Winick receives executive award
Joseph M. WinickJoseph M. Winick, senior vice president of planning, analytics and business development for Erlanger Health System, received the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) Senior Level Healthcare Executive Award at the recent meeting of the Tennessee Hospital Association in Nashville.
Winick was recognized for contributions toward the achievement of the goals of the ACHE and the advancement of health care management excellence. He is one of 7,500 health care executives to achieve the status of Fellow in the ACHE, the nation’s foremost professional society for health care leaders.
Leading the strategic planning process at Erlanger in collaboration with the executive team, medical staff and board of trustees, he also is involved in developing the master plan and major capital initiatives, conducting feasibility studies and preparing Erlanger’s annual statistical forecast.
Winick holds a master’s degree in hospital administration from George Washington University.
Brennan FrancoisFrancois wins THA award
Brennan Francois, CEO of Parkridge Valley, received the Tennessee Hospital Association’s Senior Executive Meritorious Service Award last week for his work with several initiatives making a difference in the lives of individuals with substance abuse and mental health issues in the Chattanooga area.
Francois helped establish the Chattanooga/Hamilton County Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) designed to help police officers and other law enforcement personnel better understand the uncertainty and special considerations accompanying interactions with mentally unstable individuals in crisis.
In addition, Francois also makes time to support causes such as the Partnership for Families, Children and Adults, having raised several thousand dollars for Partnership’s Family Services Counseling by participating in the Dancing with the Stars Chattanooga benefit. He also serves on the board of Cumberland University Nursing School and supports organizations such as the Metropolitan YMCA, AIM Center and the Homeless Coalition.
Developers recognize Audia
The Georgia Economic Developers Association (GEDA) presented Audia International and the Walker County Development Authority with the 2014 Deal of the Year Award in the mid-sized community category.
Audia International plans to invest $54 million to build an automotive supply plant that will add 150 jobs. Additionally, the company will pay $400,000 annually in property taxes.
“We are so very proud of the fact that we competed with six other states for this location,” said Larry Brooks, executive director of the Walker County Development Authority. “Of course, we could not have won the deal without the incredible team work by our state and utility partners.”
Site work for the new facility began this past summer, with construction due to begin in December. Walker County donated 50 acres for the site to help lure the company to Georgia.
MEI opens Nashville office
Marion Environmental Inc., headquartered in Chattanooga, has opened a new satellite office in Nashville. The new office offers environmental consulting, emergency response, railroad response, industrial services, waste management and transportation. Headed up by Mark Lucas, the Nashville office is now the fourth satellite office MEI has opened in the last few years.
Dr. Amjad M. MunirMunir medical director of year
Dr. Amjad M. Munir, medical director at HealthSouth Chattanooga Rehabilitation Hospital, was named the 2014 Medical Director of the Year at HealthSouth’s Annual Medical Director’s Meeting.
The Medical Director of the Year is picked from a pool of 104 medical directors across the country by HealthSouth chief medical officer Dr. Dexanne B. Clohan and HealthSouth’s regional presidents. The award recognizes Dr. Munir’s clinical knowledge, exemplary performance in the development of quality clinical programs and overall excellence in leadership.
“Dr. Munir leads highly-skilled teams of nurses and therapists at HealthSouth Chattanooga. His expertise in physical medicine and rehabilitation allows the hospital to offer the latest in rehabilitative treatment while producing exceptional patient outcomes,” said Dr. Clohan.
Dr. Munir is a dual board-certified physician with the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and the American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine. He also holds a sub-specialty certification in pain medicine. In addition to his work as a physiatrist, he is also a physical therapist. Dr. Munir completed his residency at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York and his doctor of medicine at Sind Medical College in Karachi, Pakistan.
Albert W. SecorSecor named FSG senior VP
FSG Bank announced that Albert W. Secor has joined its trusts and estates group as senior vice president and trust officer.
Secor brings long-term and extensive experience to wealth and trust clients, having served as a trust officer at one of Chattanooga’s largest financial institutions and developing a new wealth and trust offering at another local financial institution.
Before beginning his banking career, he was a private practice lawyer, focused on estate planning, tax and administration of estates.
Secor received both accounting and law degrees from Emory University and earned a master of law in taxation from New York University. Further, he has served as an adjunct professor at UTC in the School of Business and Cleveland State Community College in its legal assistant program.
Charlene BickfordBickford joins Pratt Homes
Charlene Bickford has joined Pratt Homes as a project coordinator for the Hixson area. Bickford, a native of Atlanta, Ga., brings 20 years of experience in the residential and commercial real estate industry to Pratt.
Before joining Pratt Homes, she was with Lennar, a leading national home builder headquartered in Miami.
“We are very fortunate Charlene has chosen Pratt Homes to be her professional new home,” said Tina Frizzell, CMO for Pratt Homes. “She seamlessly aligned with the Pratt team of consultants and is already helping home buyers in Chattanooga find the perfect home for their families and lifestyles.”
Send your business news to Wesley Holloway at wholloway@timesfree press.com or call 423-757-6613.