Roger McDonald, RN SGMC is proud to announce Roger McDonald, RN was named the Most Valuable Employee by the Valdosta- Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce. Below is his nomination letter. Roger is a registered nurse in the busy open heart operating suite at SGMC. In addition to knowing and using thousands of instruments and the thousands of steps necessary to operate and maintain these tools and devices, Roger is also the patient/family advocate during surgery.During each open heart surgery procedure, Roger leaves the OR several times to talk with the patient’s family. Roger kneels at the family member’s side, always eye-to-eye and speaking softly. He carefully explains every step in the open heart surgery process. He shares timelines and expectations to minimize family members’ stress levels and keep them updated on the patient’s progress. Roger has a knack of taking complex medical information and relating it in a way it can be understood by everyone from an 80-year old grandmother to a seventeen-year old child. He often uses his past job experiences as a plumber to give logical and easy to understand examples of the pumps and pipes that make up the heart and circulatory system.SGMC receives many accolades concerning Roger’s compassion, knowledge and personal communication skills. In all that Roger accomplishes, it is clear that he loves his job and he loves taking care of people. He is a shining example of professional care and personal service.Excerpts from actual letters praising Roger:Ms. Hastings writes: I am sending this to express my appreciation of another hospital employee, Roger McDonald. In February, I was a participant in the conversation Roger shares with families during open heart surgeries. He answered questions that we had not thought to ask. He shared so much knowledge that was huge in helping all of us to understand the whole procedure. It was a great comfort to my aunt. She felt a real connection with Roger because he, too, was going through this experience with us. I want to thank you for settling nerves and putting families at ease during difficult, scary times.Other individuals write:1) Roger McDonald is a great Ambassador. He is attentive, supportive and proactive in making the experience less stressful for cardiac surgery families. He treats the patients and families like he would want to be treated.2) During my husband’s heart surgery, team members from the Dasher Memorial Heart Center (Roger McDonald) explained to us in detail what was going to happen in the OR. He explained all the tubes Doug would have when he came out of surgery and that the family would be able to see him as soon as he was settled back in his room. He was so kind and professional.3) SGMC’s former Interim COO received a complimentary letter from a patient’s family noting Roger’s caring, compassionate and professional care toward the patient’s family members. The COO writes, “Our hospital is recognized as the region’s premier health system and destination for health care because of dedicated and caring employees like you! Thank you for providing and environment where this patient’s family felt secure and confident in our delivery of health care.”
