Central Georgia Cancer Care (CGCC), a partner practice of American Oncology Network (AON), is proud to announce the promotion of Jessi Easterwood, Pharm.D., to regional director of operations. Easterwood, who has served CGCC since 2020, has been a pivotal leader during the practice’s transition to American Oncology Management Company, LLC and American Oncology Partners, P.A. in April 2024.

In her new role, she will oversee operations for both the Macon and Warner Robins clinics and serve as a liaison and resource for the practice through her work with AON. Her leadership will be instrumental in driving strategic initiatives and supporting day-to-day functions across the region and company network.

This leadership transition comes as longtime CEO Kevin Svoboda prepares for his upcoming retirement. Svoboda has led CGCC with integrity and compassion, and his legacy is reflected in the practice’s growth, modernization, and unwavering commitment to patient-centered care.

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to Kevin for his years of dedicated leadership and unwavering commitment to the mission of Central Georgia Cancer Care—his impact on our team, patients, and community will be felt for years to come,” said Easterwood. “I am honored and humbled to take on this new role and continue building on the strong foundation Kevin helped establish.”

Easterwood brings more than a decade of experience in pharmacy and clinical operations. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) from Mercer University College of Pharmacy and is a member of the Community Oncology Alliance and the American Society of Clinical Oncology, where she began serving on the Steering Group Committee this June. Prior to joining CGCC, she held pharmacy leadership roles with Publix and has since been instrumental in developing CGCC’s quality and pharmacy programs.

As part of the transition, Easterwood will work closely with Svoboda, AON, and the CGCC leadership team to ensure a smooth handoff of responsibilities. This announcement follows the recent opening of CGCC’s new state-of-the-art Macon clinic at 5430 Bowman Road, further underscoring the practice’s commitment to advancing cancer care across Central Georgia.

CGCC is a partner of American Oncology Network, one of the nation’s fastest-growing community-based oncology networks. Through this partnership, American Oncology Network makes additional patient care and services available, such as access to the in-house specialty pharmacy with home delivery of certain medications, clinical trials, and a host of other benefits that empower local practices to deliver high-quality, value-based care in their communities.

“We are proud to support practices like Central Georgia Cancer Care that are deeply committed to putting patients first,” said Todd Schonherz, AON’s chief executive officer. “Kevin has played a crucial role in navigating CGCC through its partnership with AON and has worked tirelessly to ensure a seamless transition—his steady hand and collaborative spirit have made all the difference. We are confident Jessi will continue that tradition of excellence.”

“Jessi’s operational knowledge, clinical background and focus on quality make her an ideal fit for this position,” said Tena Messer, AON’s executive vice president of practice operations. “We are excited to see her continue to elevate care and support for both CGCC locations and the communities they serve.”

Dr. Bradley Sumrall, CGCC’s chief medical officer, also praised the transition. “Kevin has been a steady and compassionate leader for many years, and we are grateful for his service. Jessi has earned the trust of our team through her commitment, competence, and vision, and we are excited for the future under her operational leadership.”