The 2017 South Health District Employee of the Year Award was presented to Cumi Fillion, RDH, at an employee appreciation event on May 4. Fillion is the Coordinator of the Oral Health program for the Georgia Department of Public Health’s ten-county district in South Georgia.
 
Fillion was nominated for the award for going over and beyond in her day-to-day job duties in 2016-2017 by saving the life of a Lowndes County resident. Through a random encounter at a gas station, Fillion learned of a person with life-threatening oral health issues whom had been unable to find care.
 
Fillion stated the patient was in such pain when they first met, she was couldn’t even stand up straight. Through pain medication and homecare remedies, such as using needle nose pliers to pull teeth, and using salt and hot water to gargle, the patient was able to relieve some of the pain most nights to sleep until Fillion was able to help.
 
Through the dental clinic at the Partnership Health Center, Fillion was able to find assistance for the patient. From the work of the late Dr. William Broadfoot, Dr. Joseph Kirbo and Dr. Heather Colson Hardy, whom volunteer their time through the PHC, and other PHC staff, the patient now has a new beautiful smile and most importantly lives pain-free.
 
Fillion has been employed with the Georgia Department of Public Health for seven years in the Oral Health Program. She is married to Stan Fillion and has two daughters, Val LaHood and Layton Fillion.