Jim VanderSteeg, president and CEO of Covenant Health, was installed as chair of the Tennessee Hospital Association’s (THA) Board of Directors during THA’s 87th Annual Meeting, held September 18–19.
VanderSteeg joined Covenant Health in 2007 and became president and CEO in 2016 after serving as executive vice president and chief operating officer. His commitment to advancing healthcare quality and access earned him recognition as a “Nonprofit Hospital and Health System CEO to Know” from Becker’s. “As chair of the Tennessee Hospital Association, I look forward to working with healthcare leaders across the state to advance innovation, strengthen access to care, and champion collaboration among our hospitals,” VanderSteeg said. “My ‘why’ has always been about making a difference, and this role gives me the opportunity to help shape the future of healthcare for communities throughout Tennessee.”
William Haugh, president of Lifepoint Health’s Central Division, was elected THA board chair-elect. Haugh joined Lifepoint Health in 2007 and served in various leadership roles, including president of its Mountain Division, before being named president of the Central Division in 2022.
Michael Ugwueke, president and CEO of Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, is now the immediate past chair after serving as the 2024-2025 THA board chair.
Also elected or re-elected are the following at-large board members for 2024:
- Martin Chaney, MD, Chief Executive Officer, Maury Regional Healthcare System, At-Large member, 2025-2028
- Reginald Coopwood, MD, President & Chief Executive Officer, Regional One Health, At-Large member, 2025-2026
- Mitch Edgeworth, Division President, HCA Healthcare TriStar, At-Large member, 2025-2028
- Keith Gray, MD, President & Chief Executive Officer, University of Tennessee Medical Center, At-Large member, 2025-2028
- Matt Ours, Divisional Senior Vice President – Behavioral Health, Universal Health Services Inc., At-Large member, 2025-2028
- Wright Pinson, MBA, MD, President, Vanderbilt Health Affiliated Network, At-Large member, 2025-2028
- Tina Prescott, President & Chief Executive Officer, West Tennessee Healthcare, At-Large member, 2025-2028
- Fahad Tahir, President & Chief Executive Officer, Ascension Saint Thomas, At-Large member, 2025-2026
- Scott Tongate, Chief Executive Officer, Macon Community Hospital, At-Large member, 2025-2028
- Ruby Kirby, Chief Executive Officer, West Tennessee Healthcare Bolivar, Ex-Officio member representing the Small & Rural Hospital Constituency, 2025-2027
- Jothany Reed, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Tennessee Board of Regents, Ex-Officio member representing the Tennessee Center for Health Workforce Development, 2025-2027
- Andy Russell, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Williamson Health, Ex-Officio member representing Chief Medical Officers, 2025-2027
A complete list of THA board members is available at THA.com/About/Board.