JACKSON - West Tennessee Healthcare announces James Ross as its Interim President & Chief Executive Officer. The West Tennessee Healthcare Board of Trustees approved a resolution appointing Ross to the interim position during the April board meeting. He fills the vacancy left by the resignation of former CEO Bobby Arnold.
James “JR” Ross joined West Tennessee Healthcare in 1985 as a registered nurse in the surgical intensive care unit. Throughout his career with the health system, he has held various positions including, Critical Care Coordinator, Cardiac Services Manager, Director of CCU, Administrator of the West Tennessee Surgery Center, Executive Director of Physician Services, Director of Case Management/Social Services as well as Vice President of Hospital Services. In 2009, Ross was named Chief Operating Officer for Jackson-Madison County General Hospital.
A native of Henderson, Tennessee, Ross has been active with numerous community and civic organizations. He serves on the Executive Board of the West Tennessee Council for Boy Scouts of America, Jackson Airport Authority, EMS Board for State of Tennessee, Union University Foundation and he is the Second Vice Chairman on the Jackson Chamber Board of Directors. He has formerly served as a member of the Union University Board of Directors and served on the search committee to hire the new President, Dub Oliver. He is First Co-Chair and charter member of the American Heart Society Red Tie Society. He is a member of the One Jackson Action Committee, Tennessee Hospital Association Diversity Council, 100 Black Men of West Tennessee, and Madison County Board of Health.
In 2015, Ross served as the NAACP’s 2015 Freedom Fund Honorary Co- Chair. He attends Englewood Baptist Church and serves as Chair of the Personnel Committee and has previously served on the Strategic Planning Committee. Additionally, Ross is active with many professional organizations including, the Tennessee Hospital Association, Tennessee Organization of Nurse Executives (TONE), American Nurses Association (ANA), American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) and Leadership Jackson Alumni Association.
As Interim President & Chief Executive Officer, Ross will work closely with the Board of Trustees and Executive Leadership Team in order to provide overall leadership to the health system. West Tennessee Healthcare Board of Trustees Chairwoman Vicki Burch expressed the board’s appreciation for Ross’ willingness to accept the interim position.
Ross has an Associate of Science degree from Jackson State Community College, a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Union University, a Master of Science in Health Services Administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and is a Licensed Registered Nurse and a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator as well as an Emergency Medical Technician by the State of Tennessee.
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