Key People

Committed to Our Cause

2024-2025 Board of Directors | Share Health Southeast Georgia

Barry Bloom: Barry is the CEO of Jeff Davis Hospital in Georgia, previously serving as CFO. He worked at Coffee Regional Medical Center and Memorial Health University Medical Center. Barry earned his BBA and MBA from Valdosta State University, served on multiple boards, and established a Boys and Girls Club in Coffee County. He has five children and five grandchildren.

Peyton W. Frye: Peyton is the Practice Manager for EGHC, a Community Health Center in southeast Georgia. He was previously a Senior Vice President at Spivey State Bank and has served on multiple boards. Peyton is a graduate of Valdosta State University and the Georgia Banking School and is an active community volunteer. He resides in Swainsboro with his family.

Michelle Girtman: Michelle has been the Executive Director of Magnolia House Domestic Violence Shelter in Waycross, Georgia for 27 years and the Executive Director for The Haven Domestic Violence Shelter and Sexual Assault Center in Valdosta, Georgia for 16 years; making her the only Executive Director in this field operating two nonprofits and administering three state certified programs in fourteen counties across the State of Georgia. Michelle currently serves as a committee member on Georgia’s Child Abuse Services Board and Panel, to partner with Georgia’s child welfare system ensure efforts are made to preserve, support and strengthen families. Michelle is a Coastal College graduate in Criminal Justice. She has been married to John Girtman for 22 years. They have seven children and fifteen grandchildren. The couple is involved in foster care and attends Southside Baptist Church in Hazlehurst.

Dana James RN: Dana is a devoted wife, mother of two, and retired Nurse with nearly three decades of experience in Public Health. Throughout her career at the Ware County Health Department, she contributed to a wide range of programs, including Women’s Health, Immunizations, WIC, Adult Health, and Tuberculosis. Dana also served as the Adult Health Supervisor and the Tuberculosis Coordinator for the Southeast Health District. During the pandemic, she played a crucial role in COVID-19 investigations, testing, and vaccinations. Now, she’s thrilled to join the Share Health Board of Directors and continue working on causes that are close to her heart.

Monifa Johnson: Monifa is the Executive Director of the Housing Authority in Statesboro, GA. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Tulane University and has a background in music and education. She also worked as an educator in the Savannah/Chatham Public School System. Ms. Johnson is a member of the Georgia Association of Housing and Redevelopment Authorities (GAHRA), National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO), Public Housing Authorities Directors Association (PHADA), Chi Pi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., The Links Inc. (Savannah, Ga.), and a life member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). A lifelong advocate for human equality, Ms. Johnson is trained in anti-racist, anti-oppressive multicultural methodology by Crossroads Antiracism Organizing & Training, The People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond and the Unitarian Universalist Association.

Kristy Mock: Kristy has served as the Executive Director of Evans County Family Connection for seven years. She holds a master’s degree in Architecture and a bachelor’s degree in Historic Preservation and Urban Design from Savannah College of Art and Design. Kristy collaborates with Evans County Schools and other local agencies to ensure resources are utilized effectively, preventing families from slipping through the cracks. TBRI and trauma-trained, she identifies and supports families in crisis. Kristy is also involved in various boards, including FERST, Project Evans Hope, and the Christian Food Pantry. She organizes programs like the Literacy Bus and Teen Maze, focusing on education, mental health, and substance prevention. Kristy lives in Claxton with her husband of 16 years and their two children, who attend Claxton High School.

Jamayla Morehead: With 21 years of experience in Behavioral Health, Jamayla Morehead has devoted her career to making an impact. Starting as a Registered Nurse, she earned her Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) certification in 2008. Now the Director of Business Development at Greenleaf Behavioral Health Hospital in Valdosta, Jamayla is passionate about mental health. Her expertise as a Nurse and CAC will greatly benefit the Share Health Board of Directors, helping to address youth substance use and behavioral health risks while connecting the Board with valuable local resources. Jamayla lives in Homerville, GA, where she remains deeply involved in her community.

Rosemarie D. Parks, MD, MPH, (Ex-Officio): Rosemarie has been the Southeast Health District Health Director since July 2005. A native of Ohio, Dr. Parks holds a Master of Public Health degree from Youngstown State University and a Doctor of Medicine from Northeastern Ohio University’s College of Medicine. She received her residency in internal medicine from St. Elizabeth Health Center. Dr. Parks is Board Certified in internal medicine. She has a special interest in emergency preparedness and preventative medicine. District Health Director Waycross, GA

Kristina Patterson, PhD: Dr. Patterson is an Assistant Professor at Georgia Southern University focusing on civic engagement and racial health disparities. She collaborates on projects with Dr. Stacy Smallwood and engages community voices in research. Patterson chairs the Statesboro Youth Commission and leads initiatives like the Statesboro Village Builders to support youth development. She also serves as President of the Board of Directors at Habitat for Humanity Bulloch County, advocating for affordable housing.

Hollard G. Phillips: Hollard retired from Southeast Health District after working there for 25 years and completing a total of 34 years with state government. He held several positions and managed three programs during his employment. He holds Masters’ degrees from Valdosta State University and Emory University and is a resident of Douglas, Georgia. His current activities include administrative work at his church, Christian Education training, and being a father to four children.

Rebecca Spahos, MD: Dr. Spahos is a general surgeon with a special interest in breast cancer care and surgery. She completed her bachelor’s degree in Genetics from the University of Georgia, managed a lab for genetic cancer research at Emory University, and completed her medical school at the Medical College of Georgia. She started a Breast Cancer Program at East Georgia Regional Medical Center and practiced General Surgery there for six years. She is currently working at Evans Memorial Hospital in Claxton, practicing a broad range of general surgery, and is a member of the American College of Surgeons and the American Society of Breast Surgeons. She aims to provide excellent care to her community and has a dream of starting a Breast Center in Evans County.

James Thomas, DrPH: Dr. James Thomas, a Millen, GA native, is a Senior Lecturer in Health Policy and Community Health at the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health. He holds an MPH and DrPH in Community Health Behavior and Education from Georgia Southern University. Dr. Thomas has over 10 years of experience working with rural, Southeastern Georgia communities to address health disparities. His research focuses on health risk behaviors and disparities in rural minority populations. He has helped local nonprofits implement health education programs on Hypertension, Diabetes, Physical Activity, and Medication Adherence. He also coordinates a service-learning project with students, generating over 1,500 community service hours annually.