NEWS RELEASE – October 06, 2022
Paula Vaughan Named New CEO For Tug Valley ARH Regional Medical Center
October 06, 2022 – Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH) has announced that longtime member of the Tug Valley ARH Regional Medical Center leadership team Paula Vaughan, MSN, RN, has been named the hospital’s new Chief Executive Officer.
Vaughan, who has served as Community Chief Nursing Officer at Tug Valley ARH since January 2000 and has served in the dual role of CCNO and acting CEO for the hospital since August 2021, has permanently moved into the spot previously held by Jeremy Hall. Hall has moved into the ARH West Virginia Regional CEO position, overseeing the Tug Valley ARH, Beckley ARH, and Summers County ARH hospitals.
“Paula Vaughan has been a cornerstone of Tug Valley ARH for years. She has always demonstrated an ability to lead and a passion for excellent patient care,” said Jeremy Hall, ARH West Virginia Regional CEO. “I am excited to see how Tug Valley continues to grow and furthers its level of excellence under her leadership.”
Vaughan’s career with ARH spans nearly 40 years, starting as a staff nurse in the Intensive Care Unit of the then-named Williamson ARH Hospital before moving into the position of Utilization Review Coordinator seven years later. She also previously served as the hospital’s Director of Outcomes Management before moving into the CCNO position.
She earned an Associate of Science in Nursing from Southern WV Community and Technical College and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from West Virginia University. She later earned a Graduate Certificate in Health Care Management and a Master of Science in Nursing from East Tennessee State University.
Vaughan’s professional memberships include the Kentucky Organization of Nurse Leaders, the American Nurses Association, and the Kentucky Nurses Association.
“I am very excited about being named CEO for Tug Valley ARH Regional Medical Center,” Vaughan said. “Throughout my nearly 40-year career with Tug Valley ARH Regional Medical Center, I have witnessed the care, compassion, and kindness our team members provide to our patients. Providing quality care, exceptional patient experience, and improving the overall health and well-being of our communities will continue to be our focus.”
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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. ARH employs more than 6,500 people with an annual payroll and benefits of $330 million generated into our local economies. ARH also has a network of more than 600 active and courtesy medical staff members. ARH is the largest provider of care and the single largest employer in southeastern Kentucky and the third-largest private employer in southern West Virginia.