2023 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 15th Annual Chamber Chase 5K & 2 Mile Wellness Walk returns Spring 2023 to Riverside Preparatory Academy. An expected 2,000 will meet on MARCH 23, 2023 (6pm) 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 16th year and scheduled for OCTOBER 4, 2023 at Lanier Technical College, Ramsey Conference 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 6th Annual Healthy Hall Awards Luncheon will be held on MARCH 20, 2024 at Lanier Technical College, Ramsey Conference Center in Gainesville.

2023 Healthy Hall Award Recipients:

Healthcare Education: Foothills AHEC

Community Impact: Monica Newton, DO, One Hall Mental & Behavioral Health Committee, NGHS

Visionary Leader: Philip Wilheit, Wilheit Packaging

Outstanding Achievement in Behavioral Health: Anjana Freeman, Gainesville Police Department

Healthcare Worker of the Year: Stephanie Kirby, Northeast Georgia Diagnostic Clinic

Nurse of the Year: Alan Satterfield, RN, District 2 Public Health Department 

Dentist of the Year: Ron Wilson, DMD, Wilson Orthodontics

Physician of the Year: Andre M. Kallab, MD, FACP, Northeast Georgia Diagnostic Clinic & Keshma Saujani, M.D., FACOG, Longstreet Clinic OBGYN

Advanced Practice Provider of the Year: Ashley Simpson, AGACNP-BC, FNP-BC, Georgia Heart Institute & Paige Owens, NP, Longstreet Clinic

Lifetime Achievement: Tracy Vardeman, Northeast Georgia Health System

Corporate Achievement/Innovation: Julie V. Battle, Ph.D.; Anne Skleder, Ph.D., Doug Ivester, Brenau Lynn J. Darby School of Psychology and Adolescent Counseling

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