FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jessica Walden, Director of CommunicationsJuly 11, 2011 (478) 254-5203, jwalden@chwg.org

Community Health Works Announces New HiresNew Team Developed to Broaden Multi-County Community Mission

(Macon, GA) With a vision that remains focused on better health for all people through communities working together, Community Health Works announces recent hires and new positions in its corporate office located in Macon, Ga., serving a 25-county region.

“As Community Health Works continues to broaden its mission of regional integration of whole person healthcare, we have grown our staff to meet the demands and skills needed to serve 25 counties,” said Greg Dent, president and CEO of the nonprofit who has been serving Central Georgia communities for 10 years.

Kathleen Ashley has been promoted to the new position of director of programs. She previously served as communications assistant and has been leading the Health Summit work in Central Georgia. Her new role will include managing key development programs operated by Community Health Works, including the Regional Health Summit initiative, the Central Georgia Stroke Coalition and the South Georgia Stroke Coalition’s technical assistance contract. She also coordinates Masters of Public Health internships around the different areas of obesity and stroke. Ashley holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications and Theater Arts from Mercer University.

Jennifer Carr, LPN, joined Community Health Works a clinical workflow specialist in conjunction with the company’s role as the local administrator of the Georgia Health Information Technology Regional Extension Center Initiative guiding clinical workflow management for physician practices receiving technical assistance from Community Health Works to implement and achieve Meaningful Use of Electronic Health Records. Jennifer earned her diploma in Licensed Practical Nursing in 1996 from Central Georgia Technical College (formerly Macon Technical Institute) and has more than 13 years of combined experience in the medical field,

Clarence “Tripp” Eldridge is Community Health Works’ new program specialist. Eldridge is leading the food access initiatives and works in conjunction with regional farmers’ markets and partner organizations to help improve accessibility, availability and affordability of seasonal healthy food options to all of Central Georgia. Prior to joining Community Health Works, Eldridge worked with the Georgia Department of Agriculture as an ag compliance specialist in Food Safety. Eldridge holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Georgia and a Master’s of Public Health from Georgia Southern University with a focus in Community Health. He also grows and shares food from his own small farm in Central Georgia.

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Tess Harper is Community Health Works’ new program assistant. Harper manages the execution of various programs such as the Regional Health Summit, Stroke Coalition and Central Georgia Cancer Coalition. She also assists with the grant writing and media outreach. Harper holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Media Studies from Mercer University.

Maggie McCune is Community Health Works’ new coordinator and liaison with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta to implement Strong4Life in Macon. Strong4Life is a statewide effort to improve child wellness and address the obesity epidemic by giving kids what they need to be healthy. McCune is responsible for organizing all Strong4Life activities and events, physician and early childcare training programs, as well as building partnerships within the community to promote healthy behaviors. McCune holds a Bachelor of Arts and Science in English from Ohio University.

Jim McLendon is Community Health Works’ new director of strategic partnerships, serving as a consultant to develop influential partnerships within the corporate and foundation communities. After 14 years with Cox Communications, Jim is recently retired as Vice President of Media Sales. Prior to Cox, Jim was with WMAC (formerly WMAZ) and WAYS Radio, where he held a variety of positions in his 24-year career as vice president and managing partner.

Jessica Walden is now the director of communications for Community Health Works. She is responsible for promoting community engagement while guiding, maintaining and raising local and statewide awareness of Community Health Works’ vision, mission and programs. Walden’s position was formerly held by Kathleen Glass, who left Community Health Works in March to accept the position of director of communications for the Asheville Museum of Art. Walden previously served as the director of communications for the College Hill Alliance, a privately funded downtown development partnership between the City of Macon and Mercer University. Walden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Georgia State University.

Dawn Burgamy is Community Health Works’ new executive assistant to President and CEO Greg Dent. Burgamy previously served as an executive assistant with Mid Georgia Ambulance and the Medical Center of Central Georgia.

Community Health Works is a non-profit, community-based health organization based in the city of Macon and serving all of Central Georgia. For more information in regards to Community Health Works, please visit chwg.org or call 478.254.5200.

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