Page 16 - UPSON Issue 1

Fifty Years of Service
The year 1969 brought many great things such as the world-changing moon landing, the premiere of Sesame Street, and The Beatles release of their Abbey Road album. Richard Nixon was president and the Boeing 747 made its debut. On July 5, 1969, Upson Regional Medical Center welcomed new employee, James Searcy. He is one of two Medical Center employees with 50+ years of service.
During his 51 years of service here, James has worn many hats. He attended vocational school, EMT school, and even served as a pathology assistant. Currently, James is an orthopedic tech on our surgical floor, taking care of orthopedic patients.
He has been married to his wife, Ionie, for 49 years. He has a daughter, Cheryl Reddick, and two beautiful grandchildren, Morgan and Joshua. “I came to Upson Regional in 1969 and quit. I remember specifically a nurse named Mrs. Paulks telling me that God brought me here for a reason,” James said. “She then talked me into staying, and I am so glad she did,” he added.
James recalls helping Dr. Dallas with a patient in the emergency room many years ago. He said after assisting with that patient, he felt electricity running through him, and he knew Upson was where he was meant to be. “Mrs. Paulks looked at me after we helped the patient and said, there
is an angel on the left and right of you. I never looked back since,” he said.
James loves the feeling he gets when he helps others and loves the team at Upson Regional Medical Center. “We all take care of the patients and put them first and foremost. We work so well together, and I can’t imagine working anywhere else,” he
said. James’ compassion and service has earned him many awards, including the 2012 Georgia Hospital Association Hospital Hero Award, the 2016 Thomaston-Upson Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award, and the July 2019 Upson Regional Medical Center
Circle of Excellence Award.
“We truly are blessed to have James here at Upson Regional Medical Center. He is willing to help whenever he is needed and always goes the
extra mile. He never complains and always
has a smile on his face while doing what he loves,” said supervisor Carman Templeton.“I love what I do and am
so thankful to God for putting Upson Regional Medical Center in my path,” said Searcy.
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