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Colquitt Regional Health System is proud to announce that President and CEO Jim Matney has been named to Becker's Hospital Review's prestigious list of "240 Community Hospital CEOs to Know" for 2026. The national recognition honors healthcare leaders who are making a significant impact through strategic leadership, clinical excellence, innovation, and a commitment to improving the health of the communities they serve.

MOULTRIE, GA — Matney was recognized for transforming Colquitt Regional Health System into a thriving independent rural health system and teaching institution. Under his leadership, the organization has expanded access to specialty care, significantly grown its physician workforce, developed multiple graduate medical education programs, and strengthened healthcare access throughout South Georgia. Becker’s also highlighted Colquitt Regional’s nationally recognized employee engagement, the health system’s continued commitment to patient safety, and its investment in the future of rural healthcare through physician training and residency education.

“This recognition is a tremendous honor, and I’m grateful to Becker’s for including me among this year’s community hospital leaders,” said Matney. “But more than anything, I see this recognition as a reflection of the incredible team at Colquitt Regional. It takes the dedication and commitment of our physicians, nurses, employees, board members, volunteers, and community partners to build a health system that people trust and choose for their care. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together and honored to be part of a team that continues to make Colquitt Regional the first choice for so many across South Georgia.”

Since joining Colquitt Regional, Matney has led significant growth across the organization, including the recruitment of numerous specialists, the expansion of clinical services, and the development of residency programs in Family Medicine, Psychiatry, General Surgery, and Obstetrics and Gynecology. These initiatives have strengthened access to healthcare while helping address physician shortages across rural Georgia. Under his leadership, Colquitt Regional has also earned numerous national recognitions for patient safety, quality, workplace culture, and clinical excellence.

“Jim’s vision and leadership have transformed not only our health system, but healthcare throughout our region,” said Hospital Authority Chairman John Griffin. “He has remained committed to ensuring our community has access to advanced healthcare services that are often only found in much larger cities while also investing in the next generation of physicians through graduate medical education. We are proud to see his leadership recognized on a national stage.”

According to Becker’s Hospital Review, the executives included on this year’s list are “community stewards, strategic visionaries and patient advocates” who are expanding access to care, strengthening their organizations, and developing long-term strategies that improve the health of their communities. Leaders are selected through a combination of nominations and independent editorial research.

Matney has previously been recognized as the Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals’ CEO of the Year and received the W. Daniel Barker Leadership Award from the Georgia Hospital Association. He currently serves on the board of the Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals and has played a key role in advancing medical education throughout South Georgia.

For more information about Colquitt Regional Health System, please contact the marketing department at 229-890-3552.