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Interim CEO leaves mark at FMC
Terri Spence has served the Franklin Parish community in some capacity for more than 33 years.
Though she retired from the state of Louisiana just over two years ago, she has been working at Franklin Medical Center under part of a grant program to provide mental health clinical services to Franklin and Tensas Parishes.
Funding for the program ran out in April, but Spence said she originally planned to continue working in the clinic.
"My plans were to stay and continue with the program as long as the hospital could support it," said Spence. "They were willing to do that, to support the program, because it is vital to this community."
But the hospital's board of commissioners had a different idea.
In June, the hospital's CEO resigned, leaving the facility without a chief administrator.
Board president Paul Price Jr. had the solution.
"We called Terri and asked her to serve," said Price. "We asked her to step in and do a job and what a great job she's done."
A Winnsboro native, Spence is a licensed clinical social worker, or LCSW, with a background in criminal justice and social work.
She has also supervised numerous employees in her capacity as a regional coordinator for the Dept. of Social Services Office of Child Protection.
Combined with her experience at the clinic, Price said Spence was ideal to help bridge the gap.
"She knows how to talk to people and that worked out great," Price said.
Spence filled the administrator roll, overseeing daily operations at the hospital until last week, when the board promoted compliance officer Blake Kramer to CEO.
Kramer was full of praise for Spence.
"I've known Ms. Terri literally my whole life," said Kramer. "She has always been one of the nicest and most pleasant people I've ever been around."
Kramer said Spence's ease of communication and approachability helped steady the waters during what could have been a difficult transition time.
For Spence, it was just another day at work.
"I've been trying to retire since I retired," she said with a laugh.
During her career, Spence has worked in juvenile probation and parole, overseen child protective services and even as a counselor.
The diversity of experience on Spence's résumé is hard to understate. From a stint in Welfare and Food Stamps to her role at Franklin Medical Center, Spence has steadily worked to lend a helping hand.
A graduate of the University of Louisiana-Monroe and Louisiana State University, Spence holds diplomas in Criminal Justice and Social Work.
Also, she is a board approved certified supervisor, which means she can oversee clinical social workers who are seeking their license.
Though her future role at the hospital has yet to be determined, Price said Spence won't be seeing retirement anytime soon.
"She'll have a role at the hospital on a part-time basis," Price said. "We're not going to let her retire anytime soon." |
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