Roland J. Gardner
Chief Executive Officer

Mr. Gardner is responsible to the Board of Directors for the overall operation of the corporation, including patient care, financial management, personnel management, facilities, strategic planning, and public relations.

Prior to joining BJHCHS in 1980, Mr. Gardner was the Director of Beaufort County Department of Social Services. Mr. Gardner was responsible for the administration of all social services programs at the county level, maintaining a rapport with county delegates, preparation of the budget for federal and state funding, and meeting with the State and District Offices of the Department of Social Services in regards to financial matters, program policies, and administrative requirements.

Before joining the Beaufort County Department of Social Services, Mr. Gardner was the Director of Mental Health and Social Services at Beaufort-Jasper Comprehensive Health Services, Inc. where he counseled individuals, provided educational and vocational guidance services. He also compiled and studied occupational, educational, and socio-economic information to aid patients in carrying out vocational and educational objectives.

Mr. Gardner has maintained an extensive professional training background by attending management training seminar at the University of North Carolina/Chapel Hill School of Public Health, "Management Training for Health Administrators" from 1974-1976, the University of Alabama Specialized Management Training for "Health and Human Services Administrators" in 1979, and Harvard University's Executive Development Program "Leadership and Organizational Change, " in 1990. Mr. Gardner also attained a Master of Science Degree in Psychology from Howard University in 1972, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from North Carolina A & T State University.

Mr. Gardner is a member and chair of the South Carolina Primary Care Association. He is also a member of the National Association of Community Health Centers, Health Science Foundation at the Medical University of South Carolina, Treasurer of the Managed Care Assistance Corporation of the National Association of Community Health Centers, and the recipient of the 1996 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award for Health Care.
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Kenneth P. O'Neil
Chief Financial Officer

Mr. O'Neil reports directly to the Executive Director. Mr. O' Neil is responsible for the overall financial fitness of the organization; specifically, the design, implementation, and maintenance of all accounting systems, optimal management of cash resources, implementation of internal controls, review of corporate tax returns, oversight of the organization's pension program, the preparation of all Medicare and Medicaid Cost Reports, as well as analyzing and negotiating all managed care contracts with regard to the organization.

Prior to coming to BJHCHS in 1996, Mr. O'Neil served as chief financial officer for Central Florida Health Care, Inc. where he served in the same capacity as he presently does for Beaufort-Jasper-Hampton Comprehensive Health Services, Inc.

Before joining Central Florida Health Care, Inc., Mr. O'Neil held the position of Controller for Feed & Seed Center, Inc. a 75 Million Dollar Multi-State Wholesale Distributor in Jacksonville, FL. Prior to joining Feed & Seed Center, Inc. Mr. O'Neil spent seven years with the Charter Company, a Fortune 500 International Holding Company in Jacksonville, FL where he held the positions of Director of Tax, Manager of IRS Audit and Tax Exams, Tax Analyst, and Staff Internal Auditor.

Mr. O'Neil is a licensed Certified Public Accountant. He received his Master of Accountancy, Taxation Degree from the University of North Florida in 1992, his Bachelor of Business Arts in Accounting from the University of North Florida in 1981, and his Associate of Arts degree from Florida Junior College in 1979.
In addition to his everyday duties Mr. O'Neil provides technical support in regards to managed care and financial issues concerning the Bureau of Primary Health Care, the South Carolina Primary Care Association, and various community health centers across the state of South Carolina. Mr. O'Neil also served as a consultant on Florida's initiative to form a Health Maintenance Organization, chairperson of the Florida Association of Community Health Centers/HMO's Technical Committee, and he was the recipient of the 1997 South Carolina Primary Health Care Association Contribution Award.
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LaFrance Ferguson, M.D.
Chief Medical Officer

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Brandon Gaffney
Chief Operating Officer
Mr. Gaffney functions as the agency’s Deputy Executive Director and member of senior management. Mr. Gaffney reports directly to the Executive Director and is responsible for human resources, implementing EMR (electronic medical record), facilities, assisting in directing day-to-day operations, recruitment and organizational development.

Prior to working for BJHCHS, Inc. Mr. Gaffney worked in the banking industry, and most recently was the administrator for the Georgia Radiation Therapy Center (GRTC) at the Medical College of Georgia/MCG Health Inc. While at the GRTC Mr. Gaffney was responsible for 30 employees, $5 million in radiation oncology equipment and an overall operating budget of $2.3 million.

Mr. Gaffney received his undergraduate degree from Morehouse College and a graduate degree in Health Administration from the Medical University of South Carolina.
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Julia Williams
Chief Nursing Officer
Julia Williams functions as the agency's Director of Clinical Nursing Services and a member of senior management. She is responsible for all nursing staff, ensuring agency compliance with all Ryan White, OSHA, HIPAA, and JCAHO standards, as well as directing all BJHCHS, Inc. Quality Assurance, Environment of Care and Infection Control issues and standards.

Prior to working for BJHCHS, Inc., she worked for a diverse group of organizations that include an academic medical center, Catholic Church based facilities, a community hospital, a mental health facility and community health. She has worked in the capacity of a private duty nurse, nurse recruiter, nurse coordinator, nurse manager, case manager and director of nursing. She has well over 20 yeras experience in the nursing field. This invaluable experience and dedication has helped to propel BJHCHS, Inc. into one of this country's most respected and admired CHC's (Community Health Centers).

She received her BSN from Wagner College as well as being a certified case manager for over 10 years.
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