CULLMAN, Ala. – Cullman’s Good Samaritan Health Clinic recently named five new members to its board of directors, and executive director Jolanda Hutson was proud to introduce them.
Adam Clark
Clark is a sergeant with the Cullman Police Department, working in its investigation division. He has been commended for his efforts in community outreach including coordinating the department’s “Shop with a Cop” Christmas charity and working on its annual Halloween Trunk or Treat event.
Hutson said, “Personally, I did not know Adam before he joined the board, but after our first board meeting, I knew he was going to be a great addition. His enthusiasm is contagious, and he has already contributed so much to the clinic in less than two short months.”
Zach Lee
Lee is an operations manager with Lowe’s, having been with the company for more than 17 years. He has worked in the Cullman community for 25 years and has served on multiple organizational boards in the area.
Hutson said, “Anyone who knows Zach, knows he cares about people and has a servant’s heart. I first met Zach a couple of years ago when he was part of the (Cullman Area) Chamber’s Leadership Cullman County. He came to me after my presentation to the group, offering his help to the clinic in any way needed. Well, since that time, he and Lowe’s have been very benevolent to the clinic and our patients. In 2020, he and Lowe’s provided meals for seven of our patients’ families during Thanksgiving and Christmas and also provided 60-plus poinsettias for us to give as tokens of appreciation to our volunteer physicians, dentists, community partners and the clinic’s staff.”
Shay Persall
Persall is an attorney with St. John & St. John, with degrees in criminal justice. She practices in the areas of civil litigation, estate planning and probate administration. She has also served on the board of Cullman Caring for Kids and sits on the board of the Stephen K. Griffith Memorial Fund.
Said Hutson, “I first became acquainted with Shay about a year and a half ago when the clinic began conversations with the Steve Griffith Memorial Fund in an effort to address the mental health crisis in our community. Shay has been instrumental in the evolution of the clinic’s newly formed partnership with the fund and Haven Counseling Services. I’m confident Shay’s leadership and advocacy for the clinic and Memorial Fund alike will continue to lead to great things for our community.”
Maria Steele, DNP
Steele is a family psychiatric nurse practitioner and clinical assistant professor at UAH. She holds a master’s degree in public health administration and has clinical expertise in public health nursing and psychiatric mental health nursing.
Hutson said, “As a health care provider, Good Samaritan Clinic seeks board leadership from medical experts in the community. The clinic certainly feels blessed to have Maria join the board of directors particularly with her knowledge and expertise in the mental health realm. The timing of her joining the BOD couldn’t be better with the clinic now providing mental health counseling services for our patients. Maria will bring much insight to the clinic as we seek to help our patients build on a stronger foundation towards both mental and physical health.”
T’aira Ugarkovich
Ugarkovich is executive vice president and relationship manager with Cullman Savings Bank, and has worked for the bank for more than 11 years.
Hutson said, “Cullman Savings Bank has been a longtime supporter of the clinic and has been our sole platinum sponsor for our signature event, the Caring for Cullman Concert, the past couple of years. CSB not only supports our efforts financially but is always willing to get behind us in other practical ways in meeting our patients’ needs. T’aira has a reputation of being passionate and a hard worker in whatever she does. I’m thankful she reached out to me wanting to serve on our board.”
Lee and Ugarkovich took a moment to talk about their decisions to serve on the board and what they hope to accomplish.
Ugarkovich shared, “I chose to serve on the board because of the Good Samaritan Clinic mission. The clinic does amazing things for our community and I want to be a part of this. I would hope that my time on the board can be spent spreading the word of all the good work the clinic does to reach the potential clients that may need the clinic’s assistance.”
Lee told The Tribune, “One of the things I’d like to do is increase community awareness of the clinic: what they offer and who we actually serve, and who would actually be available, too. As a board (member), I want to continue the success of managing the current and future budgets, ensure that the clinic’s operating effectively. Another important thing of mine is employee relations; I want to make sure that the employees’ development is always ongoing.”
Lee said he has seen just what a charitable organization like Good Samaritan could do through friends who were clinic patients, adding, “One thing I found is that giving back to the community is really a true fulfillment for me. Seems like the older I get, the more I give, but it fulfills me so much more than where I was as a young man. But now, getting up in age, if I’ve got it, if I’ve got the opportunity to give, I’m going to give. And that’s basically how I live my life: if I’ve got it to give, I’m probably going to give it to you.”
Good Samaritan’s board also includes:
- Board Chairman Joe McNulty, pastor, Cornerstone Church of the Nazarene
- Vice Chairman Jared Rice, PharmD, pharmacist, Borden Family Pharmacy
- Secretary Paula Waters, social worker, clinic volunteer
- Board Treasurer Lindsay M. Rhodes, CPA/PFS, CGMA, Lindsay M. Rhodes, CPA, LLC
- Heather Ashley, nursing faculty, Wallace State Community College
- Charna Brown, chief nursing officer, Cullman Regional Medical Center
- Conna Canada, certified audiologist (Retired), clinic volunteer
- Matt Dellinger, DMD, dentist, Matt Dellinger, DMD
To find out more about Good Samaritan Health Clinic, visit www.goodsamaritancullman.com or call 256-775-1389.
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