Special to the WJH
Debbie Cannon, a longtime Registered Nurse in the Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Memorial Satilla Health, recently retired after 45 years of service to this hospital and thousands of new families over the years.
“One can only imagine the countless number of families (Cannon) helped start their journey together. We are so appreciative of her dedication and the investment she’s made in our staff, patients and their families over the years,” said Dr. Celeste Brizzee, MSH’s chief nursing officer.
Last year, Cannon was awarded the Randy Sharpe Health Hero Award by the Waycross-Ware County Chamber of Commerce. She also received HCA Healthcare’s Excellence in Nursing award for Memorial Satilla in 2024.
Cannon has worked in the Birthing Center at Memorial Satilla for her entire career. A Waycross resident, she found her dream job right out of nursing school and never looked back.
“I just felt this was the direction for my life and the door opened,” Cannon said. “I always knew I was going to be in the nursery. It was in my heart that this is what I wanted to do.”
Cannon served as a lactation consultant for new moms, and provided grief support for families after a miscarriage. She considers both tasks a form of ministry. “I just have a passion for it — even after all these years,” she added.
Cannon said she plans to stay on with the hospital part-time, working shifts when staffing needs arise.
