2023 State of Healthcare
Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023 • Huntsville Botanical Garden
AGENDA:
Welcome - Lynn Troy, 2023 Chamber Board Chair
Panel A Introductions
Crestwood Medical Center – Matthew Banks, CEO
Huntsville Hospital - Tracy Doughty, President & COO
Madison Hospital – Mary Lynne Wright, President
Q&A - Moderated by Clarissa McClain
Panel B Introductions
Alabama Public Health Department – Judy Smith, Administrator
Madison County Health Department – Dr. Wes Stubblefield, North Alabama’s District Medical Officer
Wellstone Inc. - Jeremy Blair, CEO
Q&A - Moderated by Claire Aiello
Keynote Speaker
Jeff Samz, CEO, Huntsville Hospital Health System
PANEL A
Matthew Banks
CEO, Crestwood Medical Center
Matthew Banks joined Crestwood Medical Center as its new Chief Executive Officer on July 18, 2022.
Banks joins Crestwood from Merit Health Wesley, a 211-bed acute care facility in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, where he has served as CEO for the past 4 years. Previously, he was CEO at Davis Regional Medical Center in Statesville, North Carolina; Chief Operating Officer at Lake Norman Regional Medical Center in Mooresville, North Carolina; and Chief Operating/Nursing Officer and Interim CEO at Stringfellow Memorial Hospital in Anniston, Alabama.
Banks holds his Bachelors of Science in Nursing, Bachelors of Science in Psychology, and Masters of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Health Services Administration degree from the University of Alabama in Birmingham and an Associates degree in Nursing from Troy University.
Banks was one of 59 scholars chosen within the United States to spend time learning leadership lessons from four Presidential Libraries – George W. Bush, George H.W. Bush, William J. Clinton, and Lyndon B Johnson Foundations after being name a 2018 Presidential Leadership Scholar. These sessions are rooted in leadership research and use compelling presidential and business examples. He was also awarded the UAB School of Nursing Young Alumni Merit Award in 2013.
Coming back home to Alabama has been a blessing for Banks and his wife, Susan. Both grew up in Pinson where their parents still reside. He and Susan have been married for 16 years and have two daughters, Allie-13 and Mattie-8.
Tracy Doughty
President & COO, Huntsville Hospital
Tracy Doughty serves as the President and Chief Operating of Huntsville Hospital. He brings over 20 years of healthcare experience from hands-on bedside clinician to a visionary leader. Tracy has extensive knowledge and experience in strategic planning, quality improvement, financial analysis, business start-ups, and community alignment. He spends much of his time driving innovation and ensuring operational excellence.
For 2023 and beyond, Tracy has set high standards for improving the organization's patient experience. He has also placed a laser focus on employee job satisfaction, the hiring process and building an infrastructure for developing the future workforce.
His educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of North Alabama and two graduate degrees from the University of Alabama in Birmingham: Master's degree in Quality Management and a Master's degree in Health Administration.
Outside of work, Tracy loves to read, travel and spend time with family and friends. He is also active in many local and regional organizations including:
- The University of North Alabama Foundation - Board Member
- Huntsville/Madison County Chamber - Government & Public Affairs Committee
- The Huntsville Committee of 100 - Board Member
- Huntsville Housing Authority - Advisory Board
- Calhoun Community College Foundation - Board Member
- Downtown Huntsville Inc. - Board Member
- First Missionary Baptist Church Foundation - Board Member
- Alabama Hospital Association - State Legislative Committee
Tracy is a graduate of Leadership Huntsville/Madison County and The Leadership Alabama Initiative.
He served as a Commissioned Officer in the U.S. Army Reserves for 6 years and is also a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and the National Society of Health Services Executives.
Mary Lynne Wright
President, Madison Hospital
Mary Lynne Wright is President of Madison Hospital, part of the Huntsville Hospital Health System. Mary Lynne was named to her position in 2010, overseeing the planning and construction of the hospital which she has led since opening in February 2012. Under her leadership, Madison Hospital has experienced unprecedented growth.
Prior to her role in Madison, Mary Lynne had a distinguished career at Huntsville Hospital, serving as Vice President of Surgical Services, Corporate Compliance Officer, Risk Manager, and others. She began her career at Huntsville Hospital as a registered nurse.
Mary Lynne holds a Master’s Degree of Science in Management from Florida Institute of Technology, a Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Athens University and an Associate’s Degree in Nursing from Samford University.
In 2020, Mary Lynne was recognized as one of the Women Who Shape the State. She was also honored by WEDC in the Women Honoring Women program. She is active in many local community and professional organizations, including serving as a board member of the Alabama Hospital Association.
A lifelong resident of Madison County, Mary Lynne was born at Huntsville Hospital. She and her husband, Merrill, have lived in Madison since 1989. They have two daughters.
Clarissa McClain
Director of Marketing and Communications, Randolph School
Clarissa McClain is an Atlanta native, but considers Huntsville home now. She is an Auburn University graduate and currently serves at the Director of Marketing and Communications at Randolph School.
In that role, McClain serves as a member of the School’s Administrative Leadership Team and manages school-wide communication, strategic marketing planning and implementation, brand integrity, school policy updates, crisis communication planning, media and advertising partnerships, and the visual and written content on public platforms, including the School’s website and social media.
During her tenure at Randolph and joint work with the other administrators, the School has experienced a 16% increase in overall applications, growth on all social media platforms to more than 11K, and improved Google search performance that has surpassed 1 million impressions. The Marketing and Communications Office at Randolph School is award-winning, producing graphics, The Report on Philanthropy annual publication, and promotional video content. In May of 2021, McClain won two Telly Awards for branded content. The Telly Awards honor excellence in production, showcasing the best work created within non-broadcast television and video across all screens. There were 12,000+ entries from all 50 states and 5 continents. Here are the winning entries:
- Silver: Randolph School Virtual Campus Tours (Category: Business to Consumer Campaign)
- Bronze: Randolph Prepares to Welcome Students Back to School (Category: General Education)
Prior to joining Randolph School in March of 2019, she worked as a broadcast journalist at WHNT News 19 in Huntsville. Her tenure there lasted nearly 12 years and included projects that earned recognition from the Alabama Broadcasters Association and an Emmy award. McClain enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, cooking, reading, and learning how to speak Spanish. In Clarissa’s own words, she strives to bring kindness, light and positive change to any space she occupies.
PANEL B
Judy Smith
Judy Smith
Administrator, Alabama Public Health Department
Judy Smith has worked in public health for the last 53 years, with the last 18 as the Administrator for 12 North Alabama counties. In addition to her time working in multiple aspects of public health (emergency response, wellness, general clinical, maternal and child health clinics), she has also worked as a clinical nurse, director and nurse practitioner. Judy has a Master’s in Public Health from the University of Alabama, with undergraduate certifications in nursing, pediatric nurse practitioner, and health care administration.
Dr. Wes Stubblefield
North Alabama’s District Medical Officer, Madison County Health Department
Dr. Wes Stubblefield is a district medical officer with the Alabama Department of Public Health covering the northern and northeastern districts. Originally trained as a pediatrician, Dr. Stubblefield practiced general pediatrics for over 14 years before joining ADPH. While practicing pediatrics, he held leadership positions at local, regional, state, and national levels. He completed his M.P.H. at UAB in 2018 and transitioned to a full-time public health role in 2021.
Jeremy Blair
CEO, Wellstone Inc.
Jeremy is the CEO of WellStone, a community mental health center in Huntsville, AL. Jeremy earned a BS in Psychology and Master in Marriage and Family Therapy from Harding University and an MBA from the University of North Alabama. He has worked in non-profit behavioral healthcare for the last 22 years serving children, adolescents and adults suffering from mental illness and substance use disorders. Jeremy serves on the boards of LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, Partnership for a Drug Free Community, and Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards.
Claire Aiello
Vice President, Marketing and Communications, Huntsville/Madison County Chamber
Claire Aiello graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. She worked in local news in Tuscaloosa and Huntsville for a total of 20 years, winning two Emmys before moving to a new career chapter with the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber. Claire started in Government and Public Affairs in 2017 and soon moved to Marketing & Communications, where she now leads the division. Here are a few things she does in her role:
- Serves as editor and chief writer of Initiatives magazine
- Helps market different Chamber events and outreach, including workforce efforts
- Helps companies with events such as groundbreakings and ribbon cuttings
- Helps market the Rocket City to job seekers & families, potential investors
- Interacts with the local news media to market various Chamber efforts
- Interacts with local community leaders
Claire has been married to Joey Aiello for 21 years. He is a Huntsville native, and they have a son and a daughter who attend public school. In her free time, Claire enjoys home improvement projects and announcing at her daughter's soccer games. Joey is also active as a leader with their son's Boy Scout Troop.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Jeff Samz
Chief Executive Officer, Huntsville Hospital
Jeff Samz joined Huntsville Hospital as Executive Vice President / Chief Operating Officer in 2009 and served in that role for both the Huntsville Hospital and the Huntsville Hospital Health System. Jeff became Chief Executive Officer in July 2021.
The Huntsville Hospital Health System includes twelve hospitals and dozens of ambulatory locations stretching across northern Alabama. The System is anchored by the 881 bed Huntsville Hospital, a community-owned, not-for-profit hospital founded in 1895 and the second largest hospital in Alabama. Jeff leads the senior management team with the responsibility for maintaining successful relationships with a medical staff of 1,400 physicians plus the executive responsibility for the overall direction of the Huntsville Hospital Health System and their 15,000 employees.
Jeff came to Huntsville Hospital from Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville where he served as Chief Executive Officer of the Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute. Prior to his work at Vanderbilt, Jeff worked at Duke University Medical Center Heart Services program in Durham and in a variety of administrative roles at Mission Hospitals in Asheville.
Jeff was a Morehead Scholar at the University of North Carolina and later earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Wake Forest University.
Jeff is active in community organizations serving as Secretary Treasurer and board member of the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber, Secretary Treasurer and board member of the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Foundation, board member of LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, board member of Vizient Southeast, and a board member of the Alabama Hospital Association.
SPONSORS:
PRESENTING SPONSOR
GOLD SPONSORS
SILVER SPONSOR
- University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH)
BRONZE SPONSORS
- Lara Bryant State Farm Agency
- Redstone Federal Credit Union
- SportsMED Orthopedic Surgery & Spine Center
EXHIBIT HALL:
- Alabama Public Health Department
- Brasfield & Gorrie, LLC
- Crestwood Medical Center Enable Madison County
- HEALS, Inc.
- Huntsville Hospital
- Lara Bryant State Farm Agency Madison County Health Department
- Nesin Therapy Services, PC
- Redstone Federal Credit Union Robins & Morton
- SportsMED Orthopedic Surgery & Spine Center
- Synovus Therapy Partners
- University of Alabama in Huntsville
- Wellstone, Inc.
