Navicent Health Foundation (NHF) announced today the retirement of President and CEO, Ellen Johnson, CFRE. Johnson will retire at the end of 2023, bringing to a close a remarkable career of 42 years of service to Atrium Health Navicent; 19 years with the Navicent Health Foundation, and serving as President for the last eight. 

“Our trustees are delighted for Ellen but will greatly miss the dedication and leadership that has benefitted the local healthcare community, Atrium Health Navicent and most importantly Navicent Health Foundation during her tenure,” said Navicent Health Foundation Board Chair, Dr. Fred Gaton. 

During Johnson’s tenure at Navicent Health Foundation, she led fundraising campaigns for several capital projects, including a $5 million campaign to construct Pine Pointe Hospice, a 15-bed inpatient hospice facility, a $ 1.5 million campaign to build Atrium Health Navicent Peach, which replaced the Peach County Hospital in 2013, and a $21 million campaign to renovate and expand the Beverly Knight Olson Children’s Hospital which opened in 2019. Johnson also successfully led the Navicent Health Foundation through the Covid-19 pandemic quickly securing nearly $500,000.00 in funding for much needed medical and testing equipment and PPE. Additionally, under Johnson’s leadership, the Navicent Health Foundation has made more than $61 million in grants to Atrium Health Navicent and community organizations. 

"It has been my great honor and privilege to serve as the president of the Navicent Health Foundation. To work alongside such dedicated volunteers, board members and staff has been an incredible journey. I am proud of the organization we are today and the impact we’ve had since our inception 50 years ago. Together, with thousands of outstanding individuals, groups, and community partners, we have improved the health of our community.” 

The Navicent Health Board of Directors has selected Macey Terrell, MPA, CFRM as Johnson’s successor. Terrell joined NHF in 2021, serving most recently as Vice President. Prior to joining NHF, Terrell was Chief Philanthropy Officer at River Edge Foundation helping lead the completion of a $14 million campaign to build River Edge Recovery Center. Terrell obtained her Master’s in Public Administration with a focus in Nonprofit Management degree from Georgia Southern University. She received her Certificate in Fundraising Management (CFRM) from the Lily Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. She completed the Executive Leadership certification program through the Association of Healthcare Philanthropy at the University of Wisconsin Madison School of Business. Terrell is also a graduate of Leadership Macon. 

“We are very excited and fortunate to have someone within our organization who has the credentials and healthcare philanthropy experience to lead our Foundation,” said Dr. Gaton. “We look forward to Macey continuing the leadership and growing Navicent Health Foundation’s philanthropic impact to improve healthcare in central Georgia.” 

Terrell will assume the role of President January 1, 2024.