Springs Memorial Hospital Announces New CEO

Lancaster, SC - Springs Memorial Hospital is proud to announce that Janice C. Dabney, FACHE, has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer. Dabney has been serving in the role of Assistant Chief Executive Officer at SMH since 1983.

Having been an employee of Springs Memorial Hospital since 1966, Dabney brings a wide breadth of experience and passion to her new role. She has served in the capacity of interim CEO at several other healthcare facilities, including serving several stints as interim CEO of Springs Memorial Hospital.

“On behalf of the board of directors of Springs Memorial Hospital, we are elated that Janice has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of SMH,” said John Story, MD, Board Chairman. ”Mrs. Dabney is qualified for this leadership role and has prepared for it for more than four and a half decades by learning and doing almost every non-medical support and administrative job at our hospital. Personally and professionally I am confident that Lancaster will benefit beyond measure by having Mrs. Dabney at the helm of our hospital.”

Dabney’s first job at the hospital was a nursing assistant and registration clerk in the Emergency Room. After those roles, she worked in the warehouse as a supply clerk and eventually worked in the roles of secretary, executive secretary, Director of Administrative Services, Assistant Vice President, Vice President and Assistant CEO.

Dabney, a graduate of The University of South Carolina – Lancaster, credits a lot of her experience and knowledge of healthcare to a past CEO of the hospital, whom she worked with for more than 25 years, Dace W. Jones, Jr. “Mr. Jones gave me a chance when he didn’t have to. I absolutely would not be where I am today had he not placed his confidence in me and mentored me during those early years.”

Jones had this to say about Dabney when she celebrated 25 years of service to SMH in the early 1990s: “Having worked with Janice for more than 27 years, she is one of the most dynamic, thoughtful, charitable, conscientious, reliable, selfless, insightful, logical, good humored, supportive, energetic, enthusiastic and disciplined people I have ever known.” When Jones, who now lives in Mt Pleasant, SC, learned of Dabney’s new role, he stated that he felt as if this was happening to him and could not possibly be more proud.

Karen Martin, Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) of Springs Memorial Hospital, has known and worked with Dabney for more than 35 years.

“Janice Dabney is one of the most loyal people that I have ever met in my life,” said Martin. “She is devoted to her family, this town, our local government, the Lancaster County School District and without question, Springs Memorial Hospital. Her name is synonymous with Springs Memorial. I have always been honored to work with her; valued her opinions, and have complete faith that she will lead this organization to the highest level we have ever been. I am extremely happy to have her as my new CEO.”

Dabney’s Ties to SMH

Dabney stated that Springs Memorial is without question a tremendous part of who she is. She was born in Marion Sims Hospital and her father, James Caskey, was the Business Office Manager during her grammar school years. Dabney stated that she has always felt destined to be a part of this organization and she feels that SMH is a place of opportunities.

“Having had nine different jobs at the hospital, I can truly say I have enjoyed every job I have ever had here,” she said. “However, my roles in the more recent years hold a deeper meaning to me because I have had a direct impact on key issues that continually make this a better place for all of us in our community. I have never lost sight of where I came from within the organization and how important it is to support and encourage those on the front line. I am honored to work with an outstanding and high caliber medical staff, our dedicated employees and a board of directors who truly care about our hospital and the healthcare that is provided in our community. I believe that we all will continue to work together to continue to provide Lancaster and surrounding areas with the quality healthcare our community truly deserves.”

Dabney is married to Tommy Dabney, who is a retired Vice President of Operations at Comporium Communications. They have two children, Alex Dabney (Lynn) who is the Principal at Andrew High School in Kershaw and Pamela Trimnal (Brian) who is the Director of Marketing with Comporium Communications. Janice is the proud grandmother of 5 grandchildren, Allie and Tad Dabney; and Tyler, Dabney and Alexandra Trimnal.