Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals recognizes Memorial Hospital & Manor for its commitment to healthcare excellence and service to Southwest Georgia.

BAINBRIDGE, Ga. — November 2026 — Memorial Hospital & Manor has been named the 2026 Small Hospital of the Year by the Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals (GACH), earning one of the state’s distinguished recognitions for community hospitals.

The award recognizes the important role community hospitals play in delivering quality healthcare, strengthening local communities, and advancing healthcare services across Georgia.

For Memorial Hospital & Manor, the recognition represents a significant achievement and a reflection of the dedication of its physicians, nurses, clinical professionals, support staff, and employees who work each day to meet the healthcare needs of Bainbridge, Decatur County, and the surrounding Southwest Georgia region.

A Recognition of Excellence in Rural Healthcare

The Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals represents not-for-profit hospitals and healthcare systems throughout Georgia and advocates for policies and initiatives that strengthen access to healthcare services.

Its annual Small Hospital of the Year award highlights exceptional achievement among community hospitals and recognizes the contributions these facilities make to the health and well-being of the populations they serve.

Community hospitals remain essential to Georgia’s healthcare infrastructure, particularly in rural areas where access to emergency care, specialty services, inpatient treatment, and preventive healthcare can present unique challenges.

Memorial Hospital & Manor’s recognition underscores the importance of maintaining a strong local healthcare system and the continued commitment required to serve the needs of a growing and evolving community.

A Commitment to Progress and Innovation

The award comes as Memorial Hospital & Manor continues to focus on strengthening its healthcare services, investing in medical technology, expanding opportunities for specialized care, and planning for the future.

Recent initiatives have emphasized enhancing clinical capabilities, supporting physician recruitment, improving operational efficiency, and exploring long-term opportunities for facility modernization.

These efforts reflect the organization’s continued focus on providing healthcare close to home while adapting to the changing needs of patients and families throughout Southwest Georgia.

Beyond its clinical services, Memorial Hospital & Manor also plays an important role in the local economy as a major employer and community institution, supporting jobs, families, and economic activity throughout the region.

An Achievement Shared by the Entire Community

The Small Hospital of the Year designation is a recognition not only of Memorial Hospital & Manor, but also of the community that has supported the organization throughout its history.

The continued dedication of healthcare professionals, the support of local businesses and community partners, and the trust placed in Memorial by patients and families all contribute to the hospital’s ability to fulfill its mission.

As Memorial Hospital & Manor looks toward the future, the recognition serves as both a celebration of its accomplishments and an encouragement to continue advancing healthcare services for future generations.

The 2026 Small Hospital of the Year award represents an important milestone for Memorial Hospital & Manor and a point of pride for Bainbridge, Decatur County, and the entire Southwest Georgia region.

About Memorial Hospital & Manor

Memorial Hospital & Manor is a community healthcare organization serving Bainbridge, Decatur County, and the surrounding Southwest Georgia region. Through its hospital, physician services, and long-term care services, Memorial is committed to providing accessible, compassionate healthcare close to home.

About the Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals

The Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals is an organization representing Georgia’s not-for-profit hospitals and healthcare systems. The Alliance advocates for policies that support community healthcare, promotes collaboration among member organizations, and recognizes outstanding achievements in Georgia’s healthcare industry.

Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital (PPMH), in partnership with Memorial Hospital & Manor of Bainbridge (MHM), is leading the way in creating a culture of nursing excellence in southwest Georgia through its Perinatal Fellowship Program. As one of six designated regional perinatal centers in Georgia, PPMH not only provides the region’s most advanced neonatal intensive care for premature and critically ill babies from 22 counties, it provides expert nurses who share their knowledge with colleagues at hospitals throughout the region. Five MHM nurses recently completed the program which is designed to help hospitals throughout the region elevate their level of care and improve outcomes for their patients.

“Providing high-quality care means more than just serving those within the walls of our hospital. It also involves serving those within our region,” said Mindy Spencer, RNC, PPMH Neonatal Outreach Educator. “As a regional perinatal center, Phoebe has the responsibility to educate staff in referring hospitals throughout our region, and we’re grateful for our partnership with the hospital in Bainbridge and their commitment to this program and the continuing education of their nurses.”

The 18-week Perinatal Fellowship Program involves rigorous self-study, classroom education and clinical training at Phoebe that includes participation in deliveries and direct patient care.

“We’re taking everything we learned and passing it on to other nurses at our hospital. We’re able to teach them what we learned, and we know that will benefit our patients,” said Shelby Smith, RN, one of the recent graduates of the program from MHM.

Veteran nurses and newer nurses agree the program has boosted their skills and confidence and strengthened their relationship with the team at Phoebe.

Jennifer Landrum, a nurse for 21 years, said, “Even after being a nurse for a long time, I’m still learning things that make me more comfortable in difficult situations. It’s also great to see the rest of the story – what happens when we send our babies to Phoebe.”

During the first 16 weeks of the program, Phoebe Perinatal Outreach Educators traveled to Bainbridge to teach in the environment the nurses work in every day, utilizing the tools and equipment they use to care for their patients. Once that portion was completed, the nurses spent time in Phoebe’s Labor & Delivery Unit and Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

“Doing everything hands-on instead of just from a textbook helps me with learning new skills. I believe what I’ve learned will help me be able to stabilize patients and keep them in our hospital whenever possible,” said Regina Leal-Kimble, RN, who began her nursing career two and a half years ago.

The program would not have been a success without the support and leadership of both PPMH and MHM. Success comes through commitment to excellence and investment in the staff.

“With collaboration among nursing leadership and access to valuable resources, Phoebe is able to innovatively enhance the professional development of perinatal nurses within our region,” said Ashton Petersen, RNC, PPMH Maternal Outreach Educator. “This ultimately improves the qualify of care our mothers and neonates receive throughout southwest Georgia.”

The five Bainbridge nurses are the first to complete the Phoebe Perinatal Nurse Fellowship Program in several years, but others will soon follow.

“We’re working with several other hospitals in the region to schedule courses for their nurses,” Spencer said. “We’re excited to re-energize this program because it teaches the most up-to-date and evidence-based care for obstetric and neonatal patients, and we know it truly benefits families in communities throughout southwest Georgia.”

Pictured L to R are: Gaby Santiso, Regina Leal-Kimble, Jennifer Landrum, Judy Godwin, Larsyn Gill, and Shelby Smith.

Congrats to: Gaby Santiso, Regina Leal-Kimble, Jennifer Landrum, Larsyn Gill, and Shelby Smith for participating in and completing this program!

Congratulations, Phyllis Jenkins — BEE Award Honoree!

Memorial Hospital and Manor is proud to recognize Phyllis Jenkins, a valued member of our Environmental Services (EVS) team at Memorial Manor, as a BEE Award recipient! ??

BEE stands for Being Excellent Every day. The BEE Award celebrates and honors the excellent work our non-nursing team members do every day. Just as a DAISY would not be able to grow without the help of the BEE, our nurses could not provide exceptional care without the outstanding teamwork of other healthcare professionals.

Phyllis has demonstrated a strong commitment to the residents of the Manor and to creating an environment where they feel genuinely cared for, respected, and at home. One of the things I have noticed most is the close relationships she has developed with residents and their families. Her interactions are consistently thoughtful, kind, and personal, and it is evident that she understands that caring for our residents extends well beyond simply meeting their basic needs.

Phyllis is particularly attentive to the small details that can have a significant impact on a resident’s comfort and quality of life. She takes the initiative to recognize individual needs, pays close attention to the cleanliness and condition of residents’ rooms, and takes extra steps to make sure their living spaces are comfortable and welcoming.

One example of this was a resident who was having difficulty adjusting to life at the Manor and whose family was concerned that she was becoming increasingly withdrawn. Phyllis took the time to learn more about the resident’s normal routines, preferences, and the things that made her feel comfortable at home. She recognized that the resident was particularly bothered when her room became cluttered or was not arranged the way she preferred, and Phyllis made a point of ensuring that her room remained clean, organized, and familiar to her.

More importantly, Phyllis did not stop with addressing the resident’s physical environment. She made a point of regularly checking on her, spending time talking with her, and maintaining communication with the family about how she was doing. Over time, the resident became more comfortable in her surroundings and more engaged with those around her. Her family also expressed greater confidence and reassurance knowing that someone was paying attention to the personal details that mattered to their loved one.

That example reflects what I believe is one of Phyllis’s greatest strengths. She recognizes that exceptional long-term care is often demonstrated through the small, thoughtful actions that preserve a resident’s dignity, comfort, and sense of belonging. Her compassion, attentiveness, and genuine relationships with residents and families make her a valuable part of the Manor team and positively influence the overall resident experience.

Phyllis, thank you for Being Excellent Every day and for showing us that extraordinary care is often found in the smallest details. We are grateful for everything you do for our residents, their families, and the entire Memorial Manor team! ???

#BEEAward #BeingExcellentEveryDay #MemorialHospitalAndManor #MemorialManor #TeamMHM #EmployeeRecognition #HealthcareHeroes #LongTermCare #ResidentCare #Teamwork

Congratulations, Martha Poppell — DAISY Award Recipient!

Memorial Hospital and Manor is proud to recognize Martha Poppell, a nurse in our Labor & Delivery Department, as a DAISY Award honoree! ??

The DAISY Award honors nurses who demonstrate clinical excellence and compassionate care and serve as role models within our nursing community. We are proud to partner with The DAISY Foundation to recognize nurses who make an extraordinary difference in the lives of their patients.

A patient who nominated Martha shared these beautiful words:

“Mrs. Martha was amazing in helping me deliver my son. She never left my side and helped keep me calm while I was in labor.”

The patient went on to describe Martha as compassionate, attentive, and supportive, noting that she listened to her wishes and never made her feel pressured.

“She was there when I needed her and never got upset when I called her… She listened to what I had to say.”

That kind of care is what the DAISY Award is all about. Martha, thank you for providing not only exceptional nursing care, but also the comfort, compassion, reassurance, and support that can make such a meaningful difference during one of life’s most important moments.

? Congratulations, Martha! We are grateful to have you caring for our patients and families at Memorial Hospital and Manor! ??

#DAISYAward #DAISYNurse #MemorialHospitalAndManor #TeamMHM #NurseRecognition #LaborAndDelivery #NursesMakeADifference #HealthcareHeroes

Congratulations, Felicia Butler — 2nd Quarter Sunshine Award Recipient!

Memorial Hospital and Manor is proud to recognize Felicia Butler, Ward Clerk in our Labor & Delivery Department, as the recipient of the 2nd Quarter Sunshine Award! ??

The Sunshine Award recognizes healthcare team members who brighten the days of our patients, families, and fellow team members. Honorees are selected for demonstrating our Memorial Hospital and Manor values of Accountability, Teamwork, Integrity, Excellence, Compassion, Innovation, and Trust.

A patient shared this heartfelt recognition of Felicia:

“She made sure I was taken care of and made sure I had everything I needed.”

Felicia’s department manager also shared:

“She is dependable and I can count on her to do her job. She is a great employee and we are fortunate to have her in the OB department.”

Felicia, thank you for being someone our patients and team members can count on. Your dependability, compassion, and commitment to caring for others truly make a difference! ☀️

Congratulations, Felicia, and thank you for being a bright light at Memorial Hospital and Manor! ??

#SunshineAward #MemorialHospitalAndManor #TeamMHM #EmployeeRecognition #LaborAndDelivery #HealthcareHeroes #MakingADifference