SGMC Health has earned the 2026 Swaay.Health Award for Best Use of Social Media, standing out among hundreds of entries from healthcare organizations across the country. The health system was the sole winner in the Non‑Profit category, earning national recognition for its innovative, people‑centered approach to digital storytelling and community engagement. 

The Swaay.Health Awards celebrate excellence, creativity, and impact in healthcare marketing, communications, and patient experience. SGMC Health was recognized for its strategic and consistent use of social media to elevate employee recognition, strengthen community connection, and support system‑wide awareness initiatives. 

Across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube, SGMC Health reaches a growing and highly engaged audience of 36,145 total followers, averaging 1.5 million views each month. Social media serves as a primary storytelling platform for the health system, highlighting the faces behind the care patients receive and reinforcing meaningful connections to the South Georgia and North Florida region. With nearly 2,000 posts per year, there is no shortage of compelling content to share about the team members, physicians, and volunteers who work across the organization. 

Some of the most engaging posts over the past year centered on real, human‑interest moments—stories that offered an inside look at the compassion found throughout the health system. Highlights included a wedding ceremony held in the intensive care unit, the first baby born at SGMC Health in the new year, and a “day in the life of a nurse” video that showcased dedication and teamwork behind the scenes. Additional content features patient testimonials, physician and employee recognitions, clips from the What Brings You in Today? podcast, recent system advancements, monthly awards, newborn photoshoots, and employee shoutouts—each designed to humanize healthcare and celebrate those who provide it.

Beyond storytelling and recognition, SGMC Health’s social media platforms play a key role in broader marketing efforts, supporting campaigns for heart and vascular services, breast cancer care, orthopedics, nursing recruitment, and other service lines critical to the region’s health. 

“Social media is a powerful tool for connecting directly with the communities we serve,” said Kara Hope Rockwell, Director of Marketing & Brand Experience at SGMC Health. “It allows us to tell real stories, highlight the people behind the care, and keep our region informed about the services and advancements available close to home. We are incredibly proud to be recognized for the work our team does every day to share those stories with authenticity and purpose.” 

The 2026 awards program was highly competitive, making this recognition particularly meaningful. 

“It’s more important than ever for us to highlight the incredibly talented people, teams, content, and campaigns in healthcare that stood out over the past twelve months,” said Colin Hung, Editor‑in‑Chief of Swaay.Health. “Winning a Swaay.Health Award is no small feat. We received hundreds of high‑quality nominations. This year’s winners were truly the best of the best.” 

“Swaay.Health has always been about lifting each other up,” added John Lynn, Founder of Swaay.Health. “We feel it is our duty to share the good work being done by others so that we can all learn. The 2026 winners are inspiring.” 

To learn more about SGMC Health, visit www.sgmc.org.