Joel Wernick, president and CEO of Phoebe Putney Health System, will deliver the keynote address at Darton State College’s 2015 spring commencement on Thursday, May 7, 2015.

Wernick has served as President and CEO of Phoebe Putney Health System for more than 26 years. Through his stewardship, Phoebe Putney has thrived – making it the region’s largest employer, comprised of five hospitals and numerous clinics. He has been recognized for eight consecutive years by Georgia Trend magazine for his significant contributions and has been named one of the state’s top 25 leaders.

Wernick received his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Arkansas, and a master’s degree in hospital administration from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives; and is on the board of VHA-Georgia, the Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals and a former board member of VHA, Inc.  Additionally, Wernick is actively involved in many local civic and economic development initiatives. He chairs the Southwest Georgia Alliance for Progress, a regional coalition to strengthen economic, educational and cultural infrastructures that support the Marine Corp Logistics Base of Albany. He has also served as a member of the Georgia Southwestern MBA faculty.  He has been a Rotarian since 1982, and is a Paul Harris Fellow.

More than 300 students will graduate from Darton with a bachelor’s or an associate’s degree, or a certificate. The spring commencement ceremony begins at 7 p.m. in the Cavalier Arena. The Health Sciences Division will hold its pinning ceremony at 3 p.m., followed by the nurse pinning ceremony at 4:30 p.m.