ACHE of Georgia’s Healthcare Leadership Podcast

From Pediatric ER Physician to Executive Suite: Navigating Healthcare Leadership w/ Dr Debi Dalton

In this inspiring podcast episode, Dr. Debi Dalton’s journey serves as a powerful testament to the impact of an open mind and a servant’s heart. From navigating demanding ER shifts to leading in high-level boardrooms, Dr. Dalton reveals how embracing every challenge as an opportunity to learn, grow, and serve others shaped both her career and her impact. With authenticity and insight, she encourages emerging leaders to step beyond their comfort zones, lead with intention, and recognize the influence they can have often without even realizing it. As Dr. Dalton reminds us: “Don’t be afraid to throw yourself out there; you might just make an impact on someone else without even realizing it.” Join the conversation, and share your thoughts! We’d love to hear from you! Dr. Yanick Hicks [https://www.linkedin.com/in/yanickhicks/] is your host and moderator. BBio Despina ("Debi") Dalton, MD, MBA, CPE, RPh, FAAP, FACHE Dr. Debi Dalton is the Chief Medical Officer for Wellstar Paulding Medical Center. Previously, she served as the CMO for Wellstar Douglas Medical Center for 10 years. Dr. Dalton is Board Certified in Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. In the past, she has served in multiple leadership roles within the Wellstar Health system including President of the Medical Staff at Cobb Hospital, and Medical Director of both Cobb and Paulding's Emergency Departments. She has a Pharmacy Degree from Schwartz College of Pharmacy and a Healthcare Executive MBA from George Washington University.   Dr. Dalton is the Immediate Past President for the Medical Association of Georgia (2024-2025) after having served in various officer roles prior to her year as President. She is also a Past President of the Greater Cobb County Medical Society (2014). She also is a current Member and Past Chair (2021) of the Georgia Composite Medical Board. She is an FACHE and a member of the ACHE-Physician Executive Committee.

Dr. Kathryn K. Cheek on Physician Professionalism, Wellness, and Community in Modern Medicine

In this episode, Dr. Kathryn K. Cheek, a Retired Pediatrician and Chair of the Georgia Composite Medical Board, shares insights from her leadership in medicine. She discusses how serving on the board shaped her perspective on professionalism, patient safety, and physician accountability. Dr. Cheek highlights her passion for mentoring residents and helping future doctors avoid common pitfalls. She also explores the importance of physician wellness through her work with WELL4PEDS, a program rebuilding community among pediatricians. Emphasizing relationships with patients and peers, she reflects on how connection, reflection, and self-care are essential to sustaining compassionate, high-quality medical practice today. Join the conversation, and share your thoughts! We’d love to hear from you! Dr. Yanick Hicks is your host and moderator.

License. Regulate. Educate.: Protecting Public Health with Jason S. Jones

In this episode, Dr. Yanick Hicks leads a powerful and insightful conversation with Jason S. Jones, MPSA, Executive Director of the Georgia Composite Medical Board. Together, they explore how the Board protects public health through medical licensing, regulatory oversight, and the investigation of complaints. Centered on the mantra “License. Regulate. Educate.”, the discussion highlights the vital role of strong leadership, accountability, and governance in maintaining high standards of care and public trust across Georgia’s healthcare system.

The Sterling Standard: Leadership that Drives Results with Dione Geiger

In this insightful episode, host Dr. Yanick Hicks [https://www.linkedin.com/in/yanickhicks/] sits down with Dione Geiger [https://s3.amazonaws.com/acheog/wp-media-folder-ache-of-georgia/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Dione-Geiger-Bio-v3-02-11-26.pdf], President of The Sterling Council, to explore how effective leadership drives organizational excellence. Dione breaks down the Council’s mission to champion quality leadership and performance improvement across healthcare organizations through proven frameworks like the Malcolm Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence. Listeners will learn how the Sterling Council supports leaders in driving innovation, measurable results, and a culture of continuous improvement — shaping high-performing organizations throughout the state.