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HH Lincoln Health: Two Years of Community Care

by | Jan 2025

HH Lincoln Health President Mary Beth Seals shared an update in an August 2024 press release on the system’s second year of providing care for the Lincoln County community. She noted various additions to the staff and services and highlighted many programs, partnerships, and participants that combine to offer residents an ever-increasing number of local health care benefits. 

“This has been another fantastic year for our health system. Since joining Huntsville Hospital Health System to become HH Lincoln Health on July 1, 2022, we have been working hard to expand our services, update our facilities, and attract more physicians to the area while continuing our long tradition of providing safe, high-quality care that improves lives,” said Seals.

The following individuals joined the system’s leadership teams: Chief Financial Officer Tammy Cobb; Chief Nursing Officer Max Tunstill; Information Technology Director John Lavender; Med Surg and ICU Director Shana Jennings; Donalson Care Center Administrator JD Davis; and Donalson Care Center Director of Nursing Rachel Hicks. All employees and providers completed high-reliability organization training, providing consistently excellent patient care with a focus on safety.

The network of local physicians grew to include Fayetteville Medical Associates, part of the HH Physician Care Network since 2017, and Nurse Practioner Brittany Swinford. Dr. Dinesh Gupta now offers a cardiology program, and TeamHealth now employs the emergency department and hospitalist providers. A general surgeon, Dr. Bonnie Lee, and an orthopedic surgeon, Dr. LeRoy Gurganious, are also now part of the local network. 

The system prides itself on investing in Lincoln County’s future health care needs. It hosted its second annual Student Advisory Board, advising and guiding teenagers interested in the medical field. It also provided CPR training kits to local schools with the American Heart Association.

The system’s commitment to community shined through its participation in Don’t Be Fooled, mock interviews at the high schools, Prom Promise, One Day of Hope, the Lincoln County Fair, and community health fairs. Other events included a food drive that collected over 2,900 items for Hands of Mercy, a family fun day at the Patrick for foster families, and events at Donalson Care Center throughout the year for residents and families. It strengthened its partnership with Always Endure to better serve its patients, and the Lion’s Club updated the chapel.

Renovations were completed at the Patrick Rehab & Wellness Center, and more are expected in the future, thanks in part to the added support of The Friends of Patrick.

The Foundation actively worked throughout the year to raise funds and resources for the health system. It hosted the “Petals of Inspiration” event, which featured music by Leah Blevins and a talk by speaker Heather Mason, successfully raising awareness and donations. Additionally, the Foundation launched the Lifesaver Club, an employee-giving program that involved a committee of six employees to decide on equipment purchases. Since last January, the Foundation has allocated $10,000 for equipment, $2,500 for employee assistance, and awarded nearly $15,000 in scholarships to local students. It also approved renovations for the gift shop. 

The system bestowed the following honors and awards: the Daisy Award to two nurses, the Good Catch Award spotlighting employees, employees of the quarter/year, and the Bee Award recognizing nonclinical staff ’s impact on patients. The recently formed Better Together Committee now spotlights and highlights different cultures and promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

Volunteers selflessly serve patients, families, guests, and staff members. Their duties include greeting you at the front door, serving snacks on the coffee cart, operating the gift shop, and celebrating and caring for our hospice patients and their families. A Chaplaincy Program composed of volunteer chaplains is available 24/7. 

WellSky recognized Home Health and Hospice as one of the Top 25 HHCAHPS, BlueCross BlueShield of TN Quality Care Quarterly Winter 2023 edition featured Fayetteville Medical Associates, and Becker’s Hospital Review recognized HH Lincoln Health President Mary Beth Seals as a “Rural Hospital CEO to Know.” Dr. William Jones celebrated serving our community for over 44 years. 

“We have already achieved incredible things, and we know this is just the beginning. We are moving forward and are thankful to have the opportunity to serve Lincoln County and the surrounding areas,” stated Seals. “We know that we would not be able to do the things we do without your support. We are incredibly grateful for all the other organizations in our community that serve so well and help our community to be its best.” GN 

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