Asheville Reporter

Haywood Regional Medical Center (HRMC), part of the Duke LifePoint network, has announced the appointment of Sue Shugart as its new chief executive officer. Shugart will assume her duties on May 26 and will also take on the role of market president for HRMC, Harris Regional Hospital in Sylva, and Swain Community Hospital in Bryson City. She will work in close coordination with Ashley Hindman, the CEO of Harris and Swain, to enhance strategic alignment across these facilities.

Shugart comes with over 20 years of leadership experience in healthcare. Before this appointment, she was the CEO of Rutherford Regional Health System, another facility within the Duke LifePoint network located in Rutherfordton, North Carolina. During her tenure there, she focused on initiatives aimed at improving care delivery, expanding physician services, and enhancing the patient experience.

She also played a significant role in coordinating efforts with HRMC and other regional hospitals during Lifepoint Health’s response to Hurricane Helene, which affected multiple facilities in western North Carolina. This experience deepened her understanding of the region's hospital networks and their communities.

Elmer Polite, the eastern division president for Lifepoint Health, commented, "We are excited to welcome Sue to Haywood Regional and the broader western North Carolina market. Her deep operational expertise, collaborative leadership style and strong commitment to community make her an excellent fit for this role. Sue has already built meaningful connections across the region, and we are confident she will continue to build on the strengths of our hospitals and teams."

Previously, Shugart was the CEO of MUSC Health Kershaw Medical Center in Camden, South Carolina, where she led several successful initiatives to improve care delivery and broaden access to medical services. She is recognized as a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and is certified in patient safety.

Upon her appointment, Shugart expressed her enthusiasm, stating, "I am honored to join HRMC and to serve the broader Haywood, Harris, and Swain market in this new capacity. This region is filled with talented, mission-driven teams who care deeply about their communities. I look forward to working alongside them to strengthen access, advance quality, and ensure excellent care for the people we serve."

She will be taking over from Chris Brown, RN, who will remain in his position until early May to facilitate a smooth leadership transition.