Three Southwest Georgians named to serve on state boards

ATLANTA — Three Southwest Georgia residents, including two from metro Albany, were among 20 Gov. Nathan Deal appointed to various state boards on Friday.

Dr. Steven Kitchen, chief medical officer of Phoebe Putney Health System, was appointed to the Georgia Board for Physician Workforce.

Before becoming Phoebe’s chief medical officer, Kitchen was a practicing obstetrician/gynecologist for 25 years. He is a member of the Dougherty County Medical Society, the Medical Association of Georgia, the South Central Obstetrical and Gynecological Society and a fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Kitchen earned a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Emory University, a master’s degree in Chemistry from Georgia State University and a medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University. He and his wife, Kay, have three children and they live in Albany.

George McIntosh, a builder and developer, was reappointed to a new term on the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority.

McIntosh is a member of the Flint River Basin Committee. He previously sat on the Joint Comprehensive Water Plan Study Committee (2001-04) and the local, state and national boards of directors for the National Association of Home Builders. He was named a life director and “Builder Member of the Year” by the Home Builders Association of Georgia.

McIntosh earned a bachelor’s degree from Valdosta State University. He and his wife, Judy, have two children and live in Lee County.

Dr. Leonard R. LaRussa, a practicing podiatrist, was reappointed to the State Board of Podiatry Examiners.

LaRussa represents Georgia’s podiatrists as the Carrier Advisory Committee Representative to Medicare. He is the president-elect of the Federation of Podiatric Medical Boards and a diplomat for the American Professional Wound Care Association. He is also a former president of the Georgia Podiatric Medical Association.

LaRussa earned a bachelor’s degree from Montgomery College, a medical degree from the New York College of Podiatric Medicine and completed his surgical residency at the University of Pennsylvania. He and his wife, Nikki, have two children and reside in Americus.

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