Stonish Pierce, FACHE, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Trinity Health Georgia (THGA), was appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Georgia Hospital Association (GHA). This announcement was made at the association’s Annual Meeting of the Assembly on July 11. Pierce will serve as an At-Large Trustee, with duties that include working with the Board to develop strategies for GHA hospital members, advocating for the highest quality care for patients, and supporting adequate reimbursement for hospitals.

Pierce also serves as President and CEO of THGA, which includes St. Mary’s Health Care System. He is specifically the CEO of St. Mary’s Health Care System and President of its flagship facility, St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens. Under his leadership, the health system has expanded care access by introducing three new outpatient sites and broadening hospital-based services such as bronchoscopy, cath lab, medical detox, and wound care. During his tenure, St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital has also received CMS 5-Star recognition and the Small Hospital of the Year award.

Before joining THGA, Pierce held various progressive leadership roles across the country. His experience includes serving as Chief Operating Officer at Holy Cross Health (Trinity Health) in Fort Lauderdale, Florida; System Vice President of Operations at Beaumont Health in Royal Oak, Michigan; Regional Chief Operating and Chief Business Development Officer at Presence Health in Chicago, Illinois; Manager, Clinical Services at Palomar Health in San Diego, California; and Administrative Resident at the VA Medical Center in Los Angeles, California.

“Stonish Pierce is an influential healthcare leader who is dedicated to improving healthcare access for all,” said GHA President and CEO Caylee Noggle. “He has a wide range of healthcare experience that will serve our Board well, and we look forward to his service.”

Pierce is an active board member for several organizations, including the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce, The Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals, USC Price Health Policy and Management, and the Central Michigan University MHA Program. He has been recognized with numerous accolades, such as the American College of Healthcare Executives’ (ACHE) regional Early Career Healthcare Executive and Exemplary Service Awards, the USC Price School’s 90 Pioneers of 90 Years award, and was previously named one of the Top 25 Emerging Leaders by Modern Healthcare.

Pierce earned a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and a Master of Health Administration with a graduate certificate in management, all from the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles.