Jan. 7, 2015 – Glynn-Brunswick Hospital Authority Secretary Walter
C. McNeely, who was honored with the Georgia Hospital Association’s
(GHA) Distinguished Service Award in November, was presented with the
award during a reception at the Southeast Georgia Health System Brunswick
Campus on Dec. 15.
McNeely was nominated by the Health System, and the award was presented
at the GHA’s annual membership meeting on Nov. 14 in Atlanta. McNeely
was unable to attend that ceremony, so the award was accepted on his behalf
by Glynn-Brunswick Memorial Hospital Authority Chair Carl Alexander, Joanne
Matukaitis, MSN, R.N., FABC, FAACVPR, vice chair, and M. H. "Woody" Woodside.
During the Dec. 15 reception, which was attended by Hospital Authority
and Camden Campus Advisory members, several of McNeely’s family
members, and many members of the community, McNeely was presented with
the award by Alexander, along with Gary R. Colberg, FACHE, president and
CEO of Southeast Georgia Health System. "Walter is widely known throughout
the community for his work in education and his unwavering support of
Southeast Georgia Health System," Alexander said. "I’ve
known him for a long time and his dedication is consistent and true."
Colberg said, "Mr. McNeely has spent the majority of his life in service
to improve the lives and circumstances of those who call Glynn County
home. He is loved and respected across the region for his decades of community
service that have changed the lives of many. We are very pleased he has
been awarded the GHA Distinguished Service Award and believe he is very
deserving of this honor."
A video about McNeely’s life and contributions to the community,
which was initially shown at the GHA convention, was also played at the
reception, followed by remarks from several community members. This included
an invocation by Rev. Craig Campbell, senior pastor of Zion Baptist Church
in Brunswick, and comments by Bill Jones III, senior advisor for Sea Island,
and Cornell Harvey, mayor of the City of Brunswick.
"There’s no one more deserving of this honor," Jones said.
"I’ve never known Walter not to be involved in community service,
and he has made an impact everywhere he has served. I value his leadership
and his friendship."
Harvey said that ‘service before self’ is how McNeely lives
his life. "Walter became my mentor when I was in high school and
it is because of his mentoring that I am who I am today. The City of Brunswick
is proud and honored to have him in our community."
"It is an honor to be given the trust and opportunity to serve the
community and I am humbled to receive this recognition," McNeely
said. "I would like to thank Gary Colberg, the Hospital Authority
and GHA for making it possible, as well as my wife for always being so
encouraging and keeping me focused. The Health System has come a long
way, and through its diverse progressiveness, it is fulfilling its vision
of being the region’s health care provider of choice."