(ATLANTA)--- Wadra McCullough, RN-BC, MHA, Interim Chief Nursing Officer of Spalding Regional Medical Center in Griffin, has been accepted into the Leadership GHA Class of 2010-2011, a prestigious health care leadership program of the Georgia Hospital Association (GHA). Wadra was one of only 22 hospital employees from around the state accepted into the program this year.
“This is a great honor for the 22 people who were accepted into this esteemed program. They are already making a difference in the Georgia hospital community today and are committed to continued professional growth and achievement,” said GHA President Joseph A. Parker. “Their investment of time in this rigorous leadership development course will pay major dividends as they continue to advance in their health care careers.”
Wadra McCullough, who has served Medical Center for fifteen years, received her undergraduate degree in Biology fromat Spalding Wesleyan College followed by a nursing degree from Gordon College. Wadra then received her master’s degree in healthcare administration from Bellevue University.
Responding to the need to develop new leaders to take the reigns of tomorrow’s hospitals and health care systems in Georgia, the GHA Board of Trustees unanimously endorsed the creation of Leadership GHA in the fall of 2003. The six-month program, which begins each fall, utilizes a variety of techniques to educate participants on the unique and diverse issues that characterize Georgia’s health care system. The program includes workshops, conferences, panel discussions and field trips to a variety of hospitals and health systems throughout the state.
As the leadership skills of the participants are developed and expanded, they are encouraged to use these skills to transform and improve Georgia’s health care system and their individual communities. To qualify for participation in the Leadership GHA program, individuals from Georgia hospitals and health systems must be nominated by GHA-member CEOs. An impartial selection committee reviews the nomination applications and selects a limited number of participants for the program.
Established in 1929, the Georgia Hospital Association is the leading trade organization of hospitals and health systems in the state providing education, research and risk management services to its more than 180 hospital and health system members. Additionally, it represents and advocates health policy issues benefiting Georgia’s citizens before the state legislature and U.S. Congress as well as before regulatory bodies.