HomeTown Health, LLC held its 21st Annual Fall Conference at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia, October 20-23, 2020. The annual event includes breakout sessions and presentations from industry experts, hospital leaders, established public figures and healthcare leaders on a local and state level. Additionally, it is a time where HomeTown Health recognizes rural hospital employees for their success at their facility during the previous year.

“It is truly our pleasure to work alongside hospital leaders throughout the state that serve in rural facilities. It is an even greater pleasure to be able to recognize those leaders as they excel in their communities each year.” says Kristy Thomson, COO of HomeTown Health.

Elbert Memorial Hospital in Elberton, Georgia was named the 2020 HomeTown Health Hospital of the Year. Elbert Memorial Hospital was chosen for providing exemplary commitment in rural hospital leadership by adopting “best practices” for rural hospital improvement, maintaining a commitment to staff education, undertaking incredible efforts of innovation of services and stabilization of patient care provision, aggressive proactivity in hospital staffing considerations, partnership involvement and future-focused outcomes, as well as advocating to state policymakers while emphasizing technological advances and showcasing a dedication to superior patient care.

Barry Bloom, CEO at Jeff Davis Hospital, was recognized as the recipient of the 2020 Hospital Leader of the Year, recognized for exemplary leadership and dedication to advancement of stability, cooperative approach to leadership and excellence, dedication to staff and community outcomes, and commitment to hospital success solutions.

Tiffany Varnadoe, CFO of Burke Medical Center, received the 2020 CFO of the Year award for her demonstrated leadership and best practice focus within revenue stabilization and commitment to financial success of her facility.

Mike Wyche, Director of Reimbursement at Colquitt Regional Medical Center, was announced as the 2020 Business Office Leader of the Year, "chosen for outstanding leadership in sharing best practices in the business office, effective leadership of his team and staff, dedication to his facility’s success and his commitment to excellence and revenue cycle improvement.”

Ginger Hall, Chief Nursing Officer at Emanuel Medical Center, was recognized as the 2020 Nurse Executive of the Year, for providing exceptional leadership by adopting “best practices” for rural hospital improvement, for her well-established commitment to staff education and leadership development, and her dedication to superior patient care while emphasizing technological advances at her facility.

Draffin Tucker, LLP healthcare accounting firm and gold level business partner with HomeTown Health, was awarded the 2020 Business Partner of the Year. “This coveted award is presented each year by HomeTown Health to one of 60 Business partners who exhibit extraordinary support and dedication to HomeTown Health hospitals, commitment to excellence, exceptional customer service, and for their tireless efforts in helping rural hospitals survive,” said HomeTown’s CEO Jimmy Lewis. “This year, in the midst of all the financial considerations of COVID-19, Draffin Tucker’s team has stepped up to serve our hospitals with critical educational updates, regulatory guidelines and best practices, and full-service support. They have always been a valuable part of our network, but this year, they were invaluable and we can’t thank them enough for their partnership with us and our hospitals.”

In addition to the awards presented, HomeTown Health recognized the graduates of its 2020 Leadership Development Program. The HomeTown Health Leadership Development program is designed to better equip the rural hospital industry with leadership to transform into tomorrow’s health care delivery system. Each year, hospitals nominate outstanding leaders from within their organizations for this intensive study and professional development program focused on providing them with skills and information to better serve their hospital in the future.

The 2020 Leadership Graduates who are members of healthcare/hospital teams are:

• Appling Hospital, Tyler Avera - Financial Controller

• Clinch Memorial Hospital, Donna Jones - Director of Human Resources

• Clinch Memorial Hospital, George Johnson - Materials Management Manager

• Effingham Health System, Kelly Brannen - Patient Access Manager

• Effingham Health System, Sharon Etuk - Accounts Payable Manager

• Effingham Health System, Lindsey Clay - Accountant II

• Elbert Memorial Hospital, Russell Toms - Director of Radiology & Patient Safety

• Upson Regional Medical Center, Jessica Yopp - Billing Specialist

• Upson Regional Medical Center, Heidi Cox - Clinical Leader

In addition to hospital participants, a limited number of best practice Business Partners are given the opportunity to nominate a member of their team into the Leadership Program. 2020 This year’s business partner graduate is Clark Bishop from Azalea Health.