St. Mary’s to Change Ty Cobb Hospital Name

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR Radio, Lavonia

When St. Mary’s Healthcare closes on the purchase of Ty Cobb Regional Medical Center in Lavonia, one of the first changes will be the facility’s name and its leadership.

Late Friday, St. Mary’s Healthcare announced on its Web site it plans to change Ty Cobb Regional’s name to St.Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital.

Additionally, current St. Mary’s Vice President of Human Resources and Support Services, Jeff English, will become the interim president.

English is a native of Murphy, N.C.

He brings 22 years of healthcare experience to his leadership role at St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital, including 14 years on the executive team at St. Mary’s.

His responsibilities at St. Mary’s 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.

St. Mary’s Healthcare President and CEO Don McKenna said the Sacred Heart name was chosen because it reflects St. Mary’s tradition of faith, compassion, and high quality care.

He said it also recognizes the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, who re-opened St. Mary’s in 1938 as a Catholic hospital.

Greg Hearn, current Ty Cobb Regional CEO will continue to serve as the CEO of Ty Cobb Healthcare System, which includes the Gables, Home Base Health Services, LifeSprings, the Ty Cobb Museum and other rental properties.

If approved by the Georgia Attorney General, St. Mary’s plans to close on Ty Cobb Regional around June 1.