Count on Phoebe

Ken Faust has faithfully served as a law enforcement officer with the Dougherty County Sheriff’s Office for 30 years. Other than diabetes, which he carefully manages, Ken never had any serious health problems, until one night in early May 2022 when he suffered a major heart attack that nearly took his life. As an EMS team rushed him to Phoebe, they used technology donated by the Phoebe Foundation to electronically transmit real-time data about Ken’s heart to Phoebe’s ER.

Ernie Shiver had never been a patient in a hospital until a terrible workplace accident changed his life. His right foot was severed, and he needed emergency surgery to amputate his leg just above his knee. Ernie credits the quick, quality care he received at Phoebe with saving his life. He is now an advocate for Phoebe’s effort to earn designation as a level II trauma center, convinced that expansion of emergency services will ensure even more people like him in southwest Georgia will get lifesaving trauma care at Phoebe.

After Will Riggins dropped out of college, he was looking for some direction in his life. He found it at Phoebe. Will began working at our main hospital cleaning patient rooms, but he quickly found his passion – caring for others. He worked his way up to become an ER technician and is currently a nursing student at Albany State University.

Chris Hatcher brought his business background and economic development experience to the Commodore Conyers College & Career Academy, an innovative charter school serving students in Dougherty, Terrell, Baker and Calhoun counties.  His primary goal is to ensure students are well-prepared to succeed in whatever education or career path they choose after high school.

Farmer Fredo is committed to ending food insecurity in southwest Georgia. As Executive Director of Flint River Fresh, he manages community gardens, teaches urban farming techniques, and ensures people in need have access to fresh produce.

Frank is as active a community servant as you are likely to find in southwest Georgia. In addition to his ongoing volunteer work, Frank has enjoyed successful careers in education and workforce development, and previously served as Executive Director of the Albany Civil Rights Institute.

Mary Martinez was working as a beat officer with the Albany Police Department when the chief convinced her to take a training course to learn to do forensic interviews with abused children. That’s when she found her passion and life’s work.

Alex Reshetnichenko is the orchestra teacher for the Dougherty County School System. He is also a professional violinist who performs with the Albany Symphony Orchestra and the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra.

A native of Lee County, Chelsea was a star athlete at Lee County High School before earning her nursing degree from ABAC. Phoebe’s unique Nursing Simulation Training & Education Program (NSTEP) gave Chelsea the confidence and hands-on training she needed when COVID-19 prevented nursing students from getting all the clinical training typically required before graduation.

When Jasmin faced pregnancy while still in high school, it was a scary and uncertain time. Then she connected with Phoebe’s Network of Trust, where she found the guidance and support she needed to forge her path towards personal and professional success.