Leadership Team
David B. Isaacks, FACHE | 352-548-6027
Director
David B. Isaacks, FACHE became the sixth Director of the North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System (NF/SGVHS) effective July 18, 2021. NF/SGVHS is one of the nation's leading VA healthcare systems, providing care to over 138,000 Veterans and employing more than 5,800 medical professionals and support staff. Previously, Mr. Isaacks served as Director of the VA Medical Centers in both Kansas City and Columbia, Missouri. He has also served the VA in several additional leadership roles such as Deputy Network Director for both the VA Sunshine Healthcare Network in St. Petersburg, Florida and the VA Heartland Network in Kansas City, Missouri. Mr. Isaacks received a bachelor's degree in business administration and management from Southern Illinois University and a master's degree in organizational management from the University of Phoenix. He is a VHA Certified Mentor and a board-certified Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE). Mr. Isaacks is a proud Veteran of the United States Marine Corps.
Wende Dottor | 352-548-6012
Deputy Director
Ms. Dottor is the Deputy Director for the North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System. Primary responsibilities for this role include providing overall leadership and direction for resource management, facilities/environmental management, and program management functions. Prior to this appointment, Ms. Dottor served as Chief of Performance Improvement Service. She also previously served as Revenue Coordinator and Chief Financial Officer (CFO). In her previous role as CFO, she developed and executed an annual budget of over $900 million, and secured funding for multiple projects, including two new large specialty outpatient clinics and a 208 operating bed tower. During her time as Revenue Coordinator and Assistant Chief of the Business Office/Finance, she led interdisciplinary teams in building processes and using technology to build a highly successful revenue program, increasing collections from $8 million to $72 million prior to the transition to the Consolidated Patient Account Center. Ms. Dottor earned a Bachelor of Arts with a major in economics from The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC and a Masters in Health Administration from Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Chad Adams | 386-755-3016 Ext. 392000
Associate Director (Lake City)
Chad Adams is the Associate Director for the Lake City VA Medical Center. Mr. Adams is responsible for the Lake City VAMC operations and management support to the entire health system that provides care to over 140,000 Veterans a year. Mr. Adams received his Master of Science degree in Health Services Administration from Florida Gulf Coast University and has over 25 years working with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Mr. Adams is a graduate of the Health Care Leadership Development Program, Graduate Healthcare Administration Training Program and Competency Development for Leaders of the 21st Century. He is a VHA certified mentor at the fellow level, a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, and has earned the distinction of board certification in healthcare management as a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Josh Pridgen | 904-475-5886
Associate Director (Primary Care and Outpatient Clinics)
Josh Pridgen is the Associate Director for Primary Care and Outpatient Clinics for the North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System. Pridgen comes to the NF/SGVHS from the VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System, serving as Associate Director since January 2018. Pridgen has fulfilled many leadership roles to include Acting Director for VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Associate Director, Assistant Director and Chief of the Business Office for VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System. Pridgen has also previously worked at the Orlando VA Health Care System where he started his VA career in 2008 as part of the VHA Technical Career Field Program within the Chief Business Office. Pridgen earned a Bachelor of Science from Valdosta State University and a Master of Science in Health Services Administration from the University of Central Florida.
Ilona Schmalfuss, M.D. | 352-548-6000 Ext. 106018
Chief of Staff
Ilona M. Schmalfuss, M.D., is the Chief of Staff for the North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, providing oversight for all healthcare services provided to Veteran patients in both hospitals and eleven outpatient clinics throughout northern Florida and southern Georgia. Dr. Schmalfuss is Board Certified in Diagnostic Radiology and Neuroradiology. She is also a Professor of Neuroradiology with the University of Florida College of Medicine.
Jennifer Gerrib, LCSW, BCD, CCTP, VHA-CM
Assistant Director
Jennifer Gerrib is originally from Westville, IL and has a Bachelor of Arts degree (1992) in Psychology from Illinois College in Jacksonville, IL, and a Master of Social Work degree (2006) from the University of Illinois in Urbana/Champaign. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Black Belt in LEAN System Redesign, a Veterans Health Administration Certified Mentor at the Fellowship Level, and a 2015 HCLDP graduate. Ms. Gerrib will oversee Environmental Management Service, Veterans Experience Office, Police, Privacy, and Prosthetics and Sensory Aid at the North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System.
Tenna Liston, MSN, RN | 352-548-6000 Ext. 106050
Acting Associate Director of Patient Care Services
As Acting Associate Director, Patient Care Services (ADPCS), Ms. Liston is responsible for ensuring the effectiveness of the largest number of professional employees in North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System. With over 1,400 employees, nurses are responsible for a large portion of our health care delivery and contribute greatly to the quality of care that is provided. In addition to being direct patient care providers, nursing staff are involved in education, research, patient safety, and facility accreditation.
