The Greene County Democrat

Tag: Rodgerick Williams

  • Celebrating the 65th anniversary of Greene County’s hospital

    Celebrating the 65th anniversary of Greene County’s hospital

    Featured above: Greene County Hospital Foundation members, GCHS CEO Roderick Williams, Director of Nurses for Greene County’s Nursing Home Nicole Henley, and Material Management Coordinator Marquita Walton

    by Maya Quinn, editor

    The Eutaw Senior Activity Center was transformed into a ballroom for an evening of dancing to celebrate Greene County Hospital’s 65th anniversary. Hospital CEO and Administrator Rodergick Williams spearheaded the fundraising event to procure funds for the hospital’s longevity. The night began with Williams thanking the donors and citizens who use Greene County’s health services. He also applauded the diligent personnel of Greene County Health System, saying he has “very special leaders” around him.

    A group of four people dancing in a festive indoor setting with tables and guests in the background.
    Latasha Johnson leading line dances during the evening

    Mr. Williams has been on a mission to support his beloved hometown. “When I arrived six months ago, our major bank accounts were seized during my first payroll cycle,” Williams said. Williams immediately drove to the IRS office in Birmingham to tell their case manager that, unlike previous administrators, he was interested in running a “transparent, accountable, properly operating healthcare system.” The case manager released the funds that same day.

    Although some may believe Greene County Health System is fully county-funded, the majority of the $1.2 million monthly expenses for the hospital and nursing home are paid for by citizens using their services. “Every routine clinic visit, lab, X-ray, and outpatient service that leaves Greene County is revenue rural hospitals need in order to survive,” Williams explained. Plans to expand the hospital cannot rely on generous donations alone, especially in the face of federal funding cuts for Medicaid and other insurance under the Affordable Care Act. It is imperative that county citizens regularly use its services so they have expedient care for the big moments–emergencies and major accidents.

    Procuring more funding and optimizing the hospital’s operations will accommodate career tech opportunities. The hospital aims to provide readily available jobs to high school graduates through a CNA-to-RN pipeline, with the possibility of advancing to management positions. This initiative will combat the population decline of Greene County, as many students often search for work outside of the county upon graduation. “We must support our children,” Williams stated. There are already 7 students participating in the CNA career tech program supervised by the Director of Nursing at Greene County Nursing Home, Nicole Henley. 

    Elegant table setup featuring a decorative golden candelabra in the foreground, with a lavish green tablecloth and decorative elements, set in a banquet hall filled with guests in the background.
    65 shades of Greene decorations by Latasha Johnson

    In this new era of healthcare for Greene County, victory is on the horizon. Williams understands how to expand Greene County’s health systems from working with some of America’s largest hospitals. “One day our story will be told because people will want to understand how a small rural hospital in the Black Belt survived while others disappeared,” Williams began, “If you partner with us now, your name becomes part of that story…Thank you all for believing in us.”

    To learn more about Greene County Health Systems, visit https://gcheutaw.com/ or call (205) 372-3388

    All image credentials: Maya Quinn on iPhone 15

  • Greene County Health Systems launches Career Tech Program

    Greene County Health Systems launches Career Tech Program

    by Maya Quinn
    Managing Editor

    Lakisha Gill, Nicole Henley, Rodgerick Williams standing in the nursing home waiting area
    Lakisha Gill, Nicole Henley, and Rodgerick Williams standing in the nursing home waiting area

    Thursday, March 5th, Greene County Hospital launched its career tech program for Eutaw High School students with the induction of seven students. Hospital Administrator Rodgerick Williams welcomed students, along with Chief Nursing Officer Lakisha Gill and Nicole Henley, director of nursing at the Greene County Nursing Home. The goal of the program is to prepare students for employment opportunities and address the ongoing rural healthcare crisis in the community.

    Retention of students is essential to reshaping the culture of Greene County Health Systems. Each summer, students may experience a phenomenon known as “brain drain”: a lack of academic stimulation that leads to learning loss. Greene County Health Systems aims to combat that with the career tech program. Henley stated that the program aims to provide students with invaluable work experience to equip them for positions here in Greene County. Students practiced completing applications, drafting resumes, and handling other daily tasks for introductory positions across disciplines. The program’s staff and teachers are bridging a gap by ensuring that students have the necessary soft skills to be employed in college or immediately after graduation.

    hospital staff showing students the CT scan machine
    hospital staff showing career tech students a CT scan machine

    Lakisha Gill highlighted the importance of programs like these in preparing students for clinical and professional schools. Alongside patient care tech training, students are developing key employability skills, including communication, self-management, digital literacy, teamwork, and problem-solving. The program will partner with Wallace Community College’s LPN (licensed practical nurse) program and Workforce Alabama to procure stipends for students. “These kids need to be involved in something,” Gill stated, “we need to give back as a unit to the students here.” Upon completion of CNA (certified nursing assistant) training, students will be offered CNA positions in the Greene County Health System.

    UAB Alabama Rural Health Collaborative team with Hospital Administrator Rodgerick Williams
    UAB Alabama Rural Health Collaborative team with Rodgerick Williams

    Williams is also working closely with the UAB Alabama Rural Health Collaborative to decrease rural hospital bypass, the tendency of residents to seek care beyond their closest hospital. The collaborative will help counsel the hospital to procure funds for new imaging equipment and a surgery suite. Williams asserted that these improvements are imperative to serve Greene County’s residents better. A study from the University of North Carolina’s Rural Health Research Program found that traveling beyond the local hospital for care in rural areas is associated with higher inpatient mortality rates. In emergencies such as sepsis, rural hospital bypass can lead to patients missing a critical period of care that means the difference between life and death.

    Rural bypass behaviors result in a significant loss of revenue for the hospital. Revenue loss leads to a detrimental cascading effect, leaving hospitals understaffed. Understaffing means the hospital will lack key services such as critical illness care and obstetrics. Greene County Health Systems is not a for-profit institution and relies on county members to keep its doors open. Williams urges community members to use the hospital for all their care needs and not just emergencies, “to make sure that in this rural environment they can get service in their golden hour of need.”

  • Greene County Commission receives new equipment to patch potholes; holds meetings to approve grant proposals and other matters

    A group of five people standing together in front of a street maintenance truck with a large hopper, featuring branding and equipment. The scene takes place outdoors with power lines in the background.

    Greene County Commissioners displays new pothole patching machine.


    The Greene County Commission met for its regular monthly meeting on Monday, February 9, 2026 at the William M. Branch Courthouse in Eutaw. All Commissioners were present.
    Before the meeting began, the Commissioners looked at a new pothole patching machine that they acquired for the Highway Department at a cost of $325,500. This machine can be operated by one person instead of a crew of people and will save money in patching potholes. The machine will allow for the Department to reach many roads on a more timely basis to deal with potholes.
    At the meeting the Commissioners agreed to submit the 2026 CDBG grant proposal for $500,000 to the State of Alabama for approval and implementation. According to Assistant Engineer, John Isley, the CDBG proposal included road repair to the following roads – Barren Road, Cook Road, County Road 74, County Road 67 and Emerald Lane. The exact amount of road work that can be done will be based on actual cost, availability of 10% matching funds, and other factors.
    The Commission approved a contract for $2,800 to Standard Roofing to repair holes in the roof of the Eutaw Activity Center.
    The Commission approved a request for $5,000 to assist E-911. The Commission agreed to provide E-911 with $5,000 per quarter from the undesignated funds from the Greene County Racing Commission for pari-mutuel gaming at the Palace Entertainment Center in Knoxville, Alabama.
    The Commission approved travel expenses for the Board of Registrars to attend AABOR meeting in Orange Beach on February 26-28, 2026; they also approved travel for two Assistant Engineers to attend training in Tuscaloosa at the AVMS Annual Conference on February 24-25, 2026.
    Altheria Wilder, CFO, gave a financial report on the County’s funds as of January 31, 2026. The County has a total of $12,599,817 in funds in Citizens Trust Bank and Merchants and Farmers Bank. Of these funds: $4,676,849 are unrestricted and $7,922,968 are restricted. There is an additional total of $1 909,209 in Certificates of Deposit and investments. In January 2026, the Commission paid out $3,452,992 for payroll and bills. Another $82,794 was paid in electronic transfers for payroll taxes and retirement. All County agencies are operating close to budget projections for the first four months of the fiscal year and have close to 67% of projected budgets remaining. The Commission approved the financial report.
    At the Commission Work Session on February 4, 2026, the Commission heard a report from Rodgerick Williams, Administrator of the Greene County Health System, which includes the hospital, nursing home and physicians clinic. He said that he has been at the facility for two months and has acquired some new equipment to monitor patient vital signs, a baby warmer and renovated two rooms in the Nursing Home. With help from the County Commission in advancing tax funds has helped stabilize the finances of the Greene County Health System. Williams invited the Commissioners and the public to visit the health care facilities and use them when they are needed.
    District Attorney, Rachel England, for the 17th Judicial Circuit of Greene, Sumter and Marengo counties, came to the Work Session to request $20,000 be included in the county’s budget for a “major crimes unit” for personnel, supplies and trainings to make the unit operational. Commission Chair Garria Spencer asked the District Attorney to put her plan and request in writing for further action by the Commission.
    The Work Session also heard a presentation by Charles Gomez, contractor for revitalizing the Greenetrack facility, which is now owned by the county. Gomez suggested that $2.7 million would be needed for repairs to the facility to make it available for lease by gaming, restaurants and other businesses. The County Commission is scheduled for a site visit to Greenetrack on February 11, 2026 to see what work Gomez has done and what is still needed for the property.