From 200 Applicants, St. Mark’s Hires a New CEO
The St. Mark’s Medical Center Board of Directors has announced Mark E. Kimball as the new Chief Executive Officer of the hospital. Kimball, who is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE), will begin his new role on October 5, 2020.
The Board of Directors said they followed a diligent search process toward selection of the right CEO to lead and strengthen St. Mark’s Medical Center well into the future. Over 200 applications were received for the CEO position “among which were some extremely qualified candidates” a press release stated.
Kimball, “an innovative and highly committed rural healthcare executive, brings more than 22 years of experience in hospital operations, financial improvement, physician relations, strategic growth and community involvement,” the release stated.
“This is indeed an exciting time for St. Mark’s and the entire community,” said Dudley Piland, Chair, Board of Directors, St. Mark’s Medical Center. “Mark brings experience, enthusiasm and servant leadership to solidify our executive team and support our staff. His experience and his passions are a great match with our mission to deliver excellent care within our community. Our recent celebration of our hospital’s 15th anniversary on July 11, 2020 and the positive results of our Community Survey point to a very positive path forward. What better time to welcome Mark as our new CEO to lead our hospital and grow our services to meet the community’s needs.”
The St. Mark’s Board expressed appreciation for Barry Harding, Interim CEO for the past three years, for his diligence and work to preserve St. Mark’s standing in both the medical community and community at large. Harding, who will assist with a smooth transition, shared: “It has been my pleasure to work alongside St. Mark’s leaders, staff and physicians to improve service delivery for the betterment of area citizens. This community is truly blessed to have the comprehensive services that St. Mark’s offers.”
Kimball, who comes to La Grange from Murphy, North Carolina, shared: “I am very excited to collaborate with the leaders, physicians and staff that make St. Mark’s a great place to work and deliver quality health care. We unite in our patient-centered mission and a common vision to build on St. Mark’s foundation of excellence.”
In Murphy, North Carolina, Kimball recently served as Vice President and CEO for Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital, a 57-bed hospital. Prior in Tennessee, Kimball served as Chief Operating Officer for Houston County Community Hospital, a 25-bed Critical Access Hospital in Erin, under a management agreement with NorthCrest Medical Center in Springfield, a 109-bed not-forprofit, acute care hospital.
Kimball earned his BA in Economics from the University of Georgia, and MBA from Albany State University.
He is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, and has completed leadership and improvement training through The Studer Group Institute. Under his leadership, he earned top 25 ranking in 2020 Best Safety-Net Hospitals in America.
Kimball and his wife Dottie look forward to making La Grange their home and becoming active in the local community. Their son attends Millsap’s College in Jackson, Mississippi.