Gambrell Honored At Reception

The community comes together to honor retiring Stephens County Hospital Administrator Ed Gambrell.

Local officials, hospital staff, and others gathered Tuesday evening at the Mitchell Allen Meeting Room for a reception celebrating Gambrell’s retirement.

Gambrell is retiring Thursday after 28 years as the administrator at Stephens County Hospital and 32 years at the hospital overall.

Former Hospital Authority Board Member and Chair Ferman Gregory was on the search committee that helped select Gambrell for the administrator’s job in 1987.

He said Gambrell was always the right choice for the job.

“I served during five administrators and by far Ed was the superior one if I had to rate them,” said Gregory. “They were all good, but Ed was very, very good.”

Dr. Jim Wade has worked with Gambrell for many of those 28 years.

He said two things have stood out to him about Gambrell.

The first is how Gambrell has run the hospital successfully while small rural hospitals have faced so many challenges.

Dr. Wade said the second thing that stands out to him is the patient experience.

“My patients almost always have compliments for Stephens County Hospital and specifically, for the fact that they really think the staff cares about them,” said Dr. Wade. “You have to run a tight ship. You have to get the right people there. When you get the right people there, you have to make them happy and keep them there. You have to make them work as a team. Ed, you have done a superb job of that.”

Others also spoke, citing Gambrell’s dedication to community service and to the Toccoa Rotary Club.

Gambrell said he has mixed feelings about retirement, but knows that it is time for him to move on to the next phase of life.

“I look forward to it,” said Gambrell. “I need to retire, but I look forward to it. It is the next phase in my life. At the same time, I will tremendously miss the people I have worked with.”

The Hospital Authority also announced Tuesday that it would name the Wound Care Center after Gambrell.

Gambrell said that was completely unexpected.

“I am truly honored,” said Gambrell. “That is a tremendous honor and something I did not expect.”

Gambrell also received a resolution from the State Senate and a clock from the hospital as a retirement gift.

As for what he is most proud of during his time as administrator, Gambrell said it is simply the hospital’s work in taking care of patients.

“The reason we exist is to take care of our patients,” said Gambrell. “We have built a lot of buildings and added on a lot and those are good things and important things, but just taking care of patients day in and day out is what means the most to me.”

Gambrell said he appreciates all of the staff and board members he has worked with over the years.

As for what is next, Gambrell says he will stay busy reading, volunteering, and doing other activities.

His last day is Thursday, at which time he will give up his title as the longest-tenured hospital administrator in the state.

Taking over is Lynne Anderson, who came on board earlier this year.