Georgia
Medical Society Honors AASU's Dean of Health Professions
Savannah,
GA—October 14, 2004—During its recent Healthcare Heroes
Banquet, the Georgia Medical Society (GMS) recognized Barry S. Eckert,
dean of the College of Health Professions at Armstrong Atlantic State
University, with the "Award in Healthcare Innovations."
The award recognizes the significant role providers and volunteers
play in improving health and reducing the burden of illness in society.
GMS described Eckert as a leader in designing initiatives to address
workforce needs in southeast Georgia, particularly in allied health
and nursing. Eckert is credited with establishing partnerships between
the university community and healthcare providers to seek work force
solutions and relief from the shortages that affect citizens of Georgia.
A few years ago, Eckert secured funding for two Intellectual Capital
Partnership grants that helped enrollments in medical technology at
Armstrong Atlantic. He also launched health professionals workforce
partnerships that allowed AASU to open additional allied health programs
in diagnostic ultrasound and nuclear medicine.
Eckert serves on the executive committee of the American Stroke Association's
Operation Stroke, the workforce taskforce of the Georgia Hospital
Association, the leadership board of the American Cancer Society,
the council of the American Diabetes Association, and Union Mission's
Healthcare Oversight Committee. He is the current chair of the Southeast
Georgia Cancer Alliance.
