From left: Maggie James, an employee with the Northeast Georgia Health System Foundation; Matt Hanley, president and CEO of NGHS; Irene Thomas, daughter of Anne Thomas; LeTrell Simpson, a former NGHS leader and friend of Anne Thomas; and Chris Bray, president of the NGHS Foundation.
Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) recently received the largest single gift in the history of the organization from the Estate of Anne Warren Thomas. Anne, who passed in 2025, was a volunteer with NGHS for many years, served as president of the system’s Auxiliary, founded the organization’s Love Light program, and helped establish the Green Warren Dental Clinic through her support of Good News Clinics.
“Anne was deeply passionate about this community, and especially this hospital,” said Chris Bray, chief philanthropy officer for NGHS and president of the NGHS Foundation. “While I’m tremendously grateful for her estate’s gift, I know her legacy isn’t simply a donation. More than anything, her legacy is the belief in the power of exceptional healthcare to change lives, strengthen families and build a healthier future for our entire region.”
The gift announcement was held in Anne’s Garden, which was dedicated in her name in 2009, outside of Northeast Georgia Medical Center Gainesville’s Green Tower. Friends, family and current and former NGHS leaders were in attendance.
“My mother loved this community and this hospital,” said Irene Thomas, Anne’s daughter. “Celebrating her legacy in this garden named for her really signifies how much this hospital meant to her, and how much she means to this hospital.”
Anne’s gift marks the next phase of a $200 million fundraising campaign for the NGHS Foundation.
“This campaign is especially meaningful as we celebrate NGHS’ 75th anniversary,” said NGHS president and CEO, Matt Hanley, MD. “It gives us an opportunity to look back with gratitude for the people who came before us and helped place our organization in the strong position we are in today. We also look forward with tremendous momentum and optimism about what we can accomplish together. Just as Anne’s generosity will benefit generations to come, this campaign will help shape the next 75 years of care for our patients and communities.”
Anne’s estate prefers to not share the amount of the gift, and instead encourages others to donate an amount that is right for each individual’s circumstances.
To learn more about the NGHS Foundation and how you can support the campaign, visit nghs.com/foundation.