Institute for Executive Women Announces Dr. Michelle R. Johnston Servant Leadership Award

The following press release has been shared on behalf of The Institute for Executive Women

The Institute for Executive Women announces the recipient of the Dr. Michelle R. Johnston Award for Servant Leadership. This inaugural award is being awarded to Angela Ammons, RN, BSN is the CEO of Clinch Memorial Hospital (“CMH”) in Homerville, GA. Ms. Ammons will be the keynote speaker for the upcoming virtual Women’s Power Breakfast on June 11, 2021 where the award and citation will be presented.

The Dr. Michelle R. Johnston Award for Servant Leadership is a brand new award designed to recognize and honor women who have sacrificed self for others, relied on innovation to overcome immense challenges and made heroic efforts to transform their communities. Angela Ammons embodies these values. The award has been named after Dr. Michelle R. Johnston, President for the College of Coastal Georgia who has been a tremendous encourager to the Institute for Executive Women and is another noteworthy servant leader who quietly, yet boldly advocates for others while putting her own interests last.

“I am truly honored to be recognized for this award,” said Angela Ammons. “While we have faced many challenges in the wake of being a rural hospital in a climate of economic uncertainty, COVID almost closed our doors yet we have found a business model to survive, and thrive. I am thankful for the wisdom and support from another woman hospital CEO who helped us develop a pathway toward growth.”

Angela Ammons started her job at Clinch Memorial Hospital post hurricane in 2017 when their doors were about to be closed. Unless she could find a way to save the organization, citizens of this rural community and the surrounding area would have to travel for hours for care. Ms. Ammons realized that without a playbook for this turnaround, she would have to reach out to other CEOs in similar situations and ask for advice. With a new business model and convincing a certain New York City physician to pick up and move to South Georgia to launch a family practice, she was able to save the hospital from peril.

“What makes this story so incredible is that Ms. Ammons had never run a hospital before,” said Catherine Blake, President and Founder for the Institute for Executive Women. “Determination and grit combined with fighting for her community led her to seeking the wise counsel of peers for ideas. Putting her ego aside, focusing on the needs of others and being fearless to try something new were what saved Clinch Memorial Hospital. And it worked – what a story!”

Angela Ammons was named Hospital Leader of the Year by HomeTown Health in 2018 and CMH was recognized by HomeTown Health as Hospital of the Year for 2019. In November 2020 she and her hospital were featured in a story in TIME Magazine that details some of the struggles that she faced and how she attributes her success to collaboration with a strong mentor.

The public is invited to attend The Women’s Power Breakfast on Friday, June 11, 2021 from 9:00 am to 10:00 am via video. Advanced registration is required by contacting the Institute for Executive Women at (770) 883.1117. The event is free of charge. Visit: https://instituteexecutivewomen.com/

Republished with the permission of the Institute for Executive Women