NGHS Administration

Carol Burrell

• BS in Medical Technology, Emory/Georgia Southern
• MHA - Health Care Administration, Central Michigan University
• Responsible for all health system operations including clinical, support and human resources, facility and construction projects, physician practice management

James Bailey, MD

• BS, Pre-medical studies, Davidson College
• Ph.D., Physical chemistry, University of North Carolina
• MD, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
• Responsible for optimizing clinical information technology systems to meet the needs of physicians and clinical staff, as well as ensuring access to the most appropriate data to manage patient care and measure clinical outcomes

Tony Herdener

• MBA, University of Puget Sound
• Responsible for financial planning, reporting, investments, capital formation, treasury, risk management, internal audit, managed care and Health Partners (PPO Network)

Sam Johnson, MD

• MD, Medical College of Georgia
• MMM, Tulane University
• Responsible for overseeing Medical Staff Services, Performance Improvement, Case Management and Risk Management departments; also serves as liason for NGHS' relations with the medical staff

Sonja McLendon

• 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 Pharmacy, Lab, Imaging, Rehabilitation Institute, Behavioral Health, Bariatrics, Orthopedics/Neurosciences, Hospice, Security, Plant Operations, Environmental Services and Nutrition Services

Linda Nicholson, CPA

• BS in Accounting, University of Georgia
• Responsible for Accounting, Financial Planning and Budgets, Decision Support and Analysis

Louis Smith

President of Northeast Georgia Medical Center Gainesville

• MHA, Medical College of Virginia-Virginia Commonwealth University
• BBA, Mississippi College
• Responsible for overseeing continuing development of Northeast Georgia Medical Center Gainesville and market development in Gainesville

Marti Strand

• BBA, Shorter College
• Responsible for all Revenue Receivables, Reimbursement and Health Information Management

Tracy Vardeman

• BS in Business Administration/Marketing and Management, Shorter College
• MBA, Georgia State University with study emphasis in health administration
• Responsible for guiding strategic planning and marketing efforts for the Health System

Bo Walpole, MD

Vice President of Clinical Effectiveness

• MD, Medical College of Georgia
• MBA, Emory University
• Responsible for provider technology interaction, data analytics and sharing, improved clinical documentation, waste reduction, cost effectiveness, patient flow and transitions of care. 

Karen Watts, BSN, MSN, NEA-BC

• BSN, Armstrong Atlantic State University
• MSN, Georgia Southern University
• Responsible for Operative Services, Women & Children's Services, Medical/Surgical Services, Emergency Services, Critical Care, Long Term Care, Medical Transport, Central Staffing, Diabetes Education and Wound Healing.   

Debbie Weber

Chief Human Resource Officer

• Responsible for workforce planning and recruitment, employee benefits, compensation, human resource information systems, employee wellness, employee education and occupational health and safety.

Anthony Williamson

• MBA, University of Florida
• MHS, University of Florida
• BS, Florida State University
• CHE, Certified Healthcare Executive
• FACHE, Fellow, American College of Healthcare Executives
• Responsible for overseeing continuing development of Northeast Georgia Medical Center Braselton and market development in Greater Braselton