ST. MARY'S - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Mrs. Chisholm is an NCAA athletic compliance consultant with more than 25 years of collegiate athletic experience, from tennis student-athlete to senior-level administrator. She has strong familiarity with, understanding of, and practical experience with major issues concerning student-athlete welfare and conduct, gender equity, academic enhancement and performance, and the role of and relationship between intercollegiate athletics and higher education.
Since 2010, she has owned and managed Chisholm Consulting LLC, an independent athletic consultant. Past experience includes progressive experience with the University of Georgia Compliance Office and, before that, with the Office of Athletic Compliance at Syracuse University in Syracuse, N.Y.
She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in sports marketing and management and her Masters of Science degree in athletic administration from Marshall University, Huntington, W.V. She is married to C.R. Chisholm and has two sons. She is president of the Westminster Christian Academy Parents Association, former president of Athens Area Cancer Auxiliary, and a Sustainer with the Junior League of Athens.
Job Titles:
- Chief
- HR Officer
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
Beth is a human resources professional who brings more than 20 years of progressive experience to her role in the areas of recruiting, Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS), employee and labor relations, colleague engagement, community outreach and benefits administration.
In her current role, Beth has executive responsibility for all aspects of human resources across St. Mary's. She provides strategic direction and vision for HR operations and leads and coordinates HR functions as a member of the HR ministry team at a local and national level within Trinity Health. She is a key trusted advisor in providing collaborative partnerships with leaders and colleagues.
She began her HR career with Reynolds Lake Oconee in 2002, then joined the St. Mary's family in 2012, working in St. Mary's main HR office until 2014. She was then named Director of Community Outreach and Administrative Services for St. Mary's Good Samaritan Hospital in Greensboro, progressing to Director of Administrative and Support Services, a position she held until her promotion to CHRO for the system.
Beth earned her Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Georgia College and State University and then her Master's degree in Health Care Administration from Capella University. She is a certified Just Culture trainer and is a Professional in Human Resources (PHR).
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Member of the First United Methodist Church of Greensboro
Mrs. Thomas was born and raised in Greensboro. She and her husband of 25 years, Bobby, still reside in the city. They have two sons: Jack, a 2023 graduate of the College of Charleston, and Will, a junior at the College of Charleston.
After graduating from Wake Forest University in 1994 with an English degree, Mrs. Thomas enrolled in the University of Georgia, where she earned her master's degree in Early Childhood Education in 1996 and specialist degree in Educational Leadership in 2000. She spent four years as a 1st grade teacher at Greensboro Primary School under the leadership of Dr. Joan Antone and then served as Director of the Greensboro Dreamers, a non-profit education-based program founded by Tom and Kathy Kelly, for 18 years. Mrs. Thomas now serves as the REACH Georgia Coordinator and is a member of the Wraparound Team for the Greene County School System.
Mrs. Thomas is a member of the First United Methodist Church of Greensboro, where she serves on the Missions Committee. She is a past board member of Athens Technical College Foundation and is a current board member of BankSouth Foundation and Neighbors Helping Neighbors. She is also the Co-Chair of the Greene County Christmas Stocking Fund.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Mr. Moore is a retired attorney who bought property in Greensboro in 2008 and has lived here full time since 2019. He was born and raised in Minnesota, obtaining his undergraduate degree at Carleton College and Juris Doctor degree at the University of Minnesota School of Law. After two years of law practice in Minneapolis, he spent the next thirty-five years as an in-house lawyer with the Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minn., including eight years as Mayo's Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel. He also served seven years as an Adjunct Professor Law at the William Mitchell School of Law in St. Paul, Minn. Mr. Moore moved to Asheville, N.C., in 2002 and retired in 2007.
Mr. Moore brings extensive experience in community service to his role on the Good Samaritan Hospital Governance Board. While in Minnesota, he served on numerous civic boards including leadership positions with the Minnesota Zoo Foundation, University of Minnesota Law Alumni Association, Rochester Human Rights Commission, Rochester Police Civil Service Commission, Rochester City Counsel Advisory Committee, and Rochester Art Center among others. In Asheville, Mr. Moore's community service included nine years as a member of the Boards of Directors of Mission Hospital and Mission Health System. In both locations, Mr. Moore was also active as a coach for various youth sports teams and served on a number of youth sports organizations. He was also a guest lecturer to both schools and service organizations on the intersection of law, medicine and ethics, and about his other passions, adventure travel and nature photography.
Mr. Moore and his wife, Linda - who is also a health law attorney - have four adult children.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
- President, Medical Group
Job Titles:
- Chief Nursing Officer
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Charles grew up in Royston and graduated from Franklin County High School in 1981. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Agronomy in 1985 from the University of Georgia and a master's in agriculture education from Clemson University in 1994. Charles worked for University of Georgia Faculty in the College of Agriculture, County Extension Director. He advanced to Senior Public Service Associate, comparable to Senior Professor. Charles retired in 2013. He is a member of Hartwell First United Methodist Church and has been a Sunday School teacher for 37 years.
He is a Stephens Minister and is the chairman for the Stephens Ministry at Hartwell First UMC. Charles also serves on the Executive Board for the University of Georgia's Archway in Hart County Committee and the Archway Agriculture Committee. Charles has been married to Caren for 35 years. They have three children and one granddaughter.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Chairman, Trinity Health of Georgia Board of Directors
Mrs. Morris is a workforce development and marketing professional with more than 30 years' progressive experience in the field. She serves as Workforce Development Director for the Development Authority of Walton County, a position she has held since 2017.
Previous experience includes Public Relations Coordinator with the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development at the University of Georgia; Marketing Director for George Walton Academy in Monroe, Ga.; Principle of Dessa Morris Consulting from 1998-2015; Manager of Foreign Market Development with the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council; President of the Walton County Chamber of Commerce; Membership Coordinator and Executive Director of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce; and Deputy Legislative Director of Berger, Boyette, Bockorny & Clough in Washington D.C.
She earned her Bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Georgia Terry College of Business. Mrs. Morris earned a Master's degree in public administration from Troy University in 2015.
Mrs. Morris has an extensive history of volunteer service. In addition to her service on the Trinity Health Georgia and St. Mary's Hospital boards, highlights include Faith In Serving Humanity executive committee, Georgia 4-H, Beta Nu finance advisor and facilities advisor for Alpha Delta Pi sorority, Walton County Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Walton County President, and a variety of leadership roles at St. Anna's Catholic Church.
Mrs. Morris is married to her college sweetheart, Michael Morris. They are the parents of William, a recent graduate of the University of Mississippi ("Ole Miss") Law School, and Patrick, a senior at Georgia College.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Education / Clemson University
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Dr. Parks began training as a Bausch & Lomb Science Scholar, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology at University of Rochester, NY, followed by a post-baccalaureate year at University of Minnesota. Returning to Atlanta to attend Atlanta University, he graduated with a Master of Science degree in Biology (Physiology) while working at Grady Memorial Hospital as Nurse's Assistant with the first Burn Unit team. After being accepted to and earning his Medical degree from Medical College of Georgia, he completed a Pediatric Residency with honors at University of Florida; a Fellowship in Pediatric Cardiology at Emory University; and then joined the Emory University Pediatric Faculty as an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Pediatric Cardiologist, practicing as the first Pediatric Cardiac Intensivist and Interim Director of the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at Egleston Children's Hospital.
Dr. Parks is recognized as a pioneer in researching, developing, and modifying MRI and CT technologies for adaptation and use in children with heart disease, which led to the establishment of the Pediatric Cardiac MRI and CT programs at Egleston Children's Hospital and Emory University. As a Fellow with The American Board of Pediatrics (FABP), The American Academy Pediatrics (FAAP), The American College of Cardiology (FACC), The North American Society of Cardiovascular Imaging (FNASCI) and The American Heart Association (FAHA), he served on many national, international, regional, state, and institutional committees, conferences, community outreach programs.
His 40+ year career as a clinician, intensivist, scientist, instructor, ethicist, mentor, author, and researcher with Emory University School of Medicine, his collaboration with The Georgia Institute of Technology Bio-Medical Engineering Department, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and other national and international pediatric cardiology programs contributed to significant innovations in imaging and surgical modifications for the treatment of heart disease in children. As an Associate Professor of Pediatrics and later a full dual promotion to Professor of Pediatrics and Professor of Radiology at Emory University, he was honored with Emeritus Status at The Emory University Emeritus College at retirement.
Dr. Parks resides in Greensboro, Ga., enjoying golf and volunteering in the community with his wife Leanne, and spending time with family and grandchildren.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Member of Historic Springfield Baptist Church
Dr. Joan V. Antone, a 40+ year veteran of the public educational system, is a former administrator for the Greene County School System. Serving as principal of Greensboro Elementary School for 22 years, she held one of the longest tenures for any administrator in the district to date.
Now retired, Dr. Antone serves on several Boards: Atlas Ministry, Inc., Oconee Valley HealthCare, Greene County DFCS Advisory Board, St. Mary's Good Sam's Governance Board and Habitat for Humanity. She is a member of Greene County Retired Educators, Chair of the Scholarship Committee and Vice President. She serves on the Board of Our Father's Kitchen and prepares lunches for the hungry each fourth Saturday.
Dr. Antone is a member of Historic Springfield Baptist Church (HSBC) where she serves on the Deaconess Board. She is the Director of Ministry and sings in the HSBC Sanctuary Choir. She is married to Nicholas L. Antone, Jr., a retired educator as well. They have two children, Raja C. Antone and Ava N. Antone-Weaver. She is a life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She serves as a Mentor for a couple of UGA students. Dr. Antone believes in providing service to all mankind. She is one of the contacts for Neighbors Helping Neighbors.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Retired International Vice President of Johnson & Johnson
Ed Perkins is a retired International Vice President of Johnson & Johnson and past President of Noramco, a Johnson & Johnson Company headquartered in Athens, Ga.
Active in the community, he serves on the Dean's Advisory Board of the University of Georgia (UGA) School of Engineering and is a member of the UGA Board of Visitors. He is a past President and current Executive Committee member of the St. Mary's Health Care System Foundation.
He has previously served on the Executive Committees of the Athens Area Community Foundation and the United Way of Northeast Georgia. He served on the Board of the UGA Research Foundation, the UGA Innovation Gateway Incubator and on the Board of the Oconee County Development Authority.
Originally from Memphis, Tenn., he attended the University of Virginia graduating with a degree in Chemical Engineering. He and his wife, Jan, live in Oconee County, Ga.
Job Titles:
- Chief Medical Officer
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Gary Usry has been a resident of Greene County for 52 years. He and his wife, Machelle, have been married for 38 years and have two children. Gary has owned and operated Greensboro Tire Pros for over 40. His business was named Greene County High School's Business Education Partner of the Year and most recently received the 2023 Greene Chamber of Commerce Heartbeat Award in recognition of contributions to community charities and non-profits.
Gary is currently serving his seventh year as Chairman of the Greene County Board of Commissioners. He is a former Greensboro City Councilman for 11 years and served as Mayor Protem for four years. He also served as a member of the Greene County Recreational Board, Tri-County Gas Authority Board, Downtown Development Authority Board and Department Head for Greensboro Fire Department.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Gwendolyn Merritt is the daughter of the late Ben and Irene Merritt. She was born November 4th 1951 in Canon, Ga. She graduated from Hart CountyTraining School in Hartwell Georgia in 1969. After graduation she begin working as a nursing assistance at BrownMemorial Convalescent Center in Royston Ga. She felt she had a special connection with the elderly and wanted to pursue a career in nursing. She attended Albany State college in Albany, Georgia and received a B S in Nursing.
She worked at Brown throughout college and was transferred to Cobb Memorial hospital after graduation.
She has worked in almost every area of nursing over her 40+ year career and retired from St. Mary's Sacred Heart in Lavonia, Georgia in 2019. She is presently employed at The Gables at Cobb Village in Royston Georgia.
She is a member of Harmony Grove Baptist in Canon, Georgia and enjoys gardening, fishing, traveling and bird watching.
Job Titles:
- Deputy Chief
- Member of the Board of Directors
Deputy Chief Harrison Daniel has served with the Athens-Clarke County Police Department (ACCPD) since 2004 and is the Operational Support Bureau Chief who oversees all criminal investigations and administrative functions. Before his appointment as Deputy Chief, he steadily rose in the ranks as an officer in field operations, a detective in the Criminal Investigations Division (CID) Special Victims Unit, and a sergeant in both field operations and criminal investigations. He also served as the CID lieutenant in the Persons Crime Section, the Commander of the Office of Professional Standards, and the Division Captain overseeing standards, records, and training.
He is a double graduate of the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the Department of Public Administration and Policy within the School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA). Deputy Chief Daniel values blending academic research and theory with the practical experiences and knowledge of a field practitioner to develop innovative policing strategies and improve public service delivery in law enforcement.
Deputy Chief Daniel is a recipient of the Governor's Office of Public Safety Award for Acts of Heroism and the American Red Cross Law Enforcement Hero Award.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Sheriff Ira Edwards, Jr. (Ret.), was born in Dublin, Ga., and attended the University of Georgia, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology with a focus in Criminal Studies. He received his Master's degree in Public Administration from Columbus State University, where he was inducted into the Pi Alpha Alpha Honor Society, graduating with honors. He is a graduate of the National Sheriff's Institute, where he was nominated as class president. He is also a graduate of the F.B.I. National Academy Session 239 and the FBI Leadership Executive Development Program Session 71.
Sheriff Edwards is the first African-American elected in the history of Clarke County and the first to win a county-wide election as a constitutional officer. He has served in law enforcement for 35 years, including 20 years as Sheriff of Clarke County.
Sheriff Edwards currently has a private consultant business and is an adjunct instructor for Athens Technical College, where he is committed to educating our youth to succeed in life. He currently serves on the executive board for FBI LEEDA, where he was past president, and works part time for IXP Corporation. He is also a board member for the Athens Tutorial Program in Athens-Clarke County, Ga.
Sheriff Edwards is an ordained minister and has been married to his lovely wife, Teresa Pearson Edwards, for 40 years. He and Teresa have three adult children - Lamar, Brandon and Jasmine - and a granddaughter, Jaida. His motto is "service above self."
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Jean M. Meyer, RN, MSN, has worked in healthcare for almost 40 years, beginning her career as an oncology nurse. Most recently she was the Senior Vice President and Chief Nurse Executive for Prisma Health, the largest health system in South Carolina. She started working at Prisma in 2021 and was responsible for the acute care operations of the system's 10 acute care hospitals, including providing strategic and operation oversight for the 8,000 nurses within the health system. She retired on Sept. 30, 2023.
Prior to Prisma, Jean was the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Ascension Michigan, and was responsible for operational alignment of the Ascension ministries within the state. As COO, she was responsible for integrating operational, financial and clinical systems throughout the state to improve service, reduce cost and enhance quality. These 14 hospitals generated $4.2 billion in revenue.
Prior to her COO role within Michigan, she was a hospital CEO, a system CNO and the CEO of the seven-hospital region in southeast Michigan, St. John Providence. Jean was honored in 2016 as one of the "100 Most Influential Women in Michigan" by Crain's Detroit Business. Before Michigan, she spent 16 years in Indiana at St. Vincent Hospital, another Ascension market.
Jean has both front-line patient care experience as an advanced practice oncology nurse and executive leadership experience. Jean is collaborative and develops true partnerships with physicians and other key stakeholders as she prioritizes quality, satisfaction, provider engagement and operational efficiency.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
- SVP, Hospital Operations
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Good Samaritan Hospital Board Chair
- Retired Partner With Peat
Mr. Foos is a retired Partner with Peat, Marwick, Mitchell and Co. (now KPMG) and retired Chief Financial Officer of Independence Blue Cross. A certified public accountant, he continues to serve on the Board of Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina and on its Audit and Compliance Committee and Executive Committee.
Mr. Foos also serves on the board of directors of HutsonWood Inc., an owner/operator of skilled nursing facilities, specialty children's health facilities and affordable housing communities. Previously, he served on the boards of the Alleghany Corporation, a New York Stock Exchange company with primary operations in international insurance and reinsurance, and HAI Group, a property/casualty insurer for public housing and affordable housing organizations.
A resident of Greensboro, Mr. Foos earned his bachelor of science degree in accounting from Susquehanna University.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Sacred Heart Hospital Board Chair
Upon earning his masters degree from East Tennessee State University, John Herron began a thirty-four year career in health care administration. From personnel and public relations director to hospital CEO, he has served hospitals in Tennessee and Georgia, ranging from 44 to 500 beds. While administrator with the Georgia Baptist Healthcare System, he oversaw the building of the new Baptist North Hospital in Cumming, Ga. The hospital has been sold, and is now Northside Forsyth.
During his healthcare career he chaired several professional boards: Tennessee Hospital Alliance for Medicaid, Georgia Hospital Association Workers Compensation Fund Board, and the Georgia State Service Council of the American Red Cross. He also held membership on other boards: Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education, Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy, Northeast Georgia Counseling Advisory Board, the Hart County Hospital Authority, and the Bell Family YMCA Board (Finance Committee Chair). He was a Rotarian (Paul Harris Fellow) for 30 years, and was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Hartwell (past Distinguished President) for 18 years.
He currently holds Life Fellow membership status with the American College of Healthcare Executives. He serves as Board Chair of St. Mary's Sacred Hospital in Lavonia, Ga., and is a board member of Trinity Health Georgia. He also chairs the Hart County Imagination Library Community Action Team, and sings with the Athens Symphony Chorus.
He and his wife (Donna) celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2020. They are members at Hartwell First United Methodist Church. Both their son and daughter are married and have blessed them with two granddaughters and a grandson.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
John currently serves as the Senior Vice President / North Market Manager for Pinnacle Bank where he has worked since 2008 in different roles. The North Market covers Franklin and Hart counties in Georgia. Pinnacle Bank currently has four branches within the two counties, and John works with each of the teams in those branches to serve their customers' banking needs. Pinnacle Bank provides everything from basic checking/savings accounts to wealth management, consumer loan products and commercial loan products, as well as a full suite of business services with the business accounts they offer.
John says, "My passion in banking is a desire to help people achieve their dreams both from a customer standpoint as well as my team."
Prior to banking, John worked with Harbin Lumber Company for almost 11 years in various roles. He started with the company straight out of college as the first management trainee for the company. His roles with Harbin Lumber included Door and Window Plant manager, sales manager, and vice president of the Building Materials Division.
John has also served on several non-profit boards and committees, including chair of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, Northeast Georgia Homebuilders Association (Treasurer), Franklin County Industrial Building Authority board, Franklin County High School advisory board, and Extension Loan Fund board for the IPHC.
John's greatest accomplishment is marrying his wife of 27 years, Keena Hylton, and raising two beautiful daughters, Aleah Bailey and Ava Hylton
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
- VP, Mission Services
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Mrs. Hopkins has lived in and been a part of the Greensboro community since 2006. She is the Director of Hospitality and Administration at Oconee Brewing Co., the Preschool Director at Greensboro First United Methodist Church, and serves as the co-chair for the MOPs (Mothers of Preschoolers), an organization which she help begin in the Lake Oconee area.
She has previously served as the Vice Chair for the St. Mary's Young Professionals Advisory Board. She and her husband, Tad, and their two daughters, Libby and Mary-Wilkes, live in downtown Greensboro where they enjoy renovating their 102-year-old home on Main Street.
Liz Schoen - Chief Legal Officer
Job Titles:
- General Counsel
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Toby joined his wife at Excelsis after serving seven years in the Office of Government Relations at the University of Georgia (UGA), concluding in the role of Vice President, which leads federal, state and community relations for the university. Toby joined UGA in 2015 as Associate Vice President for Government Relations and Director of State Relations, which included serving as liaison to the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. Prior to UGA, he was appointed by former Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal and subsequently confirmed by the State House and Senate Transportation Committees to serve as Director of Planning for the Georgia Department of Transportation. This senior leadership role at GDOT directed and oversaw the annual allocation of billions in funding for critical transportation and mobility projects statewide.
Prior to entering the political sphere, Toby worked in project management and sales in the residential and light commercial construction industry.
Toby has served on several boards, including the Georgia Society of St. Vincent de Paul and the Georgia Council on Economic Education, and he has been a member of numerous committees related to executive search, strategic advice, evaluation of grant applications and implementation of major initiatives.
Toby graduated magna cum laude from UGA with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Engineering and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance. Originally from Dunwoody, Ga., he resides in Watkinsville with his wife, Kellen, and their four children.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors