After several years of service at Southeast Health, Kelly Hurt, vice president and chief human resources officer, announced that she has accepted a new role as the leader of Human Resources for a seven-hospital health system. This was a career growth opportunity for Kelly and we wish her well in her new role.

In coordination with Kelly’s departure, Southeast Health is restructuring certain areas of its leadership team to better serve employees and fulfill our mission.

Due to the dynamic nature of the labor market, we are currently conducting a search for a new vice president of Human Resources who will focus solely on this area. The new leader will be charged with developing recruitment strategies to help navigate the competitive landscape, talent development and retention of existing staff, and employee engagement.

A traditional Support Services division will be created and Jennifer Gaines, MBA, vice president of Ancillary Services will transition to the vice president of Support Services. Jennifer joined the organization in 2009, after receiving several internal promotions, she was named vice president of Ancillary Services in 2017.

In her current role, Jennifer leads Plant Operations, Design and Construction and Real Estate Development efforts for the health system. Her continued leadership of these areas will ensure that major capital projects remain on track and advance the health system’s mission. In her new role, she will also have responsibilities for Food and Nutrition Services, Environmental Services, Life Safety and Security.

Jennifer earned her Associate Degree of Applied Science from Enterprise Junior College and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Troy University. She also has a Master of Business Administration from the University of North Alabama.

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Eric Hartigan, RN, MSN, MBA, currently the executive director of ancillary services for Southeast Health, has been named the interim vice president of Ancillary Services. Eric will be responsible for the operations of ancillary departments which include Cardiology, Radiology, Laboratory Services, Pulmonary, Pharmacy, Neurodiagnostics, Wound Care, Rehabilitation Services, Infusion Services and Cancer Services.

Eric has 22 years of healthcare experience in nursing and hospital leadership. He joined the Southeast Health team in 2017 as the executive director of Heart and Vascular Services.

Eric received his Associates in Applied Science in Nursing from Bishop State Community College and his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of South Alabama. He earned a Master of Science in Nursing at the University of Mobile and a Master in Business Administration from the University of North Alabama.

While the search is underway for a new vice president of Human Resources, Kevin Broyles, director of Human Resources at the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine and Tanya Burt, director of Organizational Development will work together to oversee Human Resources functions across the organization. All changes to the Southeast Health executive team structure will take effect on March 11, 2022.