Liberty Regional Medical Center’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Coordinator Sandy Wells, RN, was awarded the prestigious Georgia Hospital Hero Award at the Georgia Hospital Association’s (GHA) Hospital Hero Awards virtual celebration on Nov. 11. Wells, who was one of two individuals statewide to receive the award, was recognized for her dedication to educating the community about health and wellness with a focus on the prevention of heart disease.
Wells has been employed with Liberty Regional for 35 years, serving in many different roles within patient care and organizational leadership. She began her career as a Nursing Assistant in 1986, earning her RN in 1991. She worked in the Emergency Department, in Perinatal Services and Surgical Services, progressed to the position of Nurse Supervisor and promoted to Director of the Medical Surgical Unit. She has also served as an instructor for the hospital’s Basic Life support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) classes.
In 2009, Wells became the Cardiac Rehabilitation Coordinator for the Cardiopulmonary Department at Liberty Regional where she still serves today. According to Wells, here is where she truly found her passion and niche. In 2018, Wells became Co-Founder of the organization WomenHeart Hinesville, a local chapter of the National WomenHeart Coalition for Women with Heart Disease. Well’s role in Cardiac Rehab and her affiliation with WomenHeart also led to the collaborative effort against Maternal Mortality with which Liberty Regional is a stakeholder. She and other WomenHeart volunteers participate in outreach campaigns to educate the community about health and wellness with a focus on the prevention of heart disease, including the effects that childbirth can have on the heart. In collaboration, WomenHeart Hinesville, Liberty Regional, the Liberty County School System and the City of Hinesville’s Healthy Hinesville initiative, work together to promote heart health and other wellness initiatives to the community.
Tammy Mims, CEO of Liberty Regional, said “We are proud of the work Sandy does, not only here at the hospital but throughout our community as well. The satisfaction of her patients and the progress they make during cardiac rehabilitation are a testament of her passion and commitment to each and every one. She has truly earned this GHA Hospital Hero award!”
“We’re thankful for Sandy’s passion and desire to educate the women in her community on heart disease prevention,” said GHA President and CEO Earl Rogers. “Additionally, her work to seek out at-risk patients and refer them to specialized care has likely saved many lives. She is a most-deserving recipient of this award.”