Maria Bridwell has a passion and joy for serving others

St. Joseph's/Candler’s (SJ/C) has named Maria Bridwell as the 2025 James R. Lientz Humanitarian Award recipient.

SJ/C’s Lientz Award committee selected Bridwell from among 115 of her fellow co-workers representing 65 departments. She has served as a resource coordinator at St. Joseph’s Hospital at 11705 Mercy Boulevard, Savannah, GA since August 2019.

At Thursday’s award reception, SJ/C President and CEO Paul P. Hinchey shared comments from Bridwell’s nominators. They described her as someone who leads by example and can connect with others on a personal level particularly through their most vulnerable moments. One nominee’s comments stated that Bridwell is “someone who instinctively runs toward those in need, never away.”

Aside from her compassion for patients and colleagues alike, she also serves RICE of Hope Ministry in her home country of the Philippines. She often travels to remote communities where she shares God’s love, organizes outreach events, and brings joy to children with Christmas gifts. Her contributions to both the SJ/C and Savannah communities are even more awe-inspiring knowing that she also cares for her husband, who lives with a disability, and her son, who has been diagnosed with autism. 

Along with the Lientz Award plaque and pin, Bridwell received a $3,000 honorarium, a one-year parking pass in the location of her choice, a one-month cafeteria meal pass, a 60-minute massage certificate, a St. Joseph’s/Candler-Lientz watch.

Started at Candler Hospital in 1993, the award recognizes an employee’s outstanding display of humanitarian performance similar to that exemplified in the life of James R. Lientz. 

Bridwell and her fellow nominees were also considered because they exhibited St. Joseph's/Candler’s mission, which is “Rooted in God's love, we treat illness and promote wellness for all people,” as well as its values of compassion, quality, integrity, courtesy, accountability and teamwork.

About James R. Lientz:

Lientz served as a Trustee of Candler Hospital beginning in 1959, as Chairman of the Board of Trustees from 1970 to 1991, and as Chairman of Candler Health System Board of Trustees from 1985 to 1992. Among his many notable achievements was his role in securing the current Reynolds Street location of Candler Hospital. Along with his service to St. Joseph’s/Candler, he held leadership roles in various local organizations including the Georgia Infirmary, the Health Planning Council of Savannah, and United Way of the Coastal Empire.


About St. Joseph’s/Candler:

St. Joseph’s/Candler is a 714-bed, national Magnet-designated health system for Nursing Excellence, with a focus on the latest technologies and research. It is anchored by St. Joseph’s Hospital and Candler Hospital plus new campuses in Pooler and Bluffton, S.C. Its comprehensive network includes centers of excellence for oncology, neurosciences, women’s and children’s services, orthopedics, pulmonary medicine and a variety of other disease specialties. Cardiovascular services are provided in The Heart Hospital at St. Joseph’s Hospital. The cardiovascular specialists at The Heart Hospital, including our expert cardiothoracic surgeons, offer advanced clinical care for complex and comprehensive cardiovascular diseases and conditions.  For more information, visit www.sjchs.org.