Lindy White named president of Ballad Health’s Kingsport operations

Lindy White, an accomplished healthcare leader with more than 20 years of experience in healthcare leadership in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, is returning to Ballad Health as the president of the Ballad Health’s Kingsport operations. In this role, she will serve as chief executive officer of Holston Valley Medical Center and Indian Path Community Hospital, and all outpatient services.

White, who has a farm in Gate City, Virginia, begins her new role Monday, Jan. 14. In her most recent role, she served as chief executive officer of Providence Northeast Hospital in Columbia, South Carolina, a part of Lifepoint Health.

“I’m so excited to come home and serve alongside so many talented healthcare professionals who provide such incredible care to the people of Kingsport and Southwest Virginia,” White said. “Holston Valley Medical Center and Indian Path Community Hospital are two excellent institutions with incredible earned reputations that have great opportunities to collaborate in the future. Kingsport is a wonderful community, and I look forward to being an active part of it.”

White was selected after a search process resulted in several excellent candidates. The candidates were interviewed by the community board of Holston Valley Medical Center and Indian Path Community Hospital, as well as medical staff leadership.

“We are honored to have been included in the process of selecting our next leader,” said Dr. Marta Wayt, chief of the medical staff of Holston Valley Medical Center. “We were impressed with Lindy’s professional approach, her interest in partnering with physicians, and her commitment to the best patient experience. We look forward to working with her.”

Dr. Sheryl Stanski, chief of the medical staff of Indian Path Community Hospital, agreed: “Lindy has exceptional experience and will be an inspiring leader for these hospitals at an important time,” said Stanski. “We will work with her to ensure we are all successful in continuing to deliver excellent healthcare.”

White has served in several capacities in healthcare, working with a variety of hospitals and hospital systems, including HCA, Carillion, Smyth County Community Hospital and Franklin Woods Community Hospital. In her career, she has led organizations to several accolades for quality, patient satisfaction and nursing excellence. Hospitals under her leadership have been recognized as among the top 100 hospitals in the United States by Truven Health Analytics, and received the Pathway to Excellence recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center and Guardian of Excellence Award from Press Ganey for patient satisfaction.

White will replace Monty McLaurin, who has served as chief executive officer of Indian Path Community Hospital for 15 years, and as interim chief executive officer of Holston Valley Medical Center. McLaurin will continue as president of the northwest division of Ballad Health, and White will report to McLaurin.

“It has been my honor and privilege to serve alongside so many great people at Indian Path Community Hospital and Holston Valley Medical Center,” said McLaurin, who has been an active member of the Kingsport community for nearly two decades – including service as chair of FunFest and the Kingsport Chamber. “I love Kingsport, and I could not be more excited about the energy and inspiration Lindy is going to bring to this role. I will miss being in the hospitals each day, but I know the team members and physicians will truly enjoy working with her as they work together to advance health care here at home.”

A native of Southwest Virginia, White was born at Smyth County Community Hospital, and she began working there as a staff accountant in 1992. She earned a string of promotions, eventually becoming the hospital’s chief executive officer in 2005. Under White’s direction, the hospital constructed its new, state-of-the-art facility in 2012, and it also achieved outstanding quality scores related to patient experience in the emergency department and inpatient units, as well as low readmission rates. At a time when rural hospitals were struggling, and closing, she stewarded the hospital through those challenging obstacles.

“I’ve known Lindy in her professional capacity for 15 years, and I find her to be one of the most caring, professional, and inspiring leaders I’ve ever met,” said Bob Feathers, chairman of the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce. “She will be a great fit in Kingsport, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome her.”

“Columbia is a beautiful place with amazing people, and I really enjoyed my time there,” White said. “However, I was called to come home. This is where I belong.”