Kathleen Deloach Benton, DrPH, MA

Kathleen Deloach Benton serves as President and CEO of Georgia Care Innovators, providing visionary leadership across its family of community-based nonprofit organizations. Since joining Hospice Savannah in 2019, she has guided the development of innovative services and collaborative partnerships designed to address unmet community needs, improve the experience of serious illness and aging, and help change the way people experience healthcare across Georgia.

A medical ethicist and public health leader, Kathleen holds a Doctor of Public Health in Public Health Leadership from Georgia Southern University, a master’s degree in bioethics from Case Western Reserve University, and a bachelor’s degree from Furman University. Before becoming CEO, she served as a patient advocate and Director of Clinical Ethics at St. Joseph’s/Candler, where she helped patients, families, and clinicians navigate complex medical and ethical decisions. She also holds faculty and advisory roles with medical schools, universities, professional organizations, and community institutions.

Kathleen is an accomplished author and international speaker whose work explores palliative care, healthcare ethics, communication, dignity, and innovation. She is especially passionate about making every stage of life the best it can be for patients and those who love and care for them. She believes meaningful innovation begins by listening closely to where people are struggling—and having the courage to build something better.