DeeDee Gaines Named St. Mary's Director of Marketing
June 29, 2021
DeeDee Gaines, a resident of Bishop and an active member of several Oconee County organizations, has been named director of marketing and communications for St. Mary's Health Care System.
Gaines brings an extensive background in health promotion, physician relations and progressive leadership to her new role. She joined St. Mary's as a physician office liaison in 2010 and became manager of physician relations in 2012. In July 2020, she assumed front-line responsibility for patient experience and in September 2020 was named senior manager of marketing and communications following the retirement of Marketing and Public Relations Director Avery McLean.
With her promotion to director, Gaines’ physician relations responsibilities will transition to Brittainy Horne, Vice President, Strategy and Ambulatory Services. Gaines reports to Montez Carter, St. Mary's President and CEO, and Michele Szczypka, Trinity Health Vice President, Marketing and Communications.
"In her 11 years with St. Mary's, DeeDee has demonstrated outstanding dedication to our Mission and Core Values and to our providers, colleagues, patients and community," Carter said. "Her energy is boundless, her positive attitude is inspiring, and she approaches every person and situation with reverence and compassion. She is an exemplary leader and I am proud to have her on our team in this new role."
Gaines is married to Dr. David Gaines, a physician with Georgia Family Medicine in Watkinsville, and has two sons. She and her family came to our area from Manning, S.C., where she served in a variety of wellness and leadership roles with Clarendon Health System. Before joining St. Mary’s, DeeDee served as wellness coordinator for the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government and then as co-deputy executive director of the Athens Community Council on Aging.
In addition to her work at St. Mary’s, Gaines is public relations chair for the Oconee County Rotary Club and a former board member of the Oconee County Chamber of Commerce and the Oconee County Recreational Advisory Council. She loves practicing and teaching yoga, playing with her family's two dogs, and taking trips to the beach.