William B. “Bill” James, M.H.A., has been named president of Wake Forest Baptist Health-Lexington Medical Center effective April 21.
“Bill is a seasoned health care executive with over 30 years of experience leading high performing hospitals and health systems,” said John D. McConnell, M.D., chief executive officer, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. “He is regarded as one of the top community hospital executives in the mid-Atlantic region.”
James replaces Steven C. Snelgrove, a long-term Wake Forest Baptist Health executive, who left the post in February to assume a position as president of a hospital in Columbia, Maryland, associated with Johns Hopkins Medicine.
As president, James will assume leadership for the broad oversight of all aspects of planning, critical operations and services of Lexington Medical Center. Initial priorities include continuing to improve patient satisfaction through high quality care delivery, assuring sound fiscal operation of the hospital and outpatient facilities, and ensuring compliance with regulatory agencies and accrediting bodies while continually monitoring the organization’s service and delivery system. Additionally, he will collaborate with clinical leaders, executives and faculty at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center to ensure the successful operation of inpatient and outpatient services at Lexington Medical Center.
James is leaving his post as president and chief executive officer of Northern Hospital of Surry County in Mount Airy, a position he has held since 1995.
“During his tenure there, he successfully strengthened the market position of the 133-bed acute and post-acute care hospital,” said Karen “Bobbi” Carbone, M.D., executive vice president and chief operating officer of Wake Forest Baptist Health. “He and his team grew revenue, increased cash reserves and reduced debt-to-equity ratio, ensuring stability for what is now the progressive, financially sound, independent community hospital it is today.”
“We find Bill to be a great fit for Lexington,” said Jeff Mast, chairman, Lexington Medical Center Board of Directors. “He has proven hospital leadership skills and a deep understanding of the Piedmont Triad health care market.”
James spent his impressive, 30-year career in community hospital management at numerous hospitals in Virginia, Alabama and North Carolina, ranging in size from 130 beds to over 200 beds. He completed undergraduate studies at the University of Virginia and obtained a master’s degree in Health Administration at Virginia Commonwealth University/Medical College of Virginia. He is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and serves as a member of the North Carolina Hospital Association’s Board of Trustees.
James and his wife, Terry, are the parents of two daughters, Rebekah and Amanda, and two sons, Cameron and Boris. They reside in Lewisville. In Mount Airy, James has been a leader in the community, serving as chair of Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, chairman of the 2013 Mount Airy Walk of the March of Dimes, on the CEO Roundtable of the Surry County Economic Development Partnership, and on the Boards of Directors of the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce, United Fund of Surry, and Surry County Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Media Relations
Mac Ingraham: mingraha@wakehealth.edu, 336-716-3487
Kathy Sushereba: news@wakehealth.edu, 336-713-4587