DORMINY MEDICAL CENTER

Hospital Authority of Ben Hill County

Virgia Clay, Chairman

Virgia Clay is a member of Shiloh Baptist where he serves as Chairman of the Deacon Board. He is also active in the community serving as DDGM for Mason Lodge District #23.

Clay has one son, Ellis and two sisters, Linda Paschal and Crimore Stanley. His mother is Mary Presley. Clay has served on the board since April of 1993.

Lawton Tinley, Vice-Chairman

Lawton Tinley was born on January 6, 1951 in Augusta, Georgia. He is married to Katherine and they have two daughters, Meredith, 24, and Mallory, 13. They also have one granddaughter, Jacquelynn, 2.

Tinley graduated from Waynesboro High School in 1969 and then attended Troy State University and Georgia Southern University, where he majored in business. He has been with Coachmen RV Company of Georgia, LLC since August of 1974. He currently serves as Vice President and General Manager.

His community and business achievements include: member of the First Baptist Church; Past Chairman of Fitzgerald/Ben Hill Community in Schools, two years; Fitzgerald/Ben Hill Chamber of Commerce Board of Director, 3 years; Past Chairman of Fitzgerald/Ben Hill Chamber of Commerce; Exalted Ruler of Fitzgerald Elks Lodge 1036, two years; Ben Hill Middle School Partners in Education 1998; Industry of he Year Fitzgerald/Ben Hill County 1993; Vice Chairman of the Fitzgerald High School Athletic Booster Club 2000/2001 Fund Raiser; Received Coachmen Industries, Inc. "Manager of the Year" aware eight times between 1985 and 2001; Active in American Red Cross blood drives; and American Cancer Society's Relay for Life in Ben Hill County.

Carol McDonald

Carol McDonald is a honor graduate of Fitzgerald High School. She went on to graduate from South Georgia College with an Associate of Science and from Valdosta State University with a B.B.A. in Marketing with a minor in Management.

Carol has served on the board for the past thirteen years and has held the positions of Secretary and Vice-Chairman. She is active in the community serving as director of the Kiwanis Club and playing the oboe in the orchestra of First Baptist Church.

Since 1991, she has been the Practice Manager of Durden Medical Clinic, a family practice clinic established in 1967. Her previous work experience was in sales and a nursing home.

Vanessa Melton

Vanessa Melton has served on the board since April of 2000.

Bennie Hutto

Bennie Hutto is a retired Staff Sergeant from the National Guard. He now owns and operates Bennie's Auto Repair in Fitzgerald. He attends Christian Tabernacle Church with his wife, Elaine. They have two daughters and one granddaughter. Hutto has served on the board since August of 2001.

Berma Ridgeway

Berma Ridgeway was appointed to the Hospital Authority in 2004. She comes to the board with experience in human services. Ridgeway worked with Georgia Department of Human Resources for over 25 years from 1966 to1993 working in Child Protective Services and Medicaid services. Ridgeway owned Ridgeway Sewing Center located in downtown Fitzgerald from 1993-1997. Ridgeway was employed with Dorminy Medical Center as a part time clerical worker in all areas of the hospital from 1997-2000. Ridgeway recently became employed with the Ben Hill Co Board of Elections as a part time deputy registrar working about three days per week.

Ridgeway states that “My hope is for Dorminy Medical Center to continue as the most valuable resource to our community.”

Ridgeway graduated from Fitzgerald High School in 1956. She continued her education at Trevecca Nazarene College in Nashville Tennessee where she graduated in 1960.

Jason Holt

On Tuesday, July 25, 2006, the Hospital Authority of Ben Hill County elected a new board member to fill the seat once held by William Smallwood. William Smallwood was a faithful servant to Dorminy Medical Center for 14 years. In the wake of Mr. Smallwood's passing, the board elected to fill his seat. Jason Holt was elected to serve in this position. Holt served out the term once held by Mr. Smallwood which expired April 9, 2007. He was then re-appointed for a five-year term.

Jason Holt has been employed with Paulk Funeral Home since June 2002. Jason graduated from Gupton-Jones College with an associate of Science in Funeral Service in February 2001. Jason graduated from Wilcox County High School in May 1997. Jason is an active member of the National Funeral Directors Association, Georgia Funeral Directors Association, American Society of Embalmers, British Institute of Embalmers, Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice and Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team, a federal-level disaster preparedness unit. Jason is a member of Central United Methodist Church and Choir and on the Executive Committee for the Fitzgerald-Ben Hill Chamber of Commerce. Jason is a councilman with the City of Fitzgerald. Jason has demonstrated through his service to this community to be a strong leader and committed servant. Dorminy Medical Center is thrilled to have Jason on the board. Jason is married to Abby Johnson Holt and together they have one son, Thomas.