Augusta University
Stacey Hudson
When Stephen Wertz began working closely with the Dental College of Georgia, he gained a deepened appreciation for the indispensable role our institution plays both within Augusta University and across the State of Georgia. He quickly recognized that our academic rigor and clinical excellence are inextricably linked, driven by the dedicated faculty, staff, and students who steward our mission daily.
“I have been profoundly impressed by the commitment of our faculty and staff, and by their genuine devotion to the college’s success and broader public health impact,” Wertz noted.
That perspective will define his tenure as Senior Administrator for the DCG. Bringing over a decade of university leadership expertise, Wertz’s background spans nonprofit governance, strategic fiscal stewardship, and complex operational administration. In his new role, he will focus on optimizing the administrative and clinical workflows supporting both the college and AU Dental Associates. His immediate priorities center on fostering transparent communication, refining operational frameworks, and aligning resource allocation with our overarching strategic objectives.
“My goal is to ensure our operational and administrative infrastructure fully supports the Dean and executive leadership as they serve our faculty, staff, students, and patients,” Wertz stated. “Effective processes, open communication, and institutional trust are the bedrock of an infrastructure that enables our academic and clinical programs to thrive.”
Wertz envisions significant opportunities for the DCG to extend its statewide footprint, streamline clinical operations, and elevate the educational and patient care experience. The continued development of DCG Savannah stands as a vital initiative to expand access to oral healthcare and address provider shortages across Georgia.
“The DCG occupies a distinctive position in higher education and regional healthcare delivery,” Wertz emphasized. “Extending our reach beyond Augusta provides an extraordinary platform to expand our impact, advance dental education, and meet the oral health needs of our state.”
Ultimately, Wertz views his appointment as a commitment to relational leadership and institutional stewardship.
“I am honored to serve the college in this capacity and approach this responsibility with great dedication,” he said. “My approach is collaborative, deliberate, and service-oriented. Building respectful, mutually beneficial partnerships is essential to advancing the DCG’s long-term mission.”
Wertz most recently served as Vice President for Foundations and CEO of the Augusta University Foundation, Inc. and the Augusta University Real Estate Foundation, Inc., roles he assumed in February 2021. There, he provided executive oversight for board governance, philanthropic alignment, and fiscal operations.
His earlier service as Assistant Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer for Advancement further grounded his expertise in compliance, strategic budgeting, and organizational sustainability. Before joining AU, Wertz spent seven years at Serotta, Maddocks, Evans & Co., CPAs, specializing in nonprofit financial management, auditing, and accounting.
An alumnus of Augusta University, Wertz earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting in 2011 and received the Hull College of Business Outstanding Young Alumnus Award in 2024. He will complete a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in Nonprofit Administration and Public Budgeting and Finance from the University of Georgia this December.
