Bridges Announced as Next Chief of Staff
September 25, 2023
J. Gary Bridges, D.O.
OPELIKA, Ala.—Every two years on Oct. 1, the chief of staff role at East Alabama Health (EAH) rotates to a new active staff physician following a vote conducted by medical staff members.
J. Gary Bridges, D.O. has been selected to succeed Mary Ann Shannon, M.D., as the EAH chief of staff and will hold the position from Oct. 1, 2023 until Sept. 30, 2025. Bridges practices at Anesthesia Associates of East Alabama.
As chief of staff, Bridges will serve as a liaison between the medical staff and the hospital board; work with the hospital CEO and Administration to develop policies, coordinate care and enforce the policies of the by-laws; head the medical executive committee; and serve on other committees of the medical staff.
Bridges brings significant experience to the role, having previously served as chief of anesthesiology, chief of surgery, and multiple committees over more than 20 years with EAH. Now as chief of staff, he hopes to help keep the organization looking forward.
“The number one goal is to help recruit medical staff to better serve the needs of our growing community,” Bridges said. “It’s important we have a unified medical staff working with administration to help move our organization forward.”
Bridges earned his bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from the University of Georgia, his medical degree from the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency at UAB. While at UAB, he served as chief resident within the Department of Anesthesiology.
Outside of work, Bridges enjoys watching Georgia athletics, SEC football, working on his farm, hunting, and traveling with his wife.
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About East Alabama Health
East Alabama Health encompasses East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika, EAMC-Lanier in Valley, the Spencer Cancer Center in Opelika, the Auburn Medical Pavilion and a host of other key medical clinic and practices that help provide a continuum of care to patients throughout an 11-county area. EAMC is a 314-bed regional referral hospital, while EAMC-Lanier provides inpatient services as well as a nursing home, an acute rehab unit and an ambulatory surgery center. East Alabama Health employs about 3,500 people and is the second largest employer in the region, trailing only Auburn University. For more information, visit www.eastalabamahealth.org.