Phoebe employee honored for 60 years of service
ALBANY, Ga. – Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital is honoring a longtime employee for a milestone achievement.
Allow me to introduce you to Mary Hart, a name synonymous with dedication at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital.
Her journey began in 1965 when, as a 21-year-old, she took on a role as a secretary in the dietary department, now known as Food and Nutrition Services.
60 years later, her career stands as a testament to hard work, adaptability, and commitment to service. Phoebe recently honored Mary’s incredible legacy with a surprise reception, celebrating her impact on the Phoebe family and the spirit of service she continues to inspire.
“I first came in here and they didn’t have a position. And, so, I went downtown and then we had the dime store and I started working there. And, after I had been there a week, the hospital called me, and Ms. Craft interviewed me to work in Food and Nutrition as her Secretary,” said Mary Hart, Phoebe Administrative Assistant.
Mary Hart’s career at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital has evolved over the decades, reflecting her adaptability and dedication.
She advanced from Assistant Personnel Director to managing employee benefits before transitioning to Guest Relations and eventually the Spiritual Care Department. This role allowed her to build meaningful connections.
Coordinating with multiple volunteer chaplains and supporting families of diverse faiths, Mary’s experience has been defined by her ability to provide compassionate care during life’s most challenging moments.
“The high for me was working with people and I love the employees. And when I moved to H.R., I learned from a good boss, Mary Baggett, she said, “that in H.R. The employees are our customers. And, if we did not treat them right, they would be angry and go back and take it out on patients.” So, I always learned that you need to treat your employees like you would anybody else. They are your customers and you are supposed to make them happy so they’d be happy when they get back to work,” said Hart.
Mary’s professional growth has paralleled the transformation of Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. When she first joined, Phoebe employed just around 500 people. Today, it stands as a major healthcare institution – a growth that Mary takes great pride in having witnessed firsthand.
“We had grown over the years. I never dreamed that when I started here in the little building on the end of this hospital, the C and D wing, that I would see it all grown up like this. I’m excited about our Trauma Center, our school that we just opened, and they’re the highlights of this community to me,” said Hart.
Hart’s journey is a powerful testament to how dedication, adaptability, and a positive attitude can create a lasting legacy. From typing newsletters on typewriters to embracing the digital transformation of healthcare, her evolution is remarkable.
Mary’s legacy serves as an inspiration to everyone at Phoebe, encouraging them to approach the future with the same commitment and resilience she has demonstrated for six decades.
“I have not planned on retiring at all. And, I just this is my family. This really is my family. I grew up with it. I love the doctors. The surgeons, their families, and patients, and I just got to know them. I got to know employees. And, now, I’m working with clergies. So, I have met all kinds of people while I have worked here, and it’s a joy and that’s my family,” said Hart.
De’Andra Jacobs reporting.
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