By CHARLES MINSHEW

charles.minshew@gaflnews.com

CORDELE — After 15 years of working in the banking industry, Trina Barber decided in April 2007 that it was time for a change of scenery.

She wanted to go to a place where every decision was made locally. Barber found herself at Crisp Regional Hospital (CRH) soon after.

Before banking and her work at the hospital, Barber earned her Associate’s degree in business administration from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton.

When not working at the hospital, Barber may be spending time with her husband of 12 years, Donnie, and her nine-year-old daughter Madison. She is also a member of the Cordele Rotary Club.

Barber wears at least four different hats at CRH. Her daily work can be divided among community relations and marketing, volunteer services, the CRH Development Foundation and physician recruitment.

“It’s not the same job every day,” Barber said.

Most of Barber’s responsibilities fall under the department of community relations and marketing. She makes sure the public is aware of happenings at the hospital.

Sometimes she gives student or media tours of the hospital. Construction on the new ICU unit is of particular interest right now, she said.

Barber also helps coordinate community and company health fairs at various times throughout the year.

All media contact goes through Barber, including updates on patient conditions for the newspaper. She often writes press releases that are distributed to media outlets.

Barber said, “Coming into the hospital and realizing what the hospital does for the community has been eye-opening for me.”

As director of volunteer services, Barber keeps hospital volunteers such as the familiar “pink ladies” and “redcoats” updated about daily activities inside the hospital.