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DeKalb Medical Center, Community Leaders Salute
Retiring CEO John Gerlach
- 8/28/2003
Atlanta, August 28, 2003 – Georgia Secretary of State Cathy Cox has named John R. Gerlach, the recently retired president and CEO of DeKalb Medical Center and its parent company, DeKalb Regional Healthcare System, as an “Outstanding Georgia Citizen.”
The prestigious award is one of many honors and accolades Gerlach received from the community and his fellow DeKalb Medical Center employees upon his retirement in July. Several events honoring Gerlach and his 35 years of service were held, with members of the various DRHS governing bodies, management team and community leaders paying tribute to Gerlach and his many contributions to the hospital system and to the community at large.
State Rep. Pamela Stephenson, a member of the DeKalb Legislative Delegation, presented Gerlach with the Secretary of State’s award in recognition of the remarkable difference Gerlach has made in the community. In addition to naming him as an “Outstanding Georgia Citizen,” Cox enrolled Gerlach into Georgia’s “Goodwill Ambassador Corps.” Stephenson also presented Gerlach with a resolution from the DeKalb Legislative Delegation commending him for his “many important contributions to his community and the State of Georgia.” Other tributes included a proclamation from DeKalb County CEO Vernon Jones and District 7 Commissioner Lou Walker designating July 8 as John “Jack” Gerlach Day in recognition of his service to DeKalb County.
Another honor included the renaming of DeKalb Medical Center’s Maternity Center Conference Room as the Gerlach Conference Room by DeKalb Medical Center Board Chairman Judy McMahan. Other commendations were presented by DRHS Board Chairman Duane Blair, M.D., DeKalb County Hospital Authority Chairman Oliver Lee, DeKalb Medical Center Auxiliary President Marlene Barnes and DeKalb Medical Center Chief of Staff William Hardcastle, M.D. DRHS care partners Bill Sublett, Della Johnson, Lee Underwood and Betty Castellani also paid tribute to Gerlach.
On July 15, his last day at DRHS, more than 700 DRHS care partners attended a retirement reception to thank Gerlach for his friendship and leadership over the past 35 years. Care partners also signed a commemorative friendship quilt specially made for the occasion.
The DRHS board has named Eric P. Norwood, executive vice president and chief operating officer for DRHS, as acting president/CEO until a permanent replacement has been selected. The search process has begun, and a final decision is expected this fall.
Gerlach had served as CEO of the hospital organization since June 1995. Prior to being named chief executive officer, he served as DeKalb Medical Center’s chief operating officer and administrator. During his tenure at DeKalb Medical Center, Gerlach has held a number of other positions including assistant to the administrator, director of patient services and associate administrator. Prior to joining DeKalb Medical Center in October 1968, the North Dakota native served as an administrative assistant at the Indiana University Medical Center Hospitals in Indianapolis.
A leader in progressive medicine and patient care, DeKalb Regional Healthcare System is the parent organization of DeKalb Medical Center, Decatur Hospital and the Hillandale outpatient campus in Lithonia. Since its establishment in 1961, the 525-bed DeKalb Medical Center has been a leading provider of comprehensive health and wellness services to the community. The 102-bed Decatur Hospital is one of the leading eye surgery centers in the Southeast and also specializes in long-term acute-care, wound care, podiatry services and outpatient surgery.
The not-for-profit hospital system includes more than 1,100 physicians, 3,700 employees and 400 volunteers. Last year, DRHS served more than 500,000 patients including 24,663 inpatients, 204,688 outpatients, 74,519 emergency patients and 6,022 births. The hospital system also provided the community with more than $43 million in uncompensated care. DRHS is a member of the PROMINA Health System.
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