Atrium Health Navicent Peach CEO Laura Gentry and Monroe County Hospital CEO Lorraine Smith have been named to Becker’s Hospital Review’s 107 Community Hospital CEOs to Know in 2023 list.

The leaders featured on this list shape workforce culture, plan for the future, broaden hospital offerings and sustain financial wellness for their community hospitals. The list honors CEOs for their dedication to ensuring that patients can access acute care, primary care, rehabilitation, public health services and other resources.

Gentry and Smith also were recognized on Becker’s Hospital Review’s 80 Rural Hospital CEOs to Know in 2023 list.

“Strong leaders like Laura and Lorraine are essential to Atrium Health Navicent’s commitment to expand access to high quality health care for rural Georgians, said Atrium Health Navicent President Delvecchio Finley. “Thanks to Becker’s Hospital Review for recognizing these talented leaders for all they’re doing to improve health, elevate hope and advance healing for ALL.”

Laura Gentry joined Atrium Health Navicent in 2015 as chief nursing officer at Atrium Health Navicent Peach and became chief executive officer of the facility in March 2018. Gentry oversees all aspects of the hospital, including managing the hospital budget, fostering employee engagement, meeting quality and patient satisfaction outcomes, handling contract negotiations and ensuring compliance with hospital certifications and accreditations. She is also responsible for Primary Care Fort Valley Rural Health Clinic.

Under Gentry’s leadership, the hospital has expanded outpatient lab and radiology services, won a quality and patient safety award from the Partnership for Health and Accountability in 2019, and has seen growth in patient visits. In addition, Gentry serves on the executive committee of the Board of Trustees of Central Georgia Technical College Foundation. She began her career in health care as a registered nurse.

Lorraine Smith has served as CEO of Monroe County Hospital, an Atrium Health Navicent partner, since February 2018. She works closely with the hospital’s board and senior leaders to focus on the strategic direction, financial and operational strength, quality and the patient experience. Under her leadership, the hospital has expanded clinical service lines, resulting in overall increased patient volumes and revenue and increased philanthropic support. Monroe County Hospital has also obtained ISO 9001 quality certification and renovations have been completed including an emergency department expansion.

Smith serves on multiple community boards and received her board certification in health care management from the American College of Healthcare Executives. In addition to her work in health care, Smith has served as a member of the U.S. Army Reserves for more than 25 years. She is currently the 8th Medical Brigade Command sergeant major.

Becker’s Hospital review is a source of news and information for health care decision-makers. In addition to a print magazine, Becker’s Hospital Review publishes an e-newsletter with 1 million subscribers and has 3.5 million monthly visitors on its website.