Bradley Nurkin, president of Northeast Georgia Medical Center, has finished his first week on the job and loved it.

“It’s very exciting for me to come on to a hospital with such a reputation for quality,” Nurkin said.

The hospital is well known for its cardiac services.
It was ranked the No. 1 heart hospital for seven consecutive years and is the first hospital in the world to receive two ACE accreditations, according to the system’s website.

He said the quality of care and quality of the hospital’s physicians and staff made his decision to come an easy one.

Northeast Georgia Health System CEO Carol Burrell said the role of president was restructured from the previous role of chief operating officer. Burrell has served as president and CEO since June 2011.

The hospital plans to expand in the spring of 2015 by opening the Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Braselton.

Because the system is soon to grow and have multiple locations, Burrell said it’s critical to have a “laser focus,” especially when developing and working with physicians and clinical staff.

Burrell said Nurkin will be able to provide “that strong leadership” for the main campus in Gainesville.

Nurkin has 15 years of experience in hospital administration. Most recently he worked as president and CEO of Johnson City Medical Center in Tennessee where he oversaw operations of a 501-bed level I Trauma Center and teaching hospital.

According to a news release, he received an outstanding leadership award for clinical excellence from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

He has also served as CEO of Charlotte Regional Medical Center in Punta Gorda, Fla., CEO of Lancaster Regional Medical Center in Lancaster, Pa., CEO of East Georgia Regional Medical Center in Statesboro; and interim CEO and COO of Crossgates River Oaks Hospital in Brandon, Miss.

“I think my background in the different hospitals and communities can add to what is going in Gainesville and Northeast Georgia hospital and provide perspective and new ideas,” Nurkin said.

Burrell said it was his years of diverse experience at large, small, for-profit and not-for-profit hospitals that made him a top choice.

“For him to bring all of that varied experience, it’ll be a great benefit,” Burrell said.

Nurkin said he’s glad to be working for a “vibrant and growing organization with so much potential.”