Atrium Health Navicent Peach CEO Laura Gentry has been named to Becker’s Hospital Review’s 110 Rural Hospital and Health System CEOs to Know in 2024 list. Gentry, who additionally serves as vice president for Atrium Health’s Georgia market primary care service line, was also included on the list in 2022 and 2023.

Rural hospitals and health systems bring health care services to remote areas that might otherwise lack access. The CEOs featured on the list are expanding service lines, hiring talented caregivers, improving facilities through renovations and new construction, and much more.

In 2023, Atrium Health Navicent Peach was awarded an Advocate Health silver Touchstone Award recognizing low rates of hospital-acquired infection. In addition, Atrium Health Navicent Peach implemented a hospitalist program in 2023 that includes telenocturnist services, expanding the care available to patients in the surrounding rural community, and allowing them to receive more advanced services close to home.

“Rural hospitals play a vital role in ensuring health equity. Laura and her team at Atrium Health Navicent Peach are deeply committed not only to providing quality health care close to home, but also to improving the community as a whole,” said Atrium Health Navicent President Delvecchio Finley. “Thanks to Becker’s Hospital Review for recognizing Laura for her efforts to improve health and wellness, elevate hope and advance healing for all.”

Gentry began her career in health care as a registered nurse. She 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. She oversees all aspects of the hospital, including managing the hospital’s budget, supervising employee engagement, meeting and exceeding quality and patient satisfaction benchmarks, handling contract negotiations and facilitating work for certifications and accreditations.

Gentry is also responsible for Atrium Health Navicent Primary Care Fort Valley. Under her management, the clinic recently expanded its physical space and services to patients by relocating to 201 Avera Drive in Fort Valley.

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.