Rockdale Medical Center Chief Medical Officer, Lisa Gillespie, M.D., received one of the Georgia Hospital Association’s (GHA) highest honors, the Distinguished Service Award. The award was presented to Dr. Gillespie at the association’s annual convention on November 10th in Savannah. She was recognized for her service and dedication to the hospital and community.

Dr. Gillespie has positively impacted the lives of patients, colleagues and community residents. She is well known for her passion for patient care, which is evidenced by her work not just as a health care provider but also for her work in the community. Early in her career, she volunteered at the Wayne E. Kerr Clinic, helping provide care to uninsured patients who had no access to traditional health care. When the clinic closed due to lack of funding, she worked with community partners to open Mercy Heart, a free clinic focusing on treating individuals with chronic medical conditions. Dr. Gillespie served as the clinic’s medical director for several years.

In 2003, after seeing an increased need for patients and their families to consult with physicians more frequently while in the hospital, Dr. Gillespie established a hospitalist program at Rockdale Medical Center. What began with three physicians has grown to 12 full-time physicians. As the former medical director of the program, Dr. Gillespie still practices with the group in a part-time capacity, covering weekend shifts at the hospital.

In 2014, to help combat the increasing readmission problem that is plaguing hospitals nationwide, Dr. Gillespie, along with several key staff members and community partners, helped found the [email protected] Community Paramedicine Program for Rockdale County. The program has achieved great success in reducing readmissions of patients defined as high-risk due to uncontrolled chronic illnesses. The program gives patients access to tools, resources and education to better manage their health.

An alumna of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Dr. Gillespie also finds time to give back to her alma mater. She mentors minority medical school students, belongs to medical school committees and gives generously to various scholarship funds.

“Dr. Gillespie’s ability to solve challenges faced by Rockdale Medical Center and health care as a whole is remarkable,” said GHA President and CEO Earl Rogers. “Her dedication to the hospital and her community have changed countless lives for the better. She is most deserving of this award.”

Candidates for this annual award are hospital trustees or community leaders who have made significant contributions to improving health care in Georgia.

About GHA

Founded in 1929, GHA serves more than 170 hospitals in Georgia and promotes the health and welfare of the public through the development of better hospital care for all Georgia citizens. The mission of GHA is to advance the health of individuals and communities by serving as the leading advocate for all Georgia hospitals and health care systems. GHA represents its members before the General Assembly and Congress, as well as state and federal regulatory agencies, and is an allied member of the American Hospital Association. For more information, please call 770-249-4500 or visit gha.org.