DOUGLAS, Ga. (August 4, 2026)— The American Hospital Association (AHA) has elected seven new members to its Board for three-year terms beginning January 1, 2027. Coffee Regional Medical Center President and CEO Vicki Lewis, FACHE is one of the newly appointed AHA Board members. The AHA Board is the highest policymaking body of the AHA.
The appointment follows Lewis’ recent selection as Chair of the Georgia Hospital Association (GHA) Board of Trustees, placing her in a unique position to help shape healthcare discussions at both the state and national levels. “I am deeply honored by the opportunity to serve in these leadership roles and am proud to represent and advocate for all Georgia hospitals and the communities we collectively serve”. Lewis said. “Strengthening Georgia’s healthcare system and improving the health of all Georgians has and will continue to be the focus of my leadership for both the GHA and AHA Boards”.
While the appointments recognize Lewis’ leadership, she is quick to credit the physicians, nurses, employees, volunteers, and Board of Directors at Coffee Regional Medical Center (CRMC) for making these opportunities possible. “Every day, our team demonstrates an unwavering commitment to providing outstanding care for our patients and community. It is because of their dedication, compassion, and excellence that Coffee Regional has earned a respected voice in healthcare.”
As part of her role with the American Hospital Association, Lewis will Chair the AHA’s Region 4 Policy Board and work alongside hospital leaders on issues affecting healthcare, including access to care, workforce development, affordability, patient safety and quality, and the future of rural hospitals.
Under Lewis’ leadership, Coffee Regional Medical Center has continued to strengthen its reputation as one of Georgia’s leading rural hospitals through investments in patient care, physician recruitment, graduate medical education, quality initiatives, and expanded specialty services. The hospital recently launched its Internal Medicine Residency Program to help address physician workforce shortages and continues to expand needed healthcare services throughout South Georgia.
About Coffee Regional Medical Center:
Coffee Regional Medical Center is a non-profit, 98-bed acute care hospital serving Coffee and surrounding counties since 1953. Our facility offers comprehensive inpatient and outpatient services — including interventional cardiology, orthopedic and spine surgery, hematology/oncology and bariatric and metabolic disease services — to ensure exceptional care close to home. Our medical staff represents a wide range of specialties, from primary care to advanced surgical and subspecialty services. To learn more, visit coffeeregional.org.