Leadership Team
Denise M. Wayne
CEO
Denise M. Wayne, CEO, is a seasoned LTACH CEO. She has worked in various positions in the LTACH arena since 1990. She began her career in Michigan on the clinical side as an RT, moved into the financial arena, and then the quality risk arena, with a final destination as CEO for the past 12 years.
Denise moved to Savannah, GA, in November 2022 to join the Landmark Hospital of Savannah team as CEO. She is passionate about mentoring employees to repay all the great mentors she had during her career. She is also passionate about her patients and their physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. She enjoys holding fun events to show her employees they are appreciated for their hard work and dedication.
When Denise is not at work with her team, she enjoys golfing with her husband of 38 years and her puppies. She also dabbles in baking and decorating sugar cookies.
George Laemmerhirt, MD
Medical Director
Dr. H. Georg Lämmerhirt was born and raised in Germany, where he attended the medical school of the Westfälische Wilhelms Univesität in Münster. He moved to Savannah, GA, in 2000, where he later received his internal medicine training in the Memorial University Medical Center residency program, focusing on inpatient and critical care medicine. After he finished his training, he moved to Denver, CO. While working as an internal medicine hospitalist at Lutheran Medical Center in Wheat Ridge, CO, he also worked as a hospitalist at Colorado Acute Local Long-term Acute Care Hospital in Denver. He returned to Georgia in 2012 and took a position as an internal medicine hospitalist at Tift Regional Medical Center in Tifton, GA, before returning to his wife's hometown of Savannah in 2015 to start a position as the lead hospitalist at Landmark LTAC hospital of Savannah. Dr. Laemmerhirt subsequently became the medical director of the facility.
Chessica Butler
Chief Clinical Officer
As the Chief Clinical Officer for Landmark Hospital of Savannah, Chessica oversees daily clinical operations and provides direct management and supervision of all clinical departments within the hospital. Applying 15+ years of direct patient care and leadership experience, Chessica strives to prioritize developing, implementing, and monitoring clinical standards to foster superior quality patient care.
Chessica is a magna cum laude graduate from Georgia Southern University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. After working several years as a Registered Nurse in the ICU, Chessica became a PRN staff nurse for Landmark just weeks after opening in 2015. She later transitioned to a full-time Nurse Supervisor and then to the Chief Clinical Officer.
For the past 5 years, the position of CCO has allowed Chessica to impact patients' lives every day positively. She enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband and two children in her free time.
David Newton
Facilities Director Chief Information Officer
David has over 26 years of experience in healthcare, specializing in project management, program implementation, employee training, and regulatory compliance, including OSHA, TJC, and Environment of Care standards. Since joining the organization in September 2014, he has served as Facility Manager, Safety Officer, and Materials Manager at the Savannah, Georgia location.
Before this role, David held leadership positions at Ramsey Healthcare, Psychiatric Solutions, Georgia Regional Hospital, and Universal Health Services. As Regional Director of Support Services, he oversaw multiple facilities across South Carolina and North Carolina. He has also served as a Facilities Manager, Safety Officer, and Lead Clinical Service Worker for adolescent group homes. His expertise includes preparing facilities for accreditation surveys and consulting on psychiatric unit openings.
With a strong background in startup operations, facility management, and strategic oversight, David has played a key role in ensuring hospital safety, security, and compliance while managing major capital projects. At Landmark Hospital, he focuses on materials management, facilities management, and accreditation readiness, maintaining a safe and cost-effective care environment.
A native of Charleston, South Carolina, David holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina and has earned certifications in emergency management, materials management, and safety from the Joint Commission and other organizations.
Lindsey Snell
Director of Human Resources
Lindsey began her career at Landmark Hospital of Savannah as an HR Administrative Assistant in April 2021. She was promoted to HR Manager the same year and now serves as Savannah’s HR Director. Lindsey holds a Master’s degree in Psychology and has over a decade of administrative experience, with six years dedicated to HR. Lindsey’s favorite aspect of working in HR is the opportunity to connect with people, improve their working lives, and help them thrive. Outside of work, you can find Lindsey enjoying family time with her amazing husband and two adorable furry companions.
Amy Powell
Director of Business Development
Amy Powell is the Director of business development at Landmark Hospital, where she has made significant strides in fostering strategic growth initiatives. Amy’s journey at Landmark began in 2016 as a nurse, where she demonstrated her commitment to patient care and building a solid foundation in healthcare operations. In 2019, recognizing her exceptional communication and networking skills, Amy transitioned into a liaison role, where she excelled in cultivating and maintaining crucial relationships within the healthcare community. Building on her successes, Amy has spent the past 2 years as the director of business development. She leverages her multifaceted experience to drive business expansion and forge innovative partnerships for Landmark Hospitals. Her dedication and diverse skill set continue to be instrumental in advancing Landmark’s mission of providing high-quality patient care and strategic growth.