For the first time in the hospital's history, three women hold the titles of CEO, COO, and CNO.
Women are at the forefront of leadership for LewisGale Hospital Montgomery, an HCA Healthcare facility located in Blacksburg, Virginia, for the first time in its 50-year history.
Lauren Dudley serves as the hospital's CEO, Devin Tobin serves as the hospital's COO, and Lisa Carson serves as the hospital's CNO.
Dudley took the role of CEO in June, when she succeeded Alan Fabian who currently serves as market president for the LewisGale Regional Health System.
Previously, Dudley served as the COO for HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce, Florida, where she was recognized for leadership in construction projects and technology upgrades.
"I am proud to be joining the leadership team at LewisGale Hospital Montgomery. For 50 years, [the hospital] has delivered comprehensive healthcare to residents of the New River Valley," Dudley told HealthLeaders. "I'm very excited to continue building on a solid foundation and path forward for continued growth and success."
Tobin has served as the hospital's COO for over a year, being appointed to the role in the summer of 2021. Prior to that, she served as the hospital's vice president of operations where she managed the facility's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In that role, she also served as ethics and compliance co-chair, and introduced bariatric surgery as a new service line.
Tobin said the hospital has a history of strong executive leaders, and that she, Dudley, and Carson are a continuation of that.
"Even more exciting is the fact that we are helping to positively influence the gender diversity among executive positions in healthcare," she told HealthLeaders. "Women make up 80 percent of all healthcare buying decisions and compose 65 percent of the U.S. healthcare workforce. We are proud to have a team that is representing our workforce and continuing our commitment to the care and improvement of human life."
Carson, who has worked for HCA Healthcare for almost three decades, was hired as the hospital's CNO in May. Prior to her current role, she served as assistant chief nursing officer at Henrico Doctors' Hospital in Richmond, Virginia.
"As the chief nursing officer of LewisGale Hospital Montgomery, it is an honor to be an advocate and voice not only for our patients, but for all the nurses," Carson told HealthLeaders. "Working side by side with two other strong female leaders and knowing that we are not only taking care of our community but helping pave the way for young girls to know that they have the ability to be anything they want makes the work that much better."
“Women make up 80 percent of all healthcare buying decisions and compose 65 percent of the U.S. healthcare workforce. We are proud to have a team that is representing our workforce and continuing our commitment to the care and improvement of human life.”
Devin Tobin, chief operation officer, LewisGale Hospital Montgomery
Jasmyne Ray is the revenue cycle editor at HealthLeaders.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Dudley, Tobin, and Carson hold the hospital's top leadership positions - the first time women have done so in the hospital's history.
Tobin proved herself as an exceptional leader in managing the hospitals response to the COVID-19 pandemic while serving as the hospital's vice president of operations.
Carson brings decades of experience to her new role as chief nursing officer.
Previous CEO, Alan Fabian, praised Dudley's leadership skills, saying he's confident that she will add onto the foundation laid for the hospital going forward.