2024 Healthy Hall Award Recipients

Health & Wellness Initiatives

MISSION: Greater Hall Chamber / VISION 2030 Health & Wellness Initiatives strive to provide high-quality, affordable healthcare to all residents and provide an innovative set of wellness programs for individuals to manage their health.

HEALTH & WELLNESS SEMINARS

Health & Wellness Seminars were started in 2007 and include representatives from hospitals, physician groups and other health-related organizations. The group meets monthly and hosts community-wide programs and events to discuss access to healthcare, wellness programs and benefits, healthcare services, legislative issues, health insurance and other important health and wellness topics. See our CHAMBER CALENDAR to register.

HEALTH & WELLNESS PROGRAMS

The Greater Hall Chamber’s Annual Chamber Chase 5K & 2 Mile Wellness Walk returns Spring 2025 to Riverside Preparatory Academy. An expected 2,000 will meet for fun and fitness as 5K runners and spirit-filled walkers enjoy this lakeside race. The event promotes community wellness with dozens of company-sponsored teams. Awards for the fastest team, the team with the most spirit, the fastest CEO, and fastest community team create excitement and great participation. The Chamber Chase 5K has become one of the community’s most successful wellness programs.

The Drugs Don’t Work program is offered to Greater Hall Chamber member employers and provides tools to empower business managers to maintain a drug-free workplace. Enrollment and certification through the Drugs Don’t Work program can also help lower certified Drugs Don’t Work partners workers’ compensation premiums. Monthly informational newsletters are distributed to partners in both English and Spanish. Currently, over 200 area companies are designated Drug Free Workplaces through this program.

The Annual HealthSmart Expo is in its 17th year and scheduled for OCTOBER 10, 2024 at the Gainesville Civic Center in Gainesville. The event features over 50 wellness exhibitors and FREE community health screenings. The day begins with a Kick-off Breakfast where Hall County’s “Most Fit Company” award recipients are recognized. Judging criteria for the contest includes wellness, nutrition and physical activities that the company provides for its employees. The Most Fit Company program was developed to raise company wellness awareness and promote healthy workplaces in the community.

The Healthy Hall Awards spotlight those in the healthcare industry that are making a significant impact on our quality of life through excellence in healthcare. The 7th Annual Healthy Hall Awards Luncheon will be held on MARCH 13, 2025 at Lanier Technical College, Ramsey Conference Center in Gainesville.

2024 Healthy Hall Award Recipients:

Healthcare Education: Northeast Georgia Health System Center for Simulation and Innovation

Healthcare Information Technology: Jack Cheng, MD, Northeast Georgia Health System & Marsha Jones, Longstreet Clinic

Community Impact: Joe Amerling and Jane White, Overhead Cover

Visionary Leader: Pepper Brown, MD, Northeast Georgia Physicians Group

Outstanding Achievement in Behavioral Health: Devin Vicknair, PhD, MS, Northeast Georgia Health System

Healthcare Worker of the Year: Bridgette Mayo, LPN, Longstreet Clinic & Lynne Allen, Northeast Georgia Health System

Nurse of the Year: Mandy Reichert, PhD, RN, PT-Csp, Northeast Georgia Health System 

Dentist of the Year: Lee Hawkins, DDS, Hawkins Family Dental

Physician of the Year: Karl D. Schultz, Jr., MD, FAANS, FACS, Longstreet Clinic

Advanced Practice Provider of the Year: Lisa Price, PA-C, Northside Hospital Diagnostic Clinic

Lifetime Achievement: Priscilla Strom, MD, FACS, Longstreet Clinic

Corporate Achievement/Innovation: ProCare Rx

For Info on Chamber Health & Wellness Initiatives:
Sarah Nolan, Project Manager, Economic Development Division
Greater Hall Chamber • 770-532-6206 x 111 • snolan@ghcc.com