North Georgia Medical Center & Gilmer Nursing Home CEO/Administrator, Jeffrey M. Dunn, Recipient Of Georgia’s Most Innovative Leader In Long Term Care

SunLink Health Systems, Inc. (NYSE AMEX: SSY) is pleased to announce that one of its own, Jeffrey M. Dunn, CEO/Administrator of its North Georgia Medical Center & Gilmer Nursing Home, was this year’s recipient of the prestigious Georgia Health Care Association’s (GHCA) Georgia’s Most Innovative Leader in Long Term Care Award. The award recognized Mr. Dunn’s leadership in developing innovative and unique long-term care programs and identifying new ways to improve the lives of long-term care residents. Mr. Dunn received the award at the GHCA’s annual conference in June.

Mr. Dunn’s honor recognized his skills in overseeing the operations of Gilmer Nursing Home, a 100-bed nursing home with a skilled nursing unit, as well as his leadership of North Georgia Medical Center, a 50-bed full-service acute care hospital with specialty clinics, orthopedic surgery and sports medicine services and a medical day spa. At Gilmer Nursing Home, Mr. Dunn successfully implemented the Eden System which embraces Person Centered Care, making the nursing home as home-like as possible for every resident. Gilmer Nursing Home was recognized for two consecutive years by The Research Council of America as one of America’s Top Nursing Homes.

Mr. Dunn’s experience spans over 25 years, with humble beginnings as a volunteer and later employed as a nursing assistant at Gilmer Nursing Home. He expanded his knowledge in nursing and hospital administration, and advanced in 2001 as SunLink Health Systems’ North Georgia Medical & Gilmer Nursing Homes’ CEO/Administrator.

In receiving the award, Mr. Dunn said, “It is an honor to work in Gilmer County. Gilmer County took care of me as a child and now it’s my turn to take care of those who took care of me. The staff and the community make our nursing home what it is. SunLink is a great company to work for; I have learned so much from their leadership and appreciate all the support they have given me for the past ten years. Without their support all of these accomplishments would not have been possible.”