New NEGMC head looking forward to 'dogwoods and azalias'

GAINESVILLE - James E. Gardner, Jr. has been named the new President and CEO of Northeast Georgia Medical Center and Health System (NGHS), according to Philip Wilheit, chairman of the Northeast Georgia Health System Board and its CEO Search Committee.

"After many months of interviews and consideration, the CEO Search Committee has selected James E. Gardner, Jr. to lead Northeast Georgia Health System," says Wilheit. "We are excited about the leadership and experience he will bring to NGHS as he works to continue the visionary course set by John A. Ferguson, Jr. during his 40-year career with NGHS."

Dr. Pierpont Brown, who also served on the search committee, said Gardner is "very intelligence, articulate. He has a broad base of experience."

"He knows his business," Dr. Brown added. "When he interviewed he was probably better prepared than any of the candidates who came through."

There were eight finalists for the job.

Gardner will begin working at NGHS in mid-March to ensure a successful transition before the retirement of current President and CEO John A. Ferguson, Jr. in April 2004.

A resident of Casper, Wyoming, Gardner served as President and CEO of Wyoming Medical Center, located in Casper, a position he has held since 2001.

"It's a tremendous professional opportunity because of (the medical center's) size and complexity, and I already know it's going to be a wonderful place to live," said Gardner, who is a native of the South. "So, I'm looking forward to dogwoods and azalias."

Wyoming Medical Center is a 225-bed, not-for-profit tertiary regional medical center, which contains a Level II trauma center and numerous outreach facilities. Prior to leading Wyoming Medical Center, Gardner worked for 11 years in the Christus Health System, Dallas, Texas as President and CEO of three of its hospitals: Christus St. Patrick Hospital in Lake Charles, Louisiana; Christus St. Mary's Hospital in Port Arthur, Texas; and Christus St. Mary's Hospital in Galveston, Texas.

He holds a Master's Degree in Health Administration from the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, Va., and a Bachelor of Science Degree in finance from Virginia Commonwealth University, also in Richmond.

Gardner and his wife, Judy, grew up in Virginia and they have family in Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia.