WHO WE ARE
About Us
At Lab Services of Georgia, we are more than just a toxicology lab—we are a dedicated team of professionals who have worked together for over a decade, united by a common goal: delivering exceptional testing services with care and precision. Our team’s deep experience, spanning 10 years of collaboration, ensures that we operate with efficiency and expertise, but what truly sets us apart is our commitment to fostering a family-like environment.
While our lab operates at the cutting edge of technology and meets the highest industry standards, we pride ourselves on the personalized care and attention we provide to each of our clients. Every sample, every result, and every client interaction is handled with the same level of professionalism and meticulous detail that we would expect for our own loved ones. Our clients aren’t just numbers to us—they’re partners in health, and we’re invested in their success.
What makes us truly unique is the strength of our team. Having worked side by side for many years, we’ve developed a sense of unity and trust that shines through in everything we do. This strong bond allows us to communicate seamlessly, problem-solve together, and provide the kind of reliable service that our clients have come to depend on.
At Lab Services of Georgia, you’re not just choosing a testing lab—you’re choosing a trusted partner with a highly experienced team that operates with both professionalism and a sense of family. We’re here to support you every step of the way, ensuring that you receive accurate, timely results and the personalized care that makes all the difference.
Meet Our Team
Fern Johnson
CEO, Managing Partner
Fern Johnson, Owner of Lab Services of Georgia, is a dynamic leader with over 25 years of experience in accounting, financial management, and laboratory operations. Armed with a B.S. in Business Management from Eckerd College and an MBA in Accounting from Keller Graduate School of Management, Fern has been a driving force in both for-profit and non-profit sectors, excelling in merger transactions, financial restructuring, and strategic growth.
Beyond her business achievements, Fern is the founder and CEO of Career Sisters LLC, a consulting firm empowering women of color. A published author and speaker, she is deeply involved in promoting diversity and inclusion.
Fern lives in Johns Creek, Georgia, with her husband and four children. In her free time, she enjoys reading, traveling, and making a lasting impact on the next generation of leaders.
Andrea Wood
Lab Manager
Andrea Wood has been a dedicated member of our team for the past seven years. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and an associate’s degree as a Medical Laboratory Technician. Andrea brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role, ensuring the highest standards in laboratory practices.
Outside of work, Andrea is an active and passionate coach, leading basketball teams and enjoying a variety of sports, including football, baseball, and softball. In her personal time, she enjoys cooking and spending quality moments with her family. She is married and the proud mother of a 21-month-old son, whose joy and curiosity inspire her every day.
Daniel Hewitt
Director of Business Development
Head of Business Development at Lab Services of Georgia, where he combines his deep technical expertise with a wealth of experience in sales, customer acquisition, and practice management. With a background that includes working for Microsoft, Daniel brings a unique fusion of IT proficiency and strategic business insight to his role. His ability to understand complex technological systems while excelling in customer relations allows him to develop innovative solutions that enhance client experiences and streamline operations.
Daniel’s leadership has been instrumental in driving growth at Lab Services of Georgia. He is known for his dedication to building strong, lasting relationships with clients, ensuring their needs are not only met but consistently exceeded. His commitment to customer service excellence, coupled with his knack for identifying opportunities for business expansion, makes him a pivotal force in the lab’s continued success.
Passionate about the intersection of technology and healthcare, Daniel strives to create an environment where innovation and service come together to deliver unmatched value to clients and patients alike.
Jen Vuthy
Accessioning Supervisor
With over seven years of experience in accessioning and collections management, Jen Vuthy currently serves as the Accession Supervisor at Lab Services of Georgia. In this capacity, she is responsible for overseeing the intake and cataloging of new collections, ensuring that all items are meticulously recorded and preserved. Her attention to detail and commitment to organizational excellence have made her a key figure in maintaining the integrity of the lab’s processes.
Jen’s expertise has been instrumental in implementing best practices in accessioning, optimizing workflows, and promoting cross-departmental collaboration. She is dedicated to upholding principles of accessibility, preservation, and education, continuously working to ensure these values are reflected in the lab’s daily operations. Jen also takes pride in mentoring team members and sharing her knowledge to elevate the collective expertise of her colleagues.
Outside of her professional role, Jen is passionate about her family, friends, and personal development. She actively engages in learning experiences that contribute to her health and well-being and is involved in real estate education within her community.”
Eric Collier
Director of Operations
Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Eric Collier’s diverse upbringing as a military child gave him the unique opportunity to live in various states and countries, fostering a love for travel and exploring new cultures. In his spare time, he enjoys discovering new restaurants and experiencing different culinary scenes throughout the city.
With over 19 years of experience in the clinical laboratory field, Eric is a seasoned laboratory manager and clinical laboratory scientist known for delivering high-quality, efficient testing results that directly aid in patient care. He has extensive experience in laboratory management, having successfully launched four individual labs from the ground up. His expertise spans recruiting and training top-tier teams, establishing comprehensive protocols, and ensuring strict adherence to all regulatory requirements.
Eric’s approach is deeply rooted in process improvement, team development, and a commitment to delivering exceptional customer service. His leadership in laboratory management has consistently driven operational excellence and enhanced patient outcomes.
Educational Background & Certifications
Eric holds a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Sciences from Texas Southern University and has earned multiple certifications, including:
- Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt
- Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Healthcare
- Certified Laboratory Consultant
Eric’s blend of technical expertise, leadership, and dedication to continuous improvement makes him a valuable asset in the clinical laboratory industry
Kelly Whitmire
Director of RCM
With an impressive 24 years of experience in healthcare, including 20 years specializing in healthcare administration, Kelly Whitmire brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our team. She holds a degree in Laboratory and Healthcare Management, showcasing her commitment to advancing healthcare operations and improving patient outcomes. Kelly’s extensive background and leadership skills make her an invaluable asset to our organization.
Joseph G. Hackel, MD
Medical Director
Dr. Joseph G. Hackel serves as the Medical Director at Lab Services of Georgia, where he brings over two decades of expertise in pathology and dermatopathology. He received his medical degree from Mercer University School of Medicine and went on to complete his residency in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Dr. Hackel further honed his skills through a prestigious Dermatopathology fellowship at the Ackerman Academy in New York City. He is double board-certified by the American Board of Pathology and the American Board of Dermatology.
Throughout his career, Dr. Hackel has been committed to providing accurate, timely diagnoses to support optimal patient care. Since joining Bako Pathology Services in 2008, he has played a key role in leading diagnostic efforts, leveraging his deep expertise in skin-related conditions. His passion for pathology, combined with his dedication to improving patient outcomes, makes him a valuable leader in the field.
Phillip E. Miles
Manger
Phillip Miles is an Atlanta native. Phillip graduated from Georgia Institute of Technology and joined the Atlanta office of Arthur Andersen where he became the South East Tax partner in charge of mergers and acquisitions.
During his time at Arthur Andersen Phillip became a Board member of the Bobby Dodd Institute and eventually became Chairman of the Board and in 2014 was provided the Circle
of Excellence Award. Bobby Dodd Institute is an acclaimed and nationally known non-profit that provides pathways to employment for the disabled and disadvantage.
Phillip has always worked in healthcare advisor in different capacities but has been an active owner of healthcare providers over the last 15 years including cancer clinics, urology clinics, revenue cycle management, laboratories, and others.
Over the past 5 years Phillip has worked with Federally Qualified Health Clinics around the state to enable more services to the medically underserved. This work includes the oversight of clinics and development of previously non offered provider groups such as cancer, cardiology, endocrinology, hematology, urology, etc.
Over the past 2 years Phillip has worked with top shelf software developers to bring to the market a first of its kind phone app that serves as a HIPAA compliant medical record storage capability, remote patient monitoring device, and perhaps most importantly a communication device for patients. That entity is www.MyhealthAI.org.
Mr. Miles is a leukemia bone marrow survivor and is dedicated to bring the necessary resources to uplift the care of the medically underserved.
