Hearn Appointed to State Rural Hospital Committee
Ty Cobb CEO Gregg Hearn has been selected by Governor Nathan Deal to serve on a new committee designed to help struggling rural hospitals stay open.
“In March of this year, I proposed three revisions to the way we approach rural health care, with one being the Rural Hospital Stabilization Committee,” Deal said. “I recognize the critical need for hospital infrastructure in rural Georgia and remain committed to ensuring citizens throughout the state have the ability to receive the care that they need. This committee will work to increase the flow of communication between hospitals and the state and improve our citizens’ access to health care. I am proud to welcome this team and look forward to what we stand to accomplish.”
Hearn is one of 15 members on the board.
Others on the board incude:
| Jimmy Lewis | HomeTown Health | Cumming |
| Scott Kroell | Liberty Regional Medical Center | Hinesville |
| Maggie Gill | Memorial Health | Savannah |
| Wade Johnson | Lincoln County Commission Chairman | Lincolnton |
| Dr. Angela Highbaugh-Battle | Pediatrician | Hazlehurst |
| Charles Owens | State Office of Rural Health | Cordele |
| Sen. David Lucas | Georgia Senate | Macon |
| Rep. Terry England | Georgia House of Representatives | Auburn |
| Molly Howard | Jefferson County Superintendent | Louisville |
| Jimmy Allen | Business Owner and Tift Regional Hospital Board Member | Adel |
| Dr. Thomas Fitzgerald | Tanner Medical Center, Emergency Medicine | Carrollton |
| Ronnie Rollins | Community Health Systems | Macon |
| David Sanders | Fannin Regional Hospital | Blue Ridge |
| Dr. Jeffrey Harris- OB/GYN | Jesup |
Another goal of the Committee will be to increase the flow of communication between hospitals and the state.
Earlier this year, Hearn announced Ty Cobb Regional Medical Center in Lavonia, which opened just two years ago, lost some $15-million dollars last year, largely due to non-payment from uninsured patients.
Ty Cobb Healthcare also recently closed on the sale of its three nursing home facilities in Royston, Hartwell, and Comer.
Hearn said earlier this year that he is actively seeking a larger healthcare system to partner with Ty Cobb.