Medical Center of Central Georgia names new CEO

On Sept. 12, Macon’s Medical Center of Central Georgia selected Dr. Ninfa Saunders to serve as the new president and Chief Executive Officer of the Medical Center and the Central Georgia Hospital System.
She will replace Don Faulk in this position on Oct. 1.
When Faulk was director, the hospital became Georgia’s second largest hospital. In addition, the hospital has been nationally recognized for nursing and other adult specialties. Because of Faulk, the hospital has grown to be what is known as a top-notch facility.
“I am honored to accept the position of President and CEO of this remarkable organization,” said
Saunders. “I am also humbled by the opportunity to follow the exceptional leadership of Don Faulk.
He has positioned this organization to be one of Georgia’s best. I look forward to working alongside a passionate, committed group of board members, physicians, employees, and healthcare executives to serve the needs of this community.”
Faulk announced his retirement last winter and he is going to retire in the fall of 2012. He served as president and CEO for the Medical Center of Central Georgia for 39 years and has left a large role for
Saunders to fill, but she has a strong record behind her.
Saunders is currently a distinguished faculty member at Emory University in Atlanta and an associate professor at Rutger’s University in New Jersey.
Saunders earned a doctorate in healthcare administration at the Medical University of South Carolina, a Master’s of Business Administration from Atlanta’s Emory University, a Master’s of Science in Nursing from the Rutgers University, and a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from Concordia college in the Philippines.
In addition, she was awarded the 2012 Outstanding Citizenship and Good Neighbor Award by the American Red Cross. She was named as South Jersey Magazine’s “Woman to Watch in New Jersey” in 2012.
Saunders comes from New Jersey where she was the president and COO of Virtua Health, which is the largest health system of south New Jersey.
Virtua Health runs four hospitals along with senior services/home care, ambulatory services, outpatient services and rehabilitation centers.
Saunders has close to 40 years of experience in the field and she was chosen for this position because she has a clinical background as well as experience and degrees in administration.
The Search Committee utilized a national search firm in order to find Saunders and she was chosen by a committee that included board members, administrators and physicians.
The Medical Center of Central Georgia and Central Georgia Hospital System boards of directors ratified the committee’s selection on Wed. Sept. 12, 2012.
Current President Faulk feels confident in the breadth and extent of the search for his replacement and he is sure that Saunders will be a great addition to the Medical Center of Central Georgia.
The Medical Center of Central Georgia thanks Faulk and his team of directors for their dedication and service to the hospital. They are excited for the new opportunities that Saunders will bring to the position.