Historic Walker County

according to Sally Nelson, chief executive officer
(CEO). “We decided to launch the effort because
hospitals have routinely been beset with years of
misaligned priorities and poor communication
between community doctors and hospital officials.
Our physicians agreed that the model was
necessary in order to provide the community
with the highest quality healthcare,” and it is
accomplishing just that, she adds.
Huntsville Memorial operates under a close
team of leaders known as the executive team.
Led by Nelson as CEO, others include Shannon
Brown, chief financial officer, Dr. David Ficklen,
chief medical officer; and Donna Stewart, chief
patient care services officer.
While they are at the helm, they are under the
leadership of a board of directors who are nominated
from the professional community, as well
as the community-at-large. David Prier, M. D., is
chairman of the board and John Knight, M. D., is
chief of staff. Other board members are Nancy
Gaertner, Don Johnson, Morris Johnson, vice
president; Wayne Scott, Rosa Valles, Dana
Gibson, Ph.D., Urmil Shukla, M. D., William
Durham, Helen Watkins, Ph.D., Sam Burris, and
Tim Deahl, M. D.
While the history of Huntsville Memorial
Hospital is well documented, it is important
that HMH stays competitive with other healthcare
facilities. It does that by keeping up-
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