Mr. Benfield has led Prisma Health Laurens County Hospital since 2017, with his responsibilities expanded in 2023 to include Prisma Health Hillcrest Hospital. Since then, he has driven quality improvements, service line growth and workforce development across both facilities. In 2024 and 2025, Mr. Benfield worked alongside elected officials and community leaders to secure a $1 million grant from the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, part of a nearly $4 million statewide award, to expand rural healthcare access in Laurens County. He also serves as Prisma Health’s executive lead for its federally designated rural health clinics and systemwide robotics committee. Under his leadership, Laurens County Hospital has earned Leapfrog straight “A” grades, “Top Teaching Hospital” recognition and a Leapfrog “Top Hospital” designation for 2025, while Hillcrest Hospital has been ranked among the best hospitals in South Carolina by U.S. News and World Report and earned “Pathway to Excellence” designation, Vizient “Top Performer” recognition and Healthgrades specialty excellence awards for gastrointestinal care. Mr. Benfield has championed service line expansions including cardiology, sports medicine, orthopedic surgery and podiatry at Laurens and expanded gastrointestinal services at Hillcrest, while reducing reliance on travel nursing through culture and retention initiatives. Mr. Benfield was named among the “Top 25 Executives of South Carolina” by C-Suite Spotlight, which is now called Key Executives, in 2023. Previously, he held leadership roles in invasive cardiology and physician group operations at Bon Secours St. Francis Health System in Greenville, S.C. and the University Hospital in Augusta, Ga.
