07/18/2024
Baxley & Appling County Hospital Authority board members accepted the resignation of Chief Executive Officer Andrea Graham on July 16, 2024. Graham was named CEO in February of 2022, having served as Interim CEO since June of 2021. Before becoming CEO, she served Appling Healthcare in leadership roles for more than seven years as Chief Operating Officer, Chief Quality Officer, and Director of Pharmacy.
In order to ensure an effective transition of leadership, Graham will not be leaving Appling Healthcare immediately. She will remain as CEO for a period of time until a successor or interim leader can be identified.
“We extend our sincere thanks to Andrea for her outstanding leadership and many significant contributions to our hospital system and our community,” said Cindy Tomberlin, Chair of the Baxley & Appling County Hospital Authority. “We wish her all the best in her future endeavors.”
In a special message sent to Appling Healthcare employees, Graham said in part, “I feel that we have done what we set out to do when I started my journey as CEO. Our focus was on building awareness of the importance of having quality healthcare in Appling County. I feel that this is the best decision for the organization and for all of you going forward. It is now another individual’s purpose to guide Appling Healthcare in a direction that community leaders and our board members can agree on for the sustainability of this wonderful organization.”
She added, “I have full confidence in every one of you to continue driving Appling Healthcare forward with the same dedication and passion that has defined us so far.”
Graham earned her Doctorate of Pharmacy from Mercer University in 2004 and her Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration in 2023. In 2020, she received the first Outstanding Servant Leadership Award from PharmD on Demand. Additionally, she has earned her Black Belt in Lean Six Sigma and was named Appling Healthcare’s Champion for Studor Group. In January of 2023, Graham graduated from Leadership GHA Class of 2022-23, a prestigious and intensive healthcare leadership development program of the Georgia Hospital Association.
She has also earned the distinction of becoming a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, a credential which is considered the gold standard for board certification in health management.
Graham serves on the Southeast Georgia Rural Community Network board as their secretary and on GHA’s Center for Rural Health board.
Andrea Graham, pictured center
