Helen Dean Downing
Secretary, Board of Directors

Helen Dean Downing was named secretary of the board of directors in 2007. She earned her bachelor's degree at Hollins College and her master’s degree at the University of Alabama. She has worked as a speech and English teacher at public school systems in Columbus, Ga., Birmingham, Ala., New Orleans, and Fairlawn, N.J.

Downing is very involved in the community and holds numerous civic leadership roles. She has served as chairman of the board for SunTrust, Savannah and United Way of the Coastal Empire. She is a member of the board at the Ronald McDonald House, MedBank, and Hospice Savannah, among others. Downing is president of the Savannah Symphony Women’s Guild, president of Parent & Child Development Services, and past president of the Historic Savannah Foundation.

Downing was married to the late Edward F. Downing, M.D., and has one daughter, Mary Carolyn Downing, M.D. She joined the Memorial University Medical Center board of directors in 2005.