Randy Sauls, CEO of South Georgia Medical Center and Dr. Tina Anderson, president of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College were on hand for a panel discussion at the June 24 Quarterly Board Meeting of the Chamber. Dr. Bill McKinney, president of Valdosta State University was Skyped in from Washington, DC. Baha Zeidan, CEO of Azalea Health and a Chamber Board member, facilitated a discussion on the growth prospects for jobs in healthcare and medical support services in South Georgia.

The discussion centered on the efforts of VSU and WGTC to produce the talent that will be needed to meet this growing industry sector. Facilitating the growth of jobs in healthcare and related businesses has been a mission of the Chamber since 2004, when a Georgia Tech study commissioned by the Chamber identified this sector as having huge growth potential for Valdosta.

"I've seen what our community can accomplish when we all work together toward a common goal, such as funding the Health Sciences & Business Administration facility at VSU's north campus, and our efforts to support Moody AFB," said Dr. McKinney. "Let's all get behind the effort to grow jobs for WGTC and VSU graduates in healthcare and medical support services jobs, and improve our regional economy."

The 38 Chamber members who serve as Ambassadors are an essential part of the work of the Chamber. Nearly every day of the week, there is a Chamber event -- a ribbon cutting, groundbreaking, major event or Business After Hours. And at every Chamber event, you will see several Chamber Ambassadors. Last year, Ambassadors donated a total of 640 hours to the Chamber. Our Board invited our Ambassadors to join them for the June 24 lunch to say THANKS! 

More than 60 top leaders were on hand at Rainwater Conference Center for the second quarter Chamber Board Lunch Meeting on June 24. Sponsored by Rainwater Conference Center, these quarterly meetings allow top business, government, education and community leaders to connect, hear about top-line community activities and issues, and build relationships that help all of us be better community leaders.

For more information about Chamber Board Headlines, please visit: http://www.valdostachamber.com/chamber-board-headlines.htm.