SGMC Health Recognizes Staff with Safe Care Award
Perfusionist Tom Lorino and student Erik Tovar are honored for their clinical expertise during a surgery in Valdosta.
Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Awards
SGMC Health has presented the Safe Care Award to perfusionist Tom Lorino and student perfusionist Erik Tovar. The recognition honors the pair for demonstrating teamwork and composure during a critical intraoperative situation.
Why it matters
The award serves as part of the health system’s High Reliability Organization designation, which prioritizes patient safety and clinical excellence. By recognizing these staff members, the institution highlights the importance of specialized skills during high-stakes medical procedures.
SGMC Health maintains ISO 9001 Quality Management System certification through DNV Healthcare Inc. The Safe Care Award is a specific component of the facility's broader High Reliability Organization designation.
The players
Tom Lorino
He is a professional perfusionist who works at the SGMC Health Main campus.
Erik Tovar
He is a student perfusionist who assisted during the surgical event.
SGMC Health
It is a healthcare system based in Valdosta that operates multiple facilities, including the main campus where the award recipients work.
The details
Tom Lorino and Erik Tovar were selected for the honor after utilizing their specialized skills to manage heart-lung machines and circulatory support equipment during a time-sensitive procedure at SGMC Health Main. Their performance was credited with maintaining clinical safety under pressure.
Timeline
October 24, 2026: SGMC Health announced the award recipients.
Culture Shift
The Safe Care Award aligns with the ISO 9001 Quality Management System to enforce a culture of safety across healthcare operations. This initiative reflects a broader shift toward formal High Reliability Organization frameworks that prioritize standardized performance in critical care environments.
For residents in Valdosta, this recognition underscores the safety protocols currently in place at the city’s primary healthcare facility. Patients receiving care at SGMC Health Main benefit from a system that actively incentivizes and validates clinical precision among its specialized medical staff.
The takeaway
The recognition of staff for clinical composure emphasizes that modern patient safety relies on both high-level equipment and the expertise of the operators. Residents can look for such quality designations when assessing the clinical safety standards of their local healthcare providers.
Further reading
Learn more about local recognitions and industry honors at the Awards section.
More information
To see more details on how staff are recognized or to view the program, visit the Safe Care Award nomination portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Valdosta Daily Times.
