Lavonia Hospital Names New President

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR Radio, Lavonia

St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital in Lavonia has a new president.

Last month, St. Mary’s Healthcare announced it has hired interim president Jeff English for the job.

English has served as the interim president since St. Mary’s Healthcare purchased the Lavonia hospital from Ty Cobb Regional Healthcare last year.

English said he has been warmed by the positive reception he’s received from the community and hospital staff.

“I’m honored to be entrusted with the leadership of Sacred Heart Hospital,” English said. “The team we have here is extremely dedicated and committed to improving quality and raising satisfaction with patients, physicians and our colleagues. Over the past eight months, I’ve really enjoyed getting to know the community and the people. It’s a blessing for me to be part of such a wonderful team and a great organization like Sacred Heart.”

St. Mary’s Healthcare President and CEO Don McKenna said that English led a successful integration of St. Mary’s Health Care System into the newly acquired hospital.

McKenna said English and his team of what he called “committed and competent leaders” are well positioned to further the mission of St. Mary’s in the community.

Meanwhile, English said he wanted to continue as Sacred Heart’s president and is looking forward to helping the hospital and its staff continue to grow and improve.

He said one of his primary goals is to restore community confidence in the hospital and its staff.

Since taking the reins of Sacred Heart Hospital, English has re-organized several key departments including the ER, hired at least four new departmental managers, and brought in over $2 million in new high-tech equipment for surgery, maternity, and radiology.

McKenna noted that English will also continue to serve as Vice President of Human Resources and Support Services for St. Mary’s Health Care System.

These duties include executive oversight of various clinical, administrative and support services.

In addition, English oversees St. Mary’s long-standing relationship with the University of Georgia Athletic Association.

English is a native of Murphy, North Carolina with more than 22 years of healthcare experience, including 14 years on the executive team at St. Mary’s.