Since 2020, Dr. Roberts has served as vice president and chief medical officer for UNC Health Southeastern, overseeing the medical staff along with medical education, infection control and quality departments. He provides leadership oversight for a residency and fellowship program comprising approximately 100 individuals. He also brings deep roots in Robeson County, with a career shaped by service and community return, including early practice with the Indian Health Service at the Choctaw Nation Indian Hospital in Oklahoma. He also brings more than two decades leading Lumber River Family Practice in Lumberton after opening it in 1994. He transitioned to a full-time system role in 2016 as the complexity of practice operations grew nationwide, bringing frontline perspective into executive leadership. Beyond the hospital, Dr. Roberts has served on organizational governance bodies and continues community-facing leadership, including appointment to the Lumbee Tribe board of health in 2022 and ongoing service as medical director for Community Hospice in Lumberton, as well as prior medical directorships for long-term care and other entities.
Becker's Recognition
Joseph Roberts, MDhas been named a Becker's honoree on the lists below.
2024 Winner

Executives
Hospital and Health System CMOs to Know
The physician leaders highlighted by this list champion patient safety, uphold rigorous quality standards, act as liaisons between leadership teams and medical staff, manage risk, and much more. These CMOs are drivers of continuous improvement, and their efforts have helped garner numerous quality and safety accolades for their respective organizations.
2025 Winner

2024 Winner

Executives
Hospital and Health System CMOs to Know
The physician leaders highlighted by this list champion patient safety, uphold rigorous quality standards, act as liaisons between leadership teams and medical staff, manage risk, and much more. These CMOs are drivers of continuous improvement, and their efforts have helped garner numerous quality and safety accolades for their respective organizations.
2026 Winner

Executives
252 Hospital and Health System Chief Medical Officers to Know
Becker’s Healthcare is proud to recognize exceptional chief medical officers serving hospitals and health systems nationwide.
These physician executives are instrumental in elevating patient safety, upholding rigorous quality standards, strengthening collaboration between executive leadership and medical staff, and guiding risk management efforts.
As champions of clinical excellence and continuous improvement, their leadership has helped their organizations achieve distinguished quality and safety recognitions.
