Gregory T. Talley

Evans Named Interim Chief Executive Officer

Valdosta, Ga. – Heath A. Evans has been named South Georgia Medical Center’s interim chief executive officer.

For the past year, Evans served as the chief operating officer at SGMC. Prior, Evans was affiliated with Community Health Systems, a for-profit health system, as the chief operating officer at East Georgia Regional Medical Center, Statesboro, and chief executive officer at Shands Live Oak, Fla.

As SGMC CEO, Evans will be responsible for setting strategy and direction, modeling the organization’s culture and behavior, building the executive team, and managing and directing the hospital’s resources, according to a press release.

“This profession has allowed me to work with a very diverse group of people who are making an extremely important impact on individual lives and our community as a whole,” Evans said. “We are an organization that people turn to for help at their worst times. I am honored to be entrusted with the level of responsibility that the CEO position carries. My goal is to unify the workforce and improve the overall services of the medical center.”

A graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Evans holds dual master’s degrees in health administration and business administration.

His professional background combines expertise in service line development, business performance, facility operations, patient satisfaction, and physician relations, to name a few. Evans is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, according to the hospital press release.

Evans began his health-care career as a firefighter/paramedic and flight paramedic, where he received recognition and commendations for service. He has also served as an assistant chief executive officer, healthcare analyst, and administrator for a physical therapy practice.

Attorney admitted to group

VALDOSTA — Gregory T. Talley, partner in the firm of Coleman Talley LLP, has become a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, one of the premier legal associations in North America.

The induction ceremony where Talley became a fellow took place recently before an audience of approximately 600 persons during the recent 2017 spring meeting of the College in Boca Raton, Fla., according to a press release.

Founded in 1950, the college is comprised of the best of the trial bar from the United States and Canada. Fellowship in the College is extended by invitation only and only after careful investigation, to those experienced trial lawyers of diverse backgrounds, who have mastered the art of advocacy and whose professional careers have been marked by the highest standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility and collegiality, according to the press release.

Lawyers must have a minimum of 15 years trial experience before they can be considered for fellowship.

Membership in the college cannot exceed 1 percent of the total lawyer population of any state or province. There are currently approximately 5,800 members in the United States and Canada, including active fellows, emeritus fellows, judicial fellows (members who ascended to the bench after their induction) and honorary fellows.

Talley specializes in the representation of individuals and businesses in all areas of civil trial litigation with an emphasis on medical malpractice and health-care liability defense, according to the press release. The newly inducted fellow is a graduate of Mercer University School of Law.

Shaw honored for business support

ATLANTA — State Rep. Jason Shaw of the 176th District has been recognized as a 10-year member of the National Federation of Independent Business, Georgia’s leading small-business association.

Shaw, has been a member of NFIB since 2007, according to a press release.

“Small business employs over 1.5 million Georgians and is the engine that drives Georgia’s economy. As a small-business owner, Rep. Shaw understands that,” said Nathan Humphrey, NFIB state director. “It’s refreshing to have small-business owners serving in the legislature that understand the issues affecting them, their employees and their families.”

While serving in the legislature, Shaw has earned a 100 percent NFIB voting record, supporting the small-business community by opposing burdensome rules and regulations and supporting legislation that makes it easier for small-business owners to expand and create jobs, according to the press release.