The Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia will honor Carol Healan Burrell as the 2025 Gainesville Woman of Distinction on Tuesday, March 11, at the Chattahoochee Country Club in Gainesville, Georgia. This award is given to a female to celebrate her exceptional leadership, impactful contributions, and embodiment of the values outlined in the Girl Scout Promise and Law. It recognizes a woman who is an inspiring role model for girls, exemplifying service, empowerment, and excellence in all she does.
Leader in the health field
Burrell has served as the President and CEO of Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) since 2011, leading the health system through a period of unmatched growth and success. Under her guidance, NGHS has expanded significantly, becoming one of the most respected healthcare organizations in the state, with an annual economic impact of nearly $7.5 billion.
Her remarkable leadership has earned her numerous accolades, including being named Georgia’s Most Respected Business Leader by Georgia Trend magazine and appearing on the 100 Most Influential Georgians list for twelve consecutive years. Burrell was also recognized in Atlanta Magazine’s 2025 Atlanta 500.
NGHS, under Burrell’s leadership, has transformed from a single hospital system to a network of five acute care hospitals, including a Level I Trauma Center, with more than 960 beds and a medical staff of over 1,300 providers across more than 50 specialties. Other notable divisions under her leadership include the Northeast Georgia Physicians Group, the sixth-largest multispecialty physician group in the state, and the Georgia Heart Institute, Georgia’s most advanced heart and vascular program.
Burrell’s commitment to healthcare education is reflected in NGHS’s Graduate Medical Education program, which is one of the largest in the state and provides residencies in seven specialties, shaping the future physician leaders of tomorrow.
Background
A native of Carl, Georgia, Burrell earned her bachelor’s degree in medical technology from Georgia Southern University and Emory University, followed by a master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from Central Michigan University. With more than 30 years of experience in clinical operations in both for-profit and non-profit settings, she has been part of NGHS’s senior management team since 1999.
Her leadership extends beyond healthcare, as she has served as past board chair for the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce and is an active member of several organizations, including Gainesville Rotary, United Way, and the Georgia Hospital Association. Burrell’s numerous awards include the 2024 CEO of the Year from the Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals, the 2025 Leadership Legacy Award from the Georgia Commission on Women, and the 2024 W. Daniel Barker Leadership Award from the Georgia Hospital Association. She was also inducted as a 2024 Laureate into Junior Achievement’s Northeast Georgia Business Hall of Fame.
A hallmark of Burrell’s tenure at NGHS is the culture of continuous improvement known as the “Quest for Excellence,” which empowers all employees to innovate and enhance patient care. Burrell’s mantra, “Be better tomorrow than you are today,” has driven NGHS’s success and commitment to providing top-tier healthcare to the community.
Support of the Girl Scouts
Burrell will be honored as the 2025 Gainesville Woman of Distinction at a special luncheon at the Chattahoochee Country Club on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. The event, generously sponsored by Northeast Georgia Health System, will raise funds to support the Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia and their mission to empower young girls in the region. Individual tickets are available for $125, with additional sponsorship opportunities for those wishing to contribute further to the cause.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.gshg.org/gainesvilleevents. For questions, contact Lindsay McCuen, Community Engagement Manager at Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia, at 888-689-1912.
