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The HOPE Project Board Names Mike Belgard as CEO; gears up for exciting changes in 2015

(Tenaha - Texas) The Board of Directors of The HOPE Project has voted to accept Mike Belgard's application as CEO after a special session held Tuesday July 21, 2015. Interim CEO Brandii Polley stepped down from her position July 22, 2015 and Belgard assumed his position immediately thereafter. 
 
The Board appointed Mike Belgard as Chief Executive Officer after a search period. Mr. Belgard, who is a pillar in Shelby County's health services and community, has been a valued HOPE employee since 2013 and currently serves as Chief Medical Officer as well as the clinic's physician assistant. 

"I am very excited about it," said Belgard when asked about his new position. "I look forward to taking on this challenge and plan on making HOPE more about the ministry from this point forward. Helping others not only with their physical needs but their emotional and spiritual needs, that is the goal. I look forward to seeing that goal realized."
 
When asked about the board's decision to hire Mr. Belgard, Ms. Kyndal Banks, Hope Project Director of Public Relations says it was a no-brainer. "This was an easy decision for them; after some deliberation, the Board felt that hiring Mike was the best thing for HOPE and its patients. He knows our community very well. We look forward to the exciting changes Mike will bring with HOPE's support behind him.  He is already making some very beneficial changes," said Ms. Banks
 
"We have had several hard-working founders that put in a lot of time and effort into making HOPE the dependable health resource center that it is; choosing a new CEO was not taken lightly. Health Opportunities for the People of East Texas has done many great things for our community and now with Mike as CEO, the Board and staff are confident that the organization has the leadership and support it needs to continue to provide the services our community deserves. We are confident that with this change, in addition to other personnel changes, HOPE's greatest days are ahead. Our future is bright," she added. 
 
The Board and new CEO are working to identify candidates for a variety of other essential positions that will allow the organization to move forward confidently. As decisions are made, updates will be provided to HOPE donors. Job postings can be found on their website, www.thehopeprojecttexas.org
 
"We provide a vital service to our community. With the backing of our supporters, our goal is to not only continue to function as an organization, but to grow so that we can provide better services to more areas," said Ms. Banks. 
 
"At our core, we are just trying to provide health care options and services to the people that need it. But the Board wants more for HOPE as an organization. Why settle? If given the opportunity, why not rise to the occasion to be the best version of ourselves so we can extend that to our patients? We believe Mike can provide that. This new chapter for the Hope Project will be the best one yet. We are excited about moving closer towards our goal of being the leading Health Care center in East Texas."
 
Ms. Banks said there will be no interruption in Wellness Center and Dental operations. For more information, please call 936.248.4648


About The Hope Project 

The Hope Project is a non-profit faith initiative established in 2003 by the Episcopal Church, with the primary mission of providing quality health care to the people of East Texas, regardless of race, religion, socio-economic status or ability to pay. 

Since its inception in 2003, the HOPE project has provided cost-effective health care services to over 5,000 patients. HOPE currently has over 20 employees and more than half of the clinic staff is bilingual. We offer shuttle services for our patients; have established patient appreciations programs, and our actively seeking out new ways to continue to improve at our clinic and in our community. Through determination, hard work, and a deep love for ALL East Texans, the HOPE Project celebrates its 10-year anniversary in 2013. We are honored to have served East Texas for the past 10 years and plan to continue to provide quality health care to East Texans in need.

For more information, please visit www.thehopeprojecttexas.org

 

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