Robert M. Thornton Jr, CPA

Biography - Robert M. Thornton, Jr. Mr. Thornton has over twenty years experience in the healthcare business as an officer and director of three publicly traded hospital companies. He is currently the Chairman and CEO of SunLink Health Systems, Inc., an AMEX-traded company which operates community hospitals. He was with Hallmark Healthcare Corporation, a publicly-traded community hospital company, from 1986 until its merger with Community Health Systems, Inc. in October 1994. Mr. Thornton was a Director of Hallmark for six years and held various management positions including President, CFO and Secretary. Prior to joining Hallmark, Mr. Thornton held financial positions with Charter Medical Corporation for six years. Preceding his employment with Charter, Mr. Thornton was a manager with Cooper & Lybrand for nine years. Mr. Thornton is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in Georgia and North Carolina. He has published articles and delivered keynote presentations to various professional associations and groups, was the chairman and a member of several committees of the NCACPA, and was an editorial advisor to the Journal of Accounting for four years.