The Glynn-Brunswick Memorial Hospital Authority is pleased to announce
the appointment of Valerie A. Hepburn, Ph.D. as the newest member of the
Hospital Authority. A St. Simons Island resident, she was nominated by
the Glynn County Commission.
Hepburn has extensive knowledge of the health care field and is currently
serving a one-year appointment with the University of Georgia leading
a system-wide initiative to redesign health insurance and employee benefits
programs for over 100,000 employees and retirees. She recently completed
a 5-year term as the president of the College of Coastal Georgia and,
prior to that, spent more than two decades in academic and executive roles
specializing in health care policy, research, financing, and regulation.
"Glynn County is fortunate to have one of the outstanding regional
health care systems in Georgia, and we must work diligently to protect
the important economic and community benefits that our Health System provides,"
says Hepburn. "Strategic and engaged governance, in partnership with
businesses, citizens, and state and local government, will be essential
to the long-term success of our local Health System, one of the last remaining
publicly-governed systems in Georgia."
Carl Alexander, Hospital Authority chair, is pleased to welcome Hepburn
to the board and looks forward to working with her in this capacity. "We
are honored to have Valerie join the Authority. Her extensive knowledge
and experience, as well as her strong commitment to community service,
are valuable assets as we continue to strategize the growth of our Health
System to benefit our community."
Hepburn also serves as a board member for the Boys and Girls Club of Southeast
Georgia, the Glynn County Board of Health, and the Ty Cobb Educational
Foundation. In July 2014, she will assume the role of CEO of the Communities
of Coastal Georgia Foundation. She was recognized as one of four 2011
Power Women by Georgia Trend Magazine.
Hepburn replaces Mark A. Bedner, who chose not to seek reappointment. Mitchell
T. Jones, M.D., and Vance Hughes were reappointed to the Authority. Authority
members also include Carl Alexander, chair; Walter C. McNeely, secretary;
Michael D. Hodges, treasurer; Joanne M. Matukaitis, MSN, R.N., FABC, FAACVPR,
Robert Turner, and M.H. "Woody" Woodside.
The Hospital Authority is made up of nine members—the City Commission
nominates four, the County Commission nominates four =and one is a joint
city/county nominee. Authority members are then appointed by the sitting
members. Each of these members volunteers his or her time to oversee the
not-for-profit Health System.