News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SAINT JOSEPH’S EAST GEORGIA NAMES DIRECTOR, PHYSICIAN AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS

GREENSBORO, GA – (March 23, 2009) – Saint Joseph’s East Georgia has named Vickie Jenkins, director, physician and community relations.  Jenkins joins the senior management team which includes Mike Huff, president; Cassie Syme, director of operations and Celia Covington, director of nursing. 

Jenkins’ responsibilities include physician retention, business development and administrative oversight for outpatient centers at Saint Joseph’s East Georgia and all affiliate programs of Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Atlanta, as well as working closely with community physicians to attract and recruit new physicians to the area.

“Vickie has been working for several years in the Lake Oconee area  developing programs and services for Saint Joseph’s Hospital at the Cowles Clinic, including recruiting specialists for the Medical Group of Saint Joseph’s, the Saint Joseph’s Specialty Center and the Saint Joseph’s Imaging Center,” says Mike Huff, president of Saint Joseph’s East Georgia.  “She has relocated here full time to help us achieve the goals for growth and services that we envision in the area.”

Jenkins has nearly 30 years experience in health care.  She most recently served as director, physician services for more than 15 years with Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Atlanta.  Prior to Saint Joseph’s, Jenkins worked at Shallowford Hospital, now Emory Johns Creek; Ken Williams & Associates, a marketing and community relations firm specializing in small rural hospitals.  She has also been affiliated with Ernst & Young.

“Part of my new role will be community relations and I’m very excited to be part of the growth in the Lake Oconee area,” says Jenkins.  “The area is changing quickly and health care services need to be expanded to serve the growing population and the complexity of health concerns.  Saint Joseph’s is committed to helping provide those services and programs.”

A community philanthropy campaign is underway to raise $15 million to provide furnishings, equipment, and fund indigent care and clinical research programs for a new, state-of-the-art hospital that Saint Joseph’s Atlanta plans to build in the Lake Oconee area.  Campaign volunteers are working in partnership with Saint Joseph’s to support the new hospital, which will offer the latest diagnostic, surgical and outpatient services. Without everyone’s participation, it will not be financially feasible for Saint Joseph’s, a non-profit hospital, to go forward with this much needed project. Please help make this dream a reality for our communities. Donations are tax-deductible and pledges may be made over five years. To make a pledge, or if you have any questions, please call Saint Joseph’s Mercy Foundation at 678-843-5715 or 706-999-9920.

Jenkins’ offices are located in the Saint Joseph’s Imaging Center,  1000 Cowles Clinic Way, Pine Building, 706-454-0036.