Purvis has served as CEO of Cook Medical Center in Adel since 2010, providing administrative oversight for all aspects of Cook Medical Center’s operations, including acute care, nursing home, outpatient and support services. He was also actively involved in the construction of Adel’s $48 million replacement facility.
Cook Medical Center is a 60-bed hospital with a 12-bed geriatric psychiatric unit and a 95-bed nursing home, senior living center and two hospital-owned primary care clinics.
In 2012, Cook Medical Center became part of Tift Regional Health System with clinic locations throughout South Central Georgia. Purvis is a member of the Tift Regional Health System Administrative Staff.
Before this position with Cook Medical Center, Purvis served as hospital administrator at Brooks County Hospital in Quitman. He earned a Master’s in public administration and a Bachelor’s in adult and continuing education and teaching from Valdosta State University.
He also holds a radiologic technology diploma from Moultrie Technical College and began his career as a medical imaging technician at Memorial Hospital of Adel. He later served as director of radiology before pursuing a path in hospital administration.
A Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, he is actively involved with many professional associations, including the Georgia rural Health Association, Georgia Hospital Association and the Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals.
“I’m excited to be coming to Metter,” Purvis said. In light of the recent construction project that was completed in Adel, Purvis said, “Now is a good time for me to transition to new opportunities. I love the location of Metter, and I think there is a lot of potential at this hospital. We have great doctors and a great medical team here.”
As a proven health-care leader, Purvis said, “I am passionate about rural hospitals. I have learned a lot about Critical Access Hospitals (like CCH), how they work and what makes them successful, and I want us to work to make this the healthcare center of choice for this area.
“Candler County Hospital is doing great work and I want to improve on the results we are already seeing. I want our focus to be on quality healthcare and on enhancing the patient experiences.”
Bringing his radiologic experience to the table, Purvis said, “I really like to be involved on the front line with the operational folks. I want to learn what the patients are looking for at Candler County Hospital, what they like and what they don’t like. We want to keep this hospital viable and strong well into the future.”
As a member of the Adel City Council, Purvis said he also understands the importance of the hospital in economic development and job creation and credits the local Authority for their work at the hospital.
“This board is engaged and thorough,” he said. “This community should be proud to have a board that cares enough to keep this hospital going.”
“We are very excited to have Michael join us,” said Larry Hadden, chairman of Candler County Hospital Authority. “We had over 50 candidates apply for this position from all over the country, and he remained a strong candidate as we narrowed our search to our top three. But when we conducted our interview, Michael just stood out.
“It seems he has done a really good job in Adel and we have similar expectations for our hospital. He brings a lot of energy to the table and wants to continue what we have started here. We a lot of confidence in his abilities and we look forward to a long tenure with him.”
