House Plans: Wyoming Valley Healthcare System

Wyoming Valley Healthcare System

Since taking the helm as President and Chief Executive Officer of Southeast Georgia Health System in March of 2001, Gary R. Colberg, FACHE, has ushered in a new era of financial stability, medical excellence and community support. Under his direction, the Health System has brought critical new medical services, programs and physicians to the people of Southeast Georgia. In 2011, his many accomplishments were recognized by the Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals when they named him the 2011 CEO of the Year.

During his career, Mr. Colberg had amassed 35 years of experience in health care leadership, including positions as senior vice president for Birmingham Operations for Medical Center East-Eastern Health System Inc. and as a vice president with Jewish Hospital HealthCare Services in Louisville, Kentucky.

Mr. Colberg’s career is one of some renown, particularly since joining Southeast Georgia Health System. In 2007, he was named to the Institute of Health Administration Advisory Board at Georgia State University. In addition, the Coastal Medical Access Project honored him with their Frances Xavier Selgrath Achievement Award, a distinctive award named for their late executive director. He also received the College of Coastal Georgia's acclaimed Miracle and Best Co-Pilot awards as well as the Anthony A. Alaimo Award for Public Service in April 2012.

In February of 2009, Mr. Colberg received the Senior-Level Healthcare Executive Award, a coveted honor given by the Georgia-Coastal Plains Region of the American College of Healthcare Executives. In May 2009 he was presented the Silver Beaver Award, the Boy Scouts of America's highest council-level distinguished service award. Author David Herdlinger also recognized Mr. Colberg's outstanding leadership qualities in his book, “Healing a Hospital: The Successful Turnaround of Southeast Georgia Health System.” In February 2011, the Brunswick Chapter of The Links, Inc., presented Mr. Colberg with the inaugural Men of Distinction Award.

Mr. Colberg earned a bachelor's degree from Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and a Master of Community Health Administration from Vermont College of Norwich University in Montpelier, Vermont. He is a Fellow with the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Mr. Colberg is extremely active in all facets of health care and the Southeast Georgia community as a whole. He is a member of the Glynn County Rotary Club, the College of Coastal Georgia Foundation Board, Coastal Bank of Georgia's Board of Directors, the Coastal Georgia Regional Healthcare Network Board, the Georgia Hospital Association Board, the Voluntary Hospitals of America-Georgia Chapter Board of Directors and the Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals. Mr. Colberg is also an adjunct faculty member of Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health at Georgia Southern University and an associate adjunct professor, Department of Family Medicine Medical College of Georgia Health Sciences University.