The City of Andalusia greeted the new Andalusia Health CEO Vickie Demers to the community at an evening reception on the 2nd first floor City Hall on Tuesday, June 20.
Originating originally from Decatur, Alabama, Demers brings over 22 years of experience in healthcare in her new role. Before moving to Andalusia she was the COO at Logan Regional Medical Center which is located in Logan, West Virginia.
“I’m content to return home to Alabama,” Demers said. “My former hospital is operated by the same firm, ScionHealth, so when the opportunity to transfer opened I jumped at it. I have family and friends throughout the state, and this brings me back to them. Being in close proximity to the beaches can’t harm either.”
She was appointed to serve for an interim period of seven months for her previous institution, Logan Regional Medical Center and a hospital that was a sibling, Raleigh General Hospital in close Beckley, West Virginia. Demers was CEO of two HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospitals for 10 years in Morgantown, West Virginia, and Birmingham. Other leadership positions comprised working alongside Health Management Associates and Sunlink Health Systems from 1998 until the year 2008.
Based on Andalusia Health Board of Directors Chairman Terry Powell, Demers was one of three candidates who were interviewed for the job.
“Being from Alabama Her experience in hospitals as well as the accomplishments she’s achieved allowed the board to offer her an offer that she accepted. We are expecting Vickie to become the spokesperson for Andalusia Health in our community. The public will be able to describe their experience, whether it’s good or not. If the experience isn’t good she will take action to stop it from occurring to anyone else. We expect her to stay for a while, since I’ve served as a board member for the last 19 years while the most tenured chief executive that we’ve been able to have was for a period of four years. Staff members are thrilled to welcome her. Her style of leadership is very tolerant,” Powell said.
The first day she worked at Andalusia Health was Tuesday, May 16, and she was warmly welcomed by the new team members.
“We are closing on our home within two weeks. This is thrilling. Everyone has been extremely accommodating and welcoming. I’m not surprised at the Southern hospitality and I’m happy to return to our own South where we can enjoy the grits and fried Okra. Our board is wonderful to date as well Patty Ashworth, our growth and outreach coordinator, has been guiding me around the neighborhood. The reception at the day’s event has been amazing,” she said.
While Demers is accustomed to the small town atmosphere Demers said she appreciates the assistance.
“It requires a community to work together and create a successful hospital. It’s one of the largest businesses in this area and collaboration is required. If we didn’t get the assistance that we receive, the hospital would not be there and the population could have to travel to get medical care. My work experience includes working in smaller towns, and even that are smaller than Andalusia. If you are required to travel to receive medical treatment, it’s an expense not just on the patient, but also on the family members, financially and physically. With the rising cost of fuel and the economic situation that is today it’s crucial to be within the community and provide the required services.”
One of her priorities with Andalusia Health is physician recruitment.
“We decided to make this a key on the area. We’re hoping to attract more specialists, such as OB/GYN and cardiology, and additional primary care doctors on the board. While we have a solid team of providers, but we must plan for the future and expand the number of patients we serve. My current work is with a team of local doctors in the hopes of identifying our plans as well as new service lines and ways to reach them. Staffing is an problem for us now after the pandemic. Being a is a partner in LBW in training our next workforce is essential. We are focusing to get some programs operational and services reinstated,” Demers said.
She said that she feels at home since her family and she arrived in Covington County.
“I’m not new to towns that are small. I am a big fan of the local culture, the area where I meet everyone. If people see me at Walmart or in the mall, they are able to come up to me and ask about what’s happening in the medical center.”
They are married for 30 years to their husband for thirty years Scott Demers, and they have two kids: Sydney as well as Caroline. She holds a bachelor’s level degree from Bob Jones University in Biology at Bob Jones University and two master’s degrees in Health Administration and Business Administration from Georgia State University.
“We were delighted to host this reception that welcomed Vickie in Andalusia in addition the community of Andalusia Health. Access to high-quality health care is a crucial element of economic growth, and I cannot stress enough the significance of Andalusia Health to our community. We are fortunate to have medical care that is specialized here and are looking forward to working alongside Vickie along with the institution to to grow and expand the hospital as a regional healthcare provider.” the Mayor Earl Johnson said.
The article Officials from the city and hospital board members accept Demers as the new CEO at Andalusia Health was first published in The Andalusia Star-News.
