As July closed, a local truck repair shop became part of a manufacturing expansion; a pediatric practice gained four new partners; and a giant in Augusta healthcare announced his retirement.
Augusta truck and trailer repair shop Matthews Motors, formerly known as FleetCare announced Monday, Aug. 1 its new agreement with UK-based truck manufacturer Dennis Eagle. The auto retailer, its shop located on Gordon Highway, will be a distributor for Dennis Eagle’s ProView line of garbage trucks.
“We are extremely excited to become part of the Dennis Eagle family,” said Bob Matthews, CEO of Matthews Motors. “Dennis Eagle is the industry leader for quality and durability with some of the most innovative chassis designs in the industry.”
The ProView trucks are manufactured at Dennis Eagle’s factory in Summerville, S.C., where the North American arm of the company is headquartered.
Longtime hospital president retires
James R. Davis, President and Chief Executive Officer of Piedmont Augusta and Piedmont McDuffie, formerly University Health Care System, announced his retirement on Aug. 3 after 13 years in Augusta and nearly 30 years as an executive in healthcare systems.
“In Augusta, I’ve had the pleasure to work with the absolute best healthcare team,” said Davis. “Everything that has been accomplished while I was here, we accomplished together. They are highly skilled, experienced and dedicated, but most of all, committed to making a positive difference in every life they touch. Their CEO is a title I have worn with great pride.”
Hugh Hamilton, chairman of both the Piedmont Augusta Board and Richmond County Hospital Authority, attributed Davis’ contributions and improvements during his tenure as CEO to his experience and training as an engineer, and the resulting inclination toward problem-solving and efficiency.
Under Davis’ direction, Piedmont Augusta implemented the electronic health record system Epic; acquired and integrated into Piedmont the former Trinity Hospital, whose campus was renovated to care for COVID-19 patients; and launched a partnership with Augusta Technical College to annually train upwards of 200 nurses and other staff.
A committee, which will include Piedmont Healthcare CEO Kevin Brown and some members of the Piedmont Augusta Board, will conduct a national search for Davis’ replacement.
New doctors added to pediatric practice
Pediatric Partners of Augusta, which has locations in Evans, Grovetown and downtown Augusta, recently announced that four of its doctors have been chosen to become partners.
Dr. Beatriz Barrientos graduated from the Medical College of Georgia and practices at the Evans location, and has been with Pediatric Partners since 2005.
Another MCG alumna, Dr. Yolanda Safford Jones, who joined the practice in 2018 and works at the Evans and Grovetown offices, is an Augusta native who graduated from A.R. Johnson High School before going to Spelman College for undergrad.
Dr. Jill Kitchens practiced medicine in Cartersville, Ga. for nine years before joining Pediatric Partners, and Dr. Sandra Herzwurm served as chief resident of pediatrics at MCG and joined the practice in 1996.
“We have had the pleasure of working with these four women for some time now and are very proud to call them partners,” said founding partner Dr. Karen Foushee. “They are all capable, wonderful pediatricians who believe in the mission of Pediatric Partners of Augusta.”
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
