creating access and opportunity at every stage of the learning journey, they are not only strengthening our workforce today but also helping shape the future of healthcare across South Georgia."

Serving as the physician advisor for SGMC Health's student engagement programs, Vascular Surgeon Colby Ruiz, MD, provides essential leadership and mentorship, helping bridge the gap between education and clinical practice. His involvement reinforces the organization's commitment to developing future healthcare professionals who may one day return to serve their communities.

Together, these efforts are strengthening SGMC Health's workforce pipeline by helping attract, inspire, and prepare the next generation of nurses, physicians, and healthcare workers.

SGMC Health participates in an array of recognition programs to honor employees who most exemplify the tagline, "Remarkable People, Extraordinary Care, Human Kindness." To learn more, visit sgmc.org/recognition.