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Meet Albemarle Hospital CEO Sharon M. Tanner

Apr 15, 2008 - Six years ago, Sharon M. Tanner moved from
bustling Bethesda, Md., to take the top job at Albemarle Health in Elizabeth City.

The reputation of northeastern North Carolina's largest healthcare provider, its facilities and state-of-the-art equipment were big factors in Tanner's decision to relocate. But there was something else that lured her to this "Harbor of Hospitality."

"This is a great place to live," said Tanner. "You get the advantages of having access to a large city with the benefits of a small town."

Located less than an hour's drive from Norfolk and Virginia Beach, the Elizabeth City area is gaining the attention of business leaders, like Tanner, in a number of fields.

Leveraging its convenient location with a beautiful downtown and harbor, proximity to the nation's largest Coast Guard base and a thriving state university, community college and regional hospital, the Elizabeth City area has become a new growth corridor.

"It's the best of both worlds," said Wayne Harris, economic developer of the Albemarle Economic Development Commission (AEDC). "In addition to a lovely, small-town setting, Elizabeth City has the infrastructure to support business. Albemarle Health is a tremendous asset to our region, providing both excellent healthcare services and good-paying jobs."

According to the AEDC, healthcare and social assistance is the industry sector that employs the most people in Pasquotank County (3,139 average), with Albemarle Hospital listed as one of the top two employers. Of Albemarle Health's 1,100 total employees, approximately 1,000 work in Elizabeth City.

As president and chief executive officer of Albemarle Health, Tanner oversees healthcare services for a seven-county region of more than 140,000 year-round residents in northeastern North Carolina.

From Albemarle Health's headquarters in Elizabeth City, she supervises the operation of Albemarle Hospital, an acute care facility with 182 beds, regional oncology and medical centers and primary care facilities located throughout the coverage area. Tanner is also the driving force behind the Albemarle Health Foundation, which operates Community Care Clinics for residents in need.

"When people are deciding where to live, they want to make sure their healthcare needs can be met close to home," said Tanner.

"We provide a level of service you wouldn't expect in a small community, including neurosurgery, vascular surgery, cardiology services, endocrinoloy and plastic and cosmetic surgery," said Tanner. "As the population grows, we continue to develop services, particularly as new members of the community have come from a more urban environment with a high expectation of service."

Albemarle Health offers patients such cutting-edge technology as "Stealth" brain mapping equipment, digital mammography and Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy that hones in on cancerous cells while sparing the tissue surrounding it.

This year, Albemarle Health completed a $44- million construction project to build a new emergency department and surgery center at the hospital. It also received a $1.5 million FCC Award to establish a high-speed broadband network for transferring health data in the region.

And while Albemarle Health moves at a fast clip to stay on the cutting edge, the atmosphere of the region's leading healthcare provider is decidedly friendly - a reminder of what drew Tanner to the area in the first place.

"What attracted me is the "Harbor of Hospitality," said Tanner, referring to Elizabeth City's long-time tag line.

Her Bethesda friends chastised her at first about relocating, but now they are frequent visitors at Tanner's downtown residence - dining out, taking in a movie, enjoying the waterfront views.

"This is a very hospitable place," Tanner said.

Just the Facts - FY 2008:

Albemarle Health, an affiliate of University Health Systems, is a not-for-profit healthcare provider, overseen by a board of commissioners. When Dr. Oscar McMullan founded it in 1913, it was northeastern North Carolina's first hospital.

Public Service *

• $47,750 Local Health Improvement Organizations
  
• $2,571 Local Civic Improvement Organizations
  
• $42,737 Public Service/Education Activities
  
• $93,058 Total

Charity/Uncollected/Discounted Care *

• $17,074,448 Bad Debt and Charity Care for Patient Services
  
• $21,717,570 Discounts for HMOs, PPOs, etc.
  
• $85,66762,129 Contractual Adjustments for Government Programs
  
• $124,464,147 Total

Economic Impact *

• 1,005 Total Employees
  
• $56,131,223 Salaries/Wages/Benefits
  
• $24,864,579 Capital Funds Reinvested
  
• $6,162,383 Local Vendor Purchases
  
• $87,158,185 Total

A Spirit of Volunteerism

• 224 Volunteer Staff
  
• 22,767 Total Hours Donated to Albemarle Health by Volunteer Staff
  
• 10,855 Total Hours Donated to Community by Albemarle Health Staff
  
• 4,107 Total Hours Donated to Community by Physicians

Selected Service Statistics