Program Sponsors and Preceptors

The Administrative Fellowship Program at NGHS is led by a group of organizational leaders and executives:

Program Sponsors

Michael Covert

Chief Operating Officer, Northeast Georgia Health System

  • BS, MHA, Washington University
  • Responsible for administrative and operational functions of our acute care facilities.

Sonja McLendon

Chief of Operational Excellence, Northeast Georgia Health System

  • BS in Biology, University of North Carolina
  • MEd, Sports Medicine, University of Virginia
  • MBA, University of South Carolina
  • FACHE, Fellow, American College of Healthcare Executives
  • Responsible for overseeing continuous improvement efforts including developing standard work, deploying breakthrough strategies, executing A3 problem-solving, applying lean methodology and enhancing daily visual management.

Program Preceptors

  • Andrei Boyarshinov – Chief Legal Officer
  • Elyse Gates – Vice President, Revenue Cycle
  • Roy Griffin – Vice President, Financial Operations
  • Steve Kelly – Chief Compliance Officer
  • Kevin Matson – Vice President, Facilities, Support Services, and Oncology
  • Chris Paravate – Chief Information Officer
  • Brian Steines – Chief Financial Officer
  • John Kueven – NGMC Gainesville President
  • Melissa Tymchuk – Chief of Staff
  • Diane Poirot – Chief Human Resources Officer
  • Anthony Williamson – President, NGMC Braselton and Southern Market Leader