Dr. Marcia Jones (Family Medicine), a 21-year employee of CGH Medical Center, and board member for 11 years, was recently nominated and selected as the CGH Board of Directors Chairman, a groundbreaking selection that makes her the first woman to hold that position in the hospital’s 113 year history.
“It is a privilege to serve in this capacity, and I am deeply humbled,” said Jones. “I hope it encourages others to continue to reach for the stars. Being the ‘first woman’ highlights that more work needs to be done to promote and normalize gender and leadership diversity in all industries. That being said, as a Jamaican American, I am proud that CGH has a culture that supports and nurtures inclusivity and diversity, and I look forward to many others like myself in this leadership role.”
Prior to becoming board chairman, Dr. Jones served as the Medical Staff president from 2012 to 2016, chairman of the Institutional Review Board and Quality Committee, and on the hospital’s Planning Committee. As chairman, her vision includes CGH being the first choice for healthcare in the Sauk Valley area. “We will continue to recruit and retain a talented, highly skilled, compassionate workforce that will provide exceptional care for our patients,” she said. “I also see us continuing to foster local partnerships and utilizing resources to advance healthcare equity.”
She also realizes that the CGH Board of Directors, like many other hospital and healthcare boards, faces many ongoing challenges. “We are up against personnel shortages and workforce burnout, financial challenges, and a backlog of deferred healthcare due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Jones. “Nevertheless, everyone at CGH genuinely cares about doing what is best for our patients, and this will continue to be our priority.”
“We are so proud of Dr. Jones,” said Mary Jean Derreberry, a member of the CGH Board of Directors, which also includes Scott Wolber (Vice Chairman), John Benson (Treasurer), Nancy Rasmussen (Secretary), Dr. Shawn Hanlon, Dr. Thomas King, Dr. Jeffrey LeMay, Andy Moore, Heather Sotelo, and John Van Osdol. “She has been a great leader as a physician for CGH Medical Center for many years, and I have faith that she will be a great leader for our Board of Directors. I know that she will guide us to always make decisions that provide the best patient experience for our customers.”
Dr. Jones lives in Sterling with her spouse, Willis, and they have four sons. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, gardening and reading.
