After a five-month search, UNC Health Blue Ridge announced Wednesday that Gary William Paxson, from Batesville, Ark., will be the new president and CEO starting Sept. 3.
Paxson brings more than 25 years of extensive health care experience, having demonstrated leadership and a commitment to excellence throughout his career. He starts his career with UNC Health Blue Ridge following the retirement of Kathy C. Bailey, who has been in leadership for nearly 19 years.
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Paxson
Since 2018, Paxson has served as president and CEO of the independently owned White River Health System in Batesville, a 224-bed licensed medical center located in North Central Arkansas, which employs 1,700. The system also includes a 25-bed critical access hospital, White River clinics, a group of 16 primary care clinics and 20 specialty clinics totaling more than 100 employed physicians and practitioners and White River Health System Foundation.
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His tenure was marked by accomplishments in employee engagement, business fundamentals, quality metrics, innovation and growth. Under his leadership, the organization saw notable improvements in operational performance, patient satisfaction and community engagement.
鈥淚 am honored to join UNC Health Blue Ridge and excited to work with such a dedicated team,鈥 Paxson said. 鈥淚 am passionate about the pursuit of excellence in all tasks assigned, which directly relate to the mission of health care 鈥 outstanding patient care. Every patient, every time.鈥
Paxson said he and his wife, Jody, are excited about starting this new chapter in their lives.
Paxson holds a master鈥檚 degree in management of information systems with a concentration in health care administration from Bellevue University and a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Saint Anthony College of Nursing. He is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and an active member of several professional organizations, including the Arkansas Healthcare Executive Forum and the Arkansas Hospital Association.
鈥淲e are thrilled to welcome Gary Paxson to our team,鈥 said Mac McCrary, chairman of the UNC Health Blue Ridge Board of Directors. 鈥淗is proven track record of leadership and dedication to outstanding patient care aligns perfectly with our mission and values. We are confident that he will continue moving health care forward for our community.鈥