TARCOG Employee of the Month — January 2026
Employee of the Month — January 2026
January 6, 2026
Teresa Hazzard always tries to go above and beyond to help her clients, according to her nomination for Employee of the Month.
When she works with someone and sees they may benefit from other TARCOG services, she refers them to our Aging and Disability Resource Center.
She worked what seemed like day and night to assist clients during the Open Enrollment period between Oct. 15 and Dec. 7, 2025. We had numerous clients call on Friday, Dec. 5, needing assistance and Teresa worked through the entire weekend to make sure those individuals were helped before Open Enrollment closed on Dec. 7.
If you need someone to lift you up, give supportive words, a laugh or even a shirt off of her back, I am fairly certain Teresa would be the one to provide it.
Name: Teresa Hazzard
Title: State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) and Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Resource Coordinator
How long have you been at TARCOG and what do you do? I’ve been with TARCOG for 11 years. My job is to make sure that every person that receives Medicaid also has a drug plan that will assist them with getting their needed medication. I am also responsible for making sure that every person knows about current scams.
What did you want to be when you grew up? Growing up I just wanted to be successful.
What do you hope to accomplish within the next year? Within the next year I want to enhance my knowledge while also mastering my current skills. I want to continue to contribute to a positive team environment and always be available when needed.
Who is your hero and why? My hero will always be my mother. She worked hard all her life and taught me the meaning of commitment and endurance.
If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be? I would eat my favorite foods guilt free. I would stay in bed all day and watch some of my favorite TV shows.
What is the best piece of advice someone has given you? One of the best pieces of advice that I’ve ever received is to always let my audio and video match.
What’s the most daring thing you’ve ever done? The most daring thing I’ve ever done was ziplining in Vegas … What a rush
Who knows you the best? My children
What would you do if you won the lottery? If I were to win the lottery, the first thing I’d do after gaining my composure is donate to the church and then my children. After those things it’s whatever my heart desires!
TARCOG State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) and Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Resource Coordinator Teresa Hazzard
TARCOG Employee of the Year — 2025
Employee of the Year 2025
December 31, 2025
TARCOG Executive Director Michelle Gilliam-Jordan announced at a year-end meeting that IT Specialist Ruby Banks was selected as Employee of the Year for 2025.
Michelle said it was difficult to select a winner from the Employee of the Month winners because each of the candidates are highly skilled and dedicated to their jobs.
A recap of the 2025 Employee of the Month winners includes:
January — Resource Coordinator Teresa Hazard
February — Alabama Cares Coordinator Lydia Weeks
March — Gateway to Community Living Transition Coordinator Alexis Baker
April — Nurse Case Manager Jelisa Simon
May — Receptionist/Administrative Assistant Kecia J. Jones
June — IT Specialist Ruby Banks
July — Case Manager/Personal Choice Counselor Shanika Moore
August —Medicaid Waiver Case Manager Supervisor Ashley Johnson
September — Finance Director Gerald Carter
October — Resource Specialist Jeane Gibbons
November — Nurse Case Manager Rosa Sanchez
December — Medicaid Waiver Administrative Assistant Lameisha Wright
Thank you and CONGRATULATIONS again, to each of you!
IT Specialist Ruby Banks is TARCOG’s Employee of the Year for 2025 with Executive Director Michelle Gilliam Jordan.
Winter Wishes 2025
Winter Wishes 2025
December 24, 2025
The smile on 61-year-old Wayne’s face reflects the joy he felt upon receiving a stack of WINTER WISHES gifts for the holidays.
For 80-year-old Ms. Carol, even a package of toilet tissue brought happiness when she found it among her WINTER WISHES presents this year.
“She said she would love for us to express to her sponsors how incredibly blessed she feels and how thankful she is for every item she received through Winter Wishes. She says y’all have made her wishes come true,” her case manager said.
Wayne and Carol were among 285 recipients of this year’s WINTER WISHES campaign, which included more than 1,000 gifts delivered by TARCOG’s Medicaid Waiver case managers throughout December.
We are deeply appreciative of all the sponsors who helped make these wishes come true. The impact of these acts of generosity and kindness cannot be overstated.
Our case managers have shared story after story of the happiness these gifts brought to our clients during a season that could have been especially sad and lonely for many.
TARCOG’s Medicaid Waiver Program serves more than 1,000 clients of all ages across DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, Madison, and Marshall counties. The holiday campaign began in 2002 as a simple gesture to share kindness and joy with those in need.
Employee of the Month — December 2025
Employee of the Month — December 2025
December 1, 2025
Lameisha Wright is an administrative assistant for the Medicaid Waiver Department who has a wonderful personality, and her demeanor is welcoming and inviting.
In a nomination for TARCOG’s montly recognition, a coworker said “every time I’ve needed assistance, she has helped me with a smile, and she has made me feel like I am a part of the team.
The coworker said Lameisha’s “suggestions have been amazing,” and it shows “that she enjoys her job.”
Lameisha has been the coordinator of this year’s Winter Wishes campaign, which involves coordinating with case managers to develop the “wish list” for each client who chooses to participate, and the sponsors who generously help fulfill the wishes.
Name: Lamiesha Wright
Job Title: Medicaid Waiver Administrative Assistant
How long have you been at TARCOG and what do you do? For the past 9 months, I have worked as a Medicaid Waiver administrative assistant, assisting with deeming applications for program participants, handling billing, and helping case managers when needed. She also supports the Medicaid Waiver program manager. She is also the coordinator of the Winter Wishes campaign this year, coordinating aging and disabled client’s needs and community sponsors who fulfill them during the holiday season.
What did you want to be when you grew up? A singer.
What do you hope to accomplish within the next year? I want to start my PhD. Program.
Who is your hero and why? My mother is my hero because even while maintaining a full-time job, she always made sure to be present and nurturing in me and my sisters’ lives.
If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be? Relax with my dog and read a good book.
What is the best piece of advice someone has given you? Don’t be so hard on yourself.
What’s the most daring thing you’ve ever done? Ride a jet ski in Costa Rica. (I don’t know how to swim)
Who knows you the best? My family knows me best.
TARCOG Medicaid Waiver Administrative Assistant Lameisha Wright