Columbus, GA – Lance Duke, president and CEO of The Medical Center, was named CEO/Administrator of the Year by the Council on Auxiliaries/Volunteers (CoA/V) of the Georgia Hospital Association at their annual meeting on Oct. 21 in Augusta. The CoA/V consists of 90 hospital auxiliaries in Georgia.

Mr. Duke was nominated by the Doctors Hospital Auxiliary and The Medical Center Auxiliary. Several members from the two Auxiliaries attended the meeting.
 
Compassion, commitment and community were the three words used to describe Mr. Duke as well as wonderful in keeping Auxiliary members informed, providing encouragement for their projects, inspiring teamwork and fostering good relationships.
 
“It was a very nice surprise for me to be recognized by the Council and to have several of our Doctors Hospital and Medical Center Auxilians there when it was presented,” said Mr. Duke. “Our Auxiliaries are recognized across the state as being tops in their class, and it is wonderful to be able to work with such dedicated people who freely give of their time and themselves without any expectation of anything in return.“
 
“Mr. Duke makes time to maintain open channels of communication with Doctors Hospital Auxiliary and The Medical Center Auxiliary,” stated Nancy Williams, director of Volunteer Services at Columbus Regional, in a nomination letter. “He frequently meets with and speaks to the Auxiliary Board of Directors and to the Auxiliary-at-large, ensuring that Auxilians are aware of the hospital’s mission and goals. The Auxiliaries begin each fiscal year with Mr. Duke’s participation in the Auxiliaries’ installation program and end with his participation in the awards presentations.”
          
“Because Mr. Duke encourages the Auxiliary’s involvement in almost all phases of hospital life, Auxilians are always mindful of their importance to Doctors Hospital and The Medical Center,” Mrs. Williams added.