Heath A. Evans, FACHE Valdosta, GA – Heath A. Evans, FACHE, has been selected to serve as South Georgia Medical Center’s new Chief Operating Officer (COO). Evans previously was affiliated with Community Health Systems, a for-profit health system, as the COO at East Georgia Regional Medical Center (Statesboro, GA) and Chief Executive Officer at Shands Live Oak (Live Oak, FL).At SGMC, Evans will be responsible for moving the organization towards its established strategic objectives. He will mentor and work with department leaders to establish clear goals and measure data at all levels of the organization. Evans states, “This profession has allowed me to work with a very diverse group of people who are making an extremely important impact on individual lives and our community as a whole. We are an organization that people turn to for help at their worst times. I am honored to be entrusted with the level of responsibility that the COO position carries.” A graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Evans holds dual master’s degrees in Health Administration and Business Administration. His professional background combines expertise in service line development, business performance, facility operations, patient satisfaction, and physician relations, to name a few. Evans is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE).Evans began his healthcare career as a firefighter/paramedic and flight paramedic, where he received recognition and commendations for service. He has also served as an assistant chief executive officer, healthcare analyst, and administrator for a physical therapy practice. Heath, and his wife, Angela are the parents of three small children. They look forward to becoming active members of the Valdosta community.