Special to Atmore News
The Escambia County Healthcare Authority (ECHCA) announced that Debbie Gist has been promoted to the position of Compliance Officer for the Healthcare Authority.
Gist will have overall responsibility for compliance, quality improvement, safety, employee health, infection control, physician credentialing and facility accreditation for the ECHCA’s operating entities; Atmore Community Hospital (ACH) including its clinics, D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital (DWMMH) including its clinics, D.W. McMillan EMS and D.W. McMillan Home Medical Equipment.
“Debbie is well qualified for her new role based on her education, professional credentials, and her previous healthcare related work experience,” said Chris Griffin, ECHCA CEO. “As the Director of Performance Improvement for DWMMH, Debbie played a key leadership role in the areas of Performance Improvement, Quality and Compliance after DWMMH’s disaffiliation from Baptist Healthcare in 2005. We are very fortunate to have someone with Debbie’s capabilities to assume the role of Compliance Officer for our healthcare system.”
Gist has over 30 years of healthcare-related experience with multiple healthcare-based organizations.
She has served as the Director of Performance Improvement for DWMMH since 1996. Prior to 1996, Debbie served as the Quality Assurance Coordinator for ACH, the Infection Control Nurse for the Albert P. Brewer Developmental Center in Mobile, the Quality Management Director for both ACH and DWMMH as well as the Director of Quality Improvement for Angel Community Hospital in Franklin, NC.
Gist is a registered nurse, holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Faulkner State University, and a Master of Science in Quality Assurance from California State. She has been a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality since 2004.
Gist assumed her new role July 15.