RK Whitehead Named Chair; New Members Elected to NGHS and Other Operating Boards

Published: Monday, February 15, 2016

Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) is proud to announce RK Whitehead as its new chairman for NGHS’ Board of Trustees.  Whitehead replaces Mary Lynn Coyle, who has served as chair since 2007.

Mary Lynn Coyle’s commitment to the community’s quality of life is readily apparent through her countless volunteer endeavors.  Beginning her service in the medical field as a “candy striper” at the original Hall County Hospital, she later stepped into the role of chair for the Medical Center Auxiliary’s first Marketplace event, helping to raise funds for The Medical Center Foundation.  Since then, her personal touches and attention to detail have remained steadfast in building this event into a highly anticipated and successful community fundraising event. 

Coyle’s talents were recognized by many, as she served on numerous other boards and committees throughout the health system and community before being named Vice Chair of NGHS’s Board in 2006 and, in 2007, Chair.  During her time in this role, she oversaw many monumental projects within the organization, including significant expansion projects such as the North Patient Tower, Women & Children’s Pavilion, Medical Plaza 400 in Dawsonville, Medical Plaza 1 in Braselton and, most notably, the addition of NGMC’s newest hospital in Braselton.

“Mary Lynn’s handprint on the local and regional medical community is indelible – leaving impressions that have touched, shaped and impacted generations of past, current and future residents,” says Whitehead.

Whitehead, who has been actively involved with the Health System since 1996, says he looks forward to stepping into his role as Chair.  Prior to joining the NGHS Board in 2005, Whitehead served on the treasury, executive compensation and real estate committees, and as the Finance Committee chairman from 2005 to 2013.

Whitehead is the president of Whitehead Die Casting, a manufacturing company headquartered in Gainesville with 90 employees.  He is extremely active within the community, currently serving on the following community boards:  Lakeview Academy (Board of Trustees chairman), Chicopee Woods Area Park Commission (chairman), Elachee Nature Science Center, Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce and the Gainesville/Hall County Development Authority.

Whitehead is a graduate of Georgia Tech and holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering.  He and his wife, Laura, have four children (Adelaide, 22; Emmeline, 20; Georgia, 18; and Oliver, 16).

In addition to this change in leadership, NGHS also welcomes the following new members to several affiliated boards for 2016:

Northeast Georgia Health System Board
Jane Smoot – retired, Edward Jones Investments
Mohak Davé, MD – emergency medicine physician and medical director of Emergency Services at Northeast Georgia Medical Center

Northeast Georgia Medical Center Board
Phillippa Lewis Moss – director, Gainesville-Hall County Community Service Center

Northeast Georgia Health Partners Board
Andrew Green, MD – gynecologic oncologist, Northeast Georgia Physicians Group Gynecologic Oncology; medical director of Robotic Surgery at Northeast Georgia Medical Center
Jimmy Adams – president, The Adams Companies
Jeff Terry, MD – internal medicine physician, Northeast Georgia Diagnostic Clinic

The Medical Center Foundation Board
Dot Dusenberry – president, The Medical Center Auxiliary
Ivan Moore – manager, Cardiology, NGMC Braselton
Bo Weber – general counsel, Gold Creek Foods, LLC

Northeast Georgia Health System Advisory Board
Javier Chavez – multicultural liaison and relationship banker, BB&T
Ron Jaeh – retired captain, U.S. Navy
Reneigh Satterfield – financial advisor, Edward Jones Investments
Stephen Samuel – senior pastor, St. John Baptist Church
Abby Boerner – licensed counselor, Foothills Counseling (Clarkesville) and Beacon Counseling (Cumming)