GMHC Names Larry Gellerstedt III Board Chair

The Grady Memorial Hospital Corporation Board of Directors named Larry Gellerstedt III chairman at its meeting on Monday, March 8, 2021. Gellerstedt is a partner at Sweetwater Holdings and is the past Chairman of the Board and CEO of Cousins Properties. Gellerstedt takes over board leadership duties from Frank Blake, former chairman and CEO of The Home Depot.

“I am honored to serve as chair of the Grady board and I am excited to work with health system leadership to build on the success this vital institution has achieved,” said Gellerstedt. “Grady is essential for the physical and financial health of our community. It is my mission to continue moving the institution forward, as did my esteemed predecessor Frank Blake.”

During his tenure, Blake’s guidance helped fuel growth in key service areas and enabled the health system to expand upon its mission – resulting in enhanced care which improves health across the region. Among the many achievements under Blake’s leadership:

• Plans were finalized for Grady’s new Center for Advanced Surgical Services/The Correll Pavilion. The center will increase capacity for surgeries, outpatient services, and cancer treatments at a time when demand is soaring.
• The rollout of Georgia’s first mobile stroke unit – a specially equipped ambulance that provides cutting-edge diagnostics and care in the field. The unit makes it possible for patients to receive life-saving treatment at their location during the critical early minutes of a stroke.
• Continued expansion of Grady’s Mobile Integrated Health program, which uses paramedics and advanced practice providers to make home visits to patients who have been identified as high risk for readmission. By taking care to patients’ homes and ensuring adherence to discharge treatment plans, the program helps patients stay healthy and out of the emergency department.
• Expansion of behavioral healthcare through the integration of behavioral health services into all health system primary care clinics and in-home visits as part of the Mobile Integrated Health initiative.

“My sincere thanks to Frank for his tireless commitment to Grady and the health of our community,’ said John Haupert, Grady’s president and CEO. “I look forward to working with Larry for continued health system success.”