The Community Leadership Council (CLC) was formed by Saint Joseph’s East Georgia to serve the ongoing needs of the community through best practices (advances in technology and services). CLC members will serve as health-care advocates and community ambassadors with the goal of improving the health outcomes for the community Saint Joseph’s serves.

The CLC is concentrating on six areas of health care: urgent care, Alan Welch, chair; emergency room and transportation, Jere Brady, chair; indigent care, Pastor Avis Williams, chair; community health needs, Lou Benjamin, chair; post hospital care, Mike Martin, chair; and government and community relations, Al Mayoros, chair. The Community Healthcare Needs Committee is currently studying the care and treatment of chronic disease patients. This one area of health care accounts for more than half of all healthcare dollars spent in the U.S. The committee is looking at ways to provide better chronic disease management and services to those currently afflicted by chronic illness. The committee meets regularly with physicians and other healthcare professionals.

“In the six months since the Community Leadership Council has been formed it has attracted a diverse membership from across Green and Putnam counties and begun to tackle the most critical community medical needs,” said Mike Huff, president of Saint Joseph’s East Georgia.

The Council has 30 members and is co-chaired by Greensboro residents, John Kaush and Larry Kurlander. For information regarding volunteer opportunities, contact Larry Kurlander at 970-513-8000 or ltk123@aol.com.

A community philanthropy campaign is underway to raise $15 million to provide furnishings, equipment, and fund indigent care and clinical research programs for a new, state-of-the-art hospital that Saint Joseph’s, Atlanta plans to build in the Lake Oconee area.

Campaign volunteers are working in partnership with Saint Joseph’s to support the new hospital which will offer the latest diagnostic, surgical and outpatient services. Without everyone’s participation, it will not be financially feasible for Saint Joseph’s, a non-profit hospital, to go forward with this much needed project. Please help make this dream a reality for our communities. Donations are tax-deductible and pledges may be made over five years. To make a pledge, or if you have any questions, please call Saint Joseph’s Mercy Foundation at 706-999-9920.