Mr. Brown has served as a rural hospital CEO or president since 2011. Currently, he leads both Wilkes Medical Center and Lexington Medical Center, where he focuses on expanding access to high-quality care in underserved communities. Mr. Brown has championed programs including a rural obstetrics program, behavioral health peer support specialists, virtual health, specialty consults, new cancer services and clinical trials, all of which are delivered closer to home for rural patients. He has also built robust workforce development pipelines through partnerships with local community colleges, offering career-pathway programs, clinical rotations, and preceptorships designed to keep local residents trained and employed in their own communities. Under his leadership, Wilkes Medical Center earned the Leapfrog “Top Rural Hospital” designation, and multiple facilities achieved EPA “Energy Star” certification, placing them in the top 25% of buildings nationwide. Prior to joining Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Mr. Brown served as CEO of Duke LifePoint—Person Memorial Hospital in Roxboro, N.C. He holds board appointments with the North Carolina Healthcare Foundation, the Wilkes and Lexington chambers of commerce and the Davie Community Foundation.
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Becker's Recognition
Chad Brownhas been named a Becker's honoree on the lists below.
2026 Winner

2026 Winner

Executives
146 Rural Hospital and Health System Presidents and CEOs to Know
CEORural & Critical Access
