Georgia Alliance Adds Trio of Hospital Executives to Leadership Posts
The Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals announced today that it’s added a trio of Georgia hospital executives to leadership posts. Daniel Owens, CEO of the Emory University Hospitals in Midtown and Smyrna, has joined the Alliance’s Executive Committee, and Darcy Craven, CEO of Archbold Medical Center in Thomasville, and Ronald Dean, CEO of South Georgia Medical Center in Valdosta, have joined the Alliance’s Board of Directors.
“Like healthcare professionals all across Georgia, these leaders have shown vision, grit and determination to serve the healthcare needs of their respective communities during a pandemic that has stressed the resources of hospitals all across our nation,” said Monty Veazey, the CEO of the Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals. “They experience firsthand every day how healthcare policies affect their patients, access to care and the financial sustainability of hospitals that our communities rely on to protect Georgians’ health and lives. Daniel, Darcy and Ronald bring knowledge and passion to our mission, and I appreciate their willingness to serve in these capacities.”
Owens has worked in numerous healthcare positions at Emory since graduating from the university 27 years ago, rising through the ranks to become CEO of two Emory hospitals. In addition to his career, Owens is an active member of the Central Atlanta Progress Board, Georgia Hospital Association Board of Trustees, Midtown Alliance Board, Atlanta Heart Walk Board and a member of the Atlanta Rotary Club.
“It is an honor to be nominated to serve on the Executive Committee of the Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals,” said Owens. “Being able to work with such talented leaders across the great state of Georgia to improve lives and provide hope for the communities that we all serve is a great privilege. I look forward to charting a vision with my colleagues that will improve healthcare for all Georgians.”
Craven became president and CEO of Archbold Medical Center in August 2020. He came to Thomasville from Buffalo, N.Y., where he was the president of a health system that ran several hospitals in Western New York State. Though a native of Winnipeg, Canada, and a graduate of the University of Manitoba, he’s not new to the South, having served as leader of a health system in Florence, S.C., from 2010-16.
I’m excited to serve on the board for the Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals and in that role work together with hospital leaders from across the state to improve the health and well-being of our communities,” Craven said.
The Hospital Authority of Lowndes County and Valdosta named Dean as CEO of South Georgia Medical Center in August 2019. The Dothan, Ala., native came to Valdosta after a stint as CEO of the Troy Regional Medical Center. He spent 33 years at the Southeast Alabama Medical Center in his hometown, finishing out his time there as vice president for operations.
“I am pleased to be nominated to serve as a member of the Board of Directors for the Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals,” said Dean. “Georgia Hospitals and Health systems share in a common goal of serving the health and wellness needs of Georgians across the state. The GACH serves a vital role in promoting this very important mission.”