Nearly 50-year CoxHealth employee retires

A veteran CoxHealth employee with nearly five decades of experience at the health care system has retired.

Jack Cole, information technology administrative director, worked at CoxHealth for 48 years, according to a news release. His last day was Dec. 16.

"People ask me what has kept me at CoxHealth for so long, and the answer is simple: I knew CoxHealth cared about me, and it wasn’t just a job," Cole said in the release. "Working at a place for almost 50 years, you witness a lot, and time and time again, the organization proved it put its people first.”

Cole, who worked his way up at the health care system from a computer operator, also is mayor of the city of Rogersville. He was reelected this year, according to his mayoral Facebook page.

When Cole started at CoxHealth, the programming department had about eight employees. It's since grown to over 150 employees, according to the release, and Cole is credited with leading the department in saving CoxHealth millions of dollars through efficiencies and solutions.

"I have just been overwhelmed at the kindness people have shared regarding my retirement," he said in the release. "It’s shown me that I’ve made a difference, and that’s been such a gift.”

In retirement, Cole plans to focus on his role as Rogersville's mayor, spend more time with family and volunteering, and work part time with CoxHealth after a break.