BECKLEY, W.Va. – David Stuart, MD, FACS, has been named Chief Medical Officer for Appalachian Regional Healthcare’s West Virginia Region, serving Beckley ARH Hospital, Summers County ARH Hospital and Tug Valley ARH Regional Medical Center in South Williamson, Ky.

Dr. Stuart has worked as a surgeon at Beckley ARH for 17 years and will maintain that role as he moves into the role of regional CMO.

Dr. Maria Braman, who serves as Chief Medical Officer for all of ARH, said she believes Stuart is the perfect fit for the position.

“Dr. Stuart has a long history of leadership with ARH, and we believe he’ll do an exceptional job in his new position,” Braman said. “We are excited to promote someone who has worked hard and dedicated himself to improving the lives of the patients of Appalachia.”

Dr. Stuart, a native of the Bahamas, is a graduate of Boise State University, where he competed in track and field. He received his medical degree from the Howard University College of Medicine and completed his surgical residency at Marshall University.

In his new position, he will work as the leading physician administrator for each of the ARH hospitals in the region, serving as the liaison between the medical and administrative staff at each facility and ensuring clinical competency among physicians while helping to carry out organization goals and objectives.

Dr. Stuart said he is honored to receive the promotion and looks forward to getting to work.

“I know it’s going to be a lot of work, but I believe I can have a positive impact,” he said of his goals, which include ensuring patients at all three facilities receive the best care possible.

“One of my chairpersons in medical school said the way to provide good care is to treat every patient as though they are a family member, so that’s always at the top of mind.”

Dr. Stuart said he also hopes those he works with never hesitate to reach out when needed.

“As a leader, I think you have to stay humble and you always have to be approachable,” he said. “Leadership is not a journey to rise in the ranks. Leadership is a journey to help those around us rise.”

Dr. Stuart, who also serves as medical director for both the Beckley ARH trauma department and the Beckley ARH Rejuvenation Center, is a member of the ARH Medical Staff Leadership Council, a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the West Virginia Chapter of the American College of Surgeons.

Additionally, he serves as the chairperson for the department of surgery at Avalon University School of Medicine and as clinical preceptor for the Saint James Medical School in Dominica.

Dr. Stuart and his wife Jamie, a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), reside in Beckley with their daughters Abigayle, 12, and Morgan, 9.

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Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH), is a not-for-profit health system operating 14 hospitals in Barbourville, Hazard, Harlan, Hyden, Martin, McDowell, Middlesboro, Paintsville, Prestonsburg, West Liberty, Whitesburg, and South Williamson in Kentucky and Beckley and Hinton in West Virginia, as well as multi-specialty physician practices, home health agencies, home medical equipment stores and retail pharmacies and medical spas. ARH employs approximately 6,700 people with an annual payroll and benefits of $474 million generated into our local economies. ARH also has a network of more than 1,300 providers on staff across its multi-state system. ARH is the largest provider of care and the single largest employer in southeastern Kentucky, and the third-largest private employer in southern West VirginiBECKLEY, W.Va. – David Stuart, MD, FACS, has been named Chief Medical Officer for Appalachian Regional Healthcare’s West Virginia Region, serving Beckley ARH Hospital, Summers County ARH Hospital and Tug Valley ARH Regional Medical Center in South Williamson, Ky.

Dr. Stuart has worked as a surgeon at Beckley ARH for 17 years and will maintain that role as he moves into the role of regional CMO.

Dr. Maria Braman, who serves as Chief Medical Officer for all of ARH, said she believes Stuart is the perfect fit for the position.

“Dr. Stuart has a long history of leadership with ARH, and we believe he’ll do an exceptional job in his new position,” Braman said. “We are excited to promote someone who has worked hard and dedicated himself to improving the lives of the patients of Appalachia.”

Dr. Stuart, a native of the Bahamas, is a graduate of Boise State University, where he competed in track and field. He received his medical degree from the Howard University College of Medicine and completed his surgical residency at Marshall University.

In his new position, he will work as the leading physician administrator for each of the ARH hospitals in the region, serving as the liaison between the medical and administrative staff at each facility and ensuring clinical competency among physicians while helping to carry out organization goals and objectives.

Dr. Stuart said he is honored to receive the promotion and looks forward to getting to work.

“I know it’s going to be a lot of work, but I believe I can have a positive impact,” he said of his goals, which include ensuring patients at all three facilities receive the best care possible.

“One of my chairpersons in medical school said the way to provide good care is to treat every patient as though they are a family member, so that’s always at the top of mind.”

Dr. Stuart said he also hopes those he works with never hesitate to reach out when needed.

“As a leader, I think you have to stay humble and you always have to be approachable,” he said. “Leadership is not a journey to rise in the ranks. Leadership is a journey to help those around us rise.”

Dr. Stuart, who also serves as medical director for both the Beckley ARH trauma department and the Beckley ARH Rejuvenation Center, is a member of the ARH Medical Staff Leadership Council, a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the West Virginia Chapter of the American College of Surgeons.

Additionally, he serves as the chairperson for the department of surgery at Avalon University School of Medicine and as clinical preceptor for the Saint James Medical School in Dominica.

Dr. Stuart and his wife Jamie, a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), reside in Beckley with their daughters Abigayle, 12, and Morgan, 9.