Chamber to host State of Healthcare address Aug. 13
The Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce will host its annual State of Healthcare address Aug. 13, a significant event for the local community that will focus on the current and future state of healthcare in the region. The address will take place from 7:30-9:30 a.m. at The Venue, located at 315 Main St W, in downtown Hartselle.
The event will begin with a fair and breakfast for attendees at 7:30 a.m., offering a chance for networking and engagement with various healthcare providers and organizations. Attendees are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance through the events page on the chamber’s website to secure their spot ahead of time.
This year’s address will feature a panel of healthcare professionals, including Lynne Shelton from Hartselle High School, Dr. William Smith from Cullman Regional Medical Center and Kelli Powers from Decatur Morgan Hospital, among others.
These experts will provide valuable insights into the challenges and advancements in the healthcare sector, addressing both local and broader issues, according to Chris Spicer with the HACC. Spicer added the panel this year will also discuss staffing issues affecting the healthcare industry.
“(The panel will) be geared toward everyone,” Spicer said. “We are trying to involve the community at large instead of just people wanting to know about the latest trends.” Panelists As the founder of the Medical Academy at Hartselle High School, established in 2011, Shelton has been a pivotal figure in shaping local future healthcare professionals. Her commitment to advancing healthcare education is further demonstrated by her certification as a Healthcare Simulation Educator and her active role on the Alabama Health Science and HOSA Board of Directors.
Smith has been the Chief Medical Officer at Cullman Regional Medical Center since 2016 and is a boardcertified surgeon with 35 years of experience.
A long-time member of the hospital’s medical staff, he is a Fellow of both the American College of Surgeons and the Southeastern Surgical Congress. He has served on various state committees for the Alabama Chapter of the American College of Surgeons.
Powers has been leading Decatur Morgan Hospital since Aug. 2020. Under her leadership, the hospital encompasses two acute care inpatient hospitals, a freestanding psychiatric hospital, an outpatient rehab facility, a medical mall in Hartselle and 18 clinics across Morgan County, all part of the Huntsville Hospital Health System.
Other panelists include Kenneth Kirkland, the Dean of Health Sciences at Calhoun Community College and Deborah Hoover, from the Department of Nursing Education at Wallace State. Lifeworks’ owner Mike Tucker with be the moderator. The State of Healthcare address is a critical event for anyone interested in the wellbeing of the Hartselle community, Spicer said. It offers a unique opportunity to hear directly from leaders in the field and to gain a deeper understanding of the healthcare landscape.
Tickets are available now and can be purchased through the Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce’s website. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of an enlightening discussion on the state of healthcare in the region. For more information and to secure your tickets, visit the chamber’s events page.
