Baptist-Crittenden set to welcome new top administrator

Pieh to replace Welton as hospital’s CEO this month

By Ralph Hardin

ralphhardin@gmail.com

Brian Welton is stepping down as head of Baptist-Crittenden Hospital and his replacement is already in place.

In March, Memphis, Tenn.based Baptist Memorial Health Care promoted or appointed new CEOs/administrators for eight of its hospitals. The health system has also made leadership changes for its hospital operations as longtime Vice President of Metro Operations Randy King retired on April 14.

Welton has been appointed CEO/administrator of Baptist-North Mississippi.

He has served as the only CEO/administrator of Baptist-Crittenden since it opened in 2018, giving Crittenden County its first new hospital since the 1950s. The county had been without a hospital since the old Crittenden Regional Hospital closed in 2016.

The new CEO/Administrator for Baptist-Crittenden will be Samuel Pieh Peih is described by Dr.

Paul DePriest, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Baptist Memorial Health Care, as “an accomplished health care leader who delivers results.”

Pieh joined Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis as chief operating officer on Feb. 24, 2020, right before the COVID-19 pandemic started. As COO, he was integral to the 706bed hospital’s successful response to the pandemic during unprecedented volume increases and national staffing challenges. While helping reduce admission and treatment times for one of the busiest emergency departments in Tennessee, Pieh successfully coordinated the construction and opening of Baptist Arlington Emergency Department, a satellite of Baptist Memphis’ ER and the first freestanding ER in West Tennessee. Pieh previously worked for Baptist Memorial Hospital-Tipton as director of rehabilitation from 2006 to 2009.

Before returning to Baptist, Pieh served as vice president of operations for Sentara CarePlex Hospital in Hampton, Virginia, from 2018 to 2020. He was chief operating officer at St.

Francis Hospital-Memphis from 2016 to 2018 and DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital, a 158-bed community teaching hospital in Detroit, Michigan, from 2015 to 2016.

Pieh has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Memphis, a Master of Physical Therapy from the University of Tennessee, a Master of Business Administration from Union University and a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Temple University.

Other promotions and appointments include:

• Chris Anderson, formerly VP of operations for Baptist’s Mississippi market, will be promoted to VP of operations for Baptist’s metro market;

• James Grantham, chief executive officer/administrator of Baptist Union County and Baptist Booneville, has been promoted to VP of operations for Baptist’s Mississippi market;

• Brad Parsons, VP/CEO of Baptist Memphis, will be promoted to VP of operations for Baptist’s West Tennessee and Arkansas markets;

• Derick Ziegler, VP of affiliate integration and West Tennessee operations, will be promoted to VP/chief transformation officer, a newly created role for the organization.

See BAPTIST, page A5

PIEH

WELTON BAPTIST

From page A1

“I am pleased to have Chris Anderson, James Grantham, Brad Parsons and Derick Ziegler help lead operations and sustainability for Baptist Memorial hospitals,” said Dr. Paul DePriest, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Baptist Memorial Health Care. “Combined, they have 100-plus years of experience leading hospitals and health care systems, and they have successfully managed our hospitals during one of the most challenging times in health care history. I expect them to continue to rise to any challenge as they lead Baptist Memorial hospitals into the future.”

In addition to Welton and Pieh’s new positions, the four other newly promoted or appointed CEOs/administrators include:

• Paul Cade, who has been named the CEO/administrator of Baptist Memphis.

He has been serving as CEO/administrator of Baptist Golden Triangle.

• Robert Coleman, who will serve as CEO/administrator of Baptist Golden Triangle. He is currently CEO/administrator for Baptist Attala and Baptist Yazoo.

• Mac Flynt, who has been promoted to CEO/administrator of Baptist Attala and Baptist Yazoo. He is currently the chief administrative officer for both hospitals.

• Ann Bishop, who has been promoted to CEO/administrator of Baptist Union County and Baptist Booneville. She will also continue to serve as administrator of Baptist’s cancer service line.

“I am pleased to announce these CEO appointments for Baptist Memorial hospitals,” said Dr. DePriest.

“It is rewarding to promote from within our organization because we have qualified leaders who excel at their jobs. I have the highest confidence in all of them and look forward to working with them to achieve better health for our communities.”

Pieh is expected to take over as CEO/administrator of Baptist Memorial Hospital-Crittenden at some point this month.