August 11, 2015 – After 14 years of service, Gary R. Colberg, FACHE,
has announced his decision to resign as president and chief executive
officer (CEO) of Southeast Georgia Health System.
“It is with mixed emotions that I have decided to tender my resignation,”
said Colberg. “As I reflect on my tenure at Southeast Georgia Health
System, I believe that the entire management team contributed significantly
to the operational and financial growth of our organization during those
years, overcoming a number of adversities along the way. As to the team
that I have built, I truly believe that they are quite capable of carrying
on our objectives.”
Colberg has been extremely active in all facets of health care and the
Southeast Georgia community over the last 14 years. During his tenure,
Colberg has overseen the Health System’s expansion of its facilities
and services to include the Outpatient Care Center, Senior Care Centers
in St. Marys and Brunswick, the Center for Educational Development, Medical
Plazas in St. Marys and Brunswick and the Nunnally House, a lodging facility
for cancer patients and family members of critical care patients. Additionally,
Colberg has brought innovative technology to the communities of Southeast
Georgia, including the Wellness on Wheels (WOW) mobile health vehicle,
the CyberKnife Robotic Radiosurgery System to provide cutting-edge cancer
treatment, and the daVinci Robotic Surgery System. Most recently, Colberg
was instrumental in laying the foundation for the proposed Coastal Community
Health affiliation with Baptist Health System and Flagler Hospital. His
many accomplishments have been routinely recognized throughout his tenure
at the Health System. In fact, in 2011, Colberg was named CEO of the Year
by the Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals.
Carl Alexander, who serves as Chair of Southeast Georgia Health System,
Inc., offered the following sentiments: “On behalf of the board
of directors, I want to thank Gary for his extraordinary contributions
over the past 14 years as our president and CEO. During his leadership,
Gary ushered in an era of medical excellence and community support. Under
his direction, the Health System has brought critical new medical services,
programs and physicians to the people of Southeast Georgia. He has served
the Health System and the community well.”
The Health System’s board of directors has selected Michael D. Scherneck,
who currently serves as executive vice president and chief financial officer
(CFO), to serve as interim president and CEO, in addition to his continued
role as CFO. “We are fortunate as a board to be able to name Michael
Scherneck as interim president and CEO in order to achieve continuity
in leadership,” says Alexander. “Mike has been an integral
part of this Health System’s leadership for 12 years and has an
impressive track record. We have every confidence in his ability to lead
the Health System.”
Although Colberg is moving on to new endeavors, he leaves behind a legacy
of dedicated service and admirable achievements that will continue to
enhance the Health System and the community of Southeast Georgia.