JOMEL WHITTINGTON, MHA, FACHE, NAMED CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF AVALA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 14, 2026
Media Inquiries: Brooke Russell | 985.801.6212 | info@avala.com
Covington, Louisiana—AVALA is pleased to announce the appointment of Jomel Whittington, MHA, FACHE, as Chief Executive Officer following the retirement of longtime CEO, William “Bill” Hankins, FACHE. Whittington previously served as President of the AVALA Physician Network, where he played a key role in expanding access to specialized healthcare services across Southeast Louisiana.
Prior to joining AVALA, Whittington served as Director of Operations at DISC of Louisiana, where he contributed to the operational development of the spine surgery clinic. During his tenure, the provider team grew from two to five physicians as the organization strengthened its operational efficiency and reputation management.
As President of the AVALA Physician Network, Whittington continued to advance growth across the organization. Under his leadership, the network expanded its scope of services to include primary care, orthopedics, neurology, pain management, and neurosurgery.
“Jomel has consistently demonstrated the strategic leadership and decisiveness to move an organization forward,” said Bill Hankins, former AVALA CEO. “He recognizes opportunities, drives meaningful change, and remains focused on what is best for our organization. He is exceptionally well suited to lead AVALA, and I am confident the organization will continue to grow under his direction.”
Whittington’s focus on patient-centered growth strategies and direct patient outreach has contributed to the continued development of the AVALA network and its relationships with regional physicians.
“Jomel has a unique ability to balance strategic growth with a firm focus on the patient experience,” said K. Samer Shamieh, MD, AVALA Chief Medical Officer. “After working alongside him for more than a decade, I have seen the impact of his leadership and his commitment to building a stronger healthcare network. His vision for AVALA’s future is ambitious and centered on creating lasting value for our patients, physicians, and our team.”
As CEO, Jomel Whittington will lead AVALA into its next chapter, building upon the organization’s strong foundation while continuing to advance its network of healthcare services. With a focus on strategic growth and operational excellence, Whittington will guide AVALA’s continued development and strengthen the trust our patients and physicians have in AVALA.
