WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Novant Health has named two new executives to its Triad Region leadership team. Chris Brown and Jon Mercer will serve as president and chief operating officer of Novant Health Thomasville Medical Center and Novant Health Clemmons Medical Center respectively.
These strategic additions round out Novant Health’s new leadership structure in the Triad, joining longtime Novant Health leader Nicole Brenner, who was named president and chief operating officer of Novant Health Kernersville Medical Center as well as Alisha Hutchens, who was previously announced as president of Novant Health’s acute care operations in the Triad, and president of Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center and Novant Health Medical Park Hospital.
“We selected this extraordinary team to pioneer the future of healthcare delivery in the Triad,” said John Gizdic, executive vice president and chief operating officer at Novant Health. “These leaders will not only ensure that we continue to offer best-in-class hospital care, but that we also drive new initiatives that emphasize holistic, community-based services – whether that’s with a new clinic inside a neighborhood YMCA or increased after-hours virtual care options.”
Meet the new leaders
Alisha Hutchens is now president of Novant Health’s acute care operations in the Triad, as well as president of Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center and Novant Health Medical Park Hospital. With 17 years of experience at Novant Health, Hutchens brings a wealth of experience to this role, having most recently served as the president of Clemmons Medical Center and chief operating officer of Forsyth Medical Center. Hutchens has extensive leadership experience in operations, supply chain, strategic sourcing and finance. In her new role, Hutchens oversees all of Novant Health’s acute care hospital operations in the Triad. Hutchens holds a master’s degree in business administration from Liberty University and a bachelor’s degree in business from Appalachian State University.
Nicole Brenner is now the president and chief operating officer of Novant Health Kernersville Medical Center. A 12-year veteran of Novant Health, Brenner has held several leadership positions including strategic planning, director of operations, and most recently, her role as senior director of Novant Health Women’s & Children’s Institute in the Triad. Prior to joining Novant Health, Brenner held numerous leadership positions at Pfizer. She earned her master’s degree in business administration and her bachelor’s degree in business management at the University of Connecticut.
Chris Brown became facility president and chief operating officer of Novant Health Thomasville Medical Center, effective May 19. Brown’s healthcare career began as a radiologic and ultrasound technologist, and later he became a registered nurse before advancing to market president and CEO of Haywood Regional Medical Center in Western North Carolina. In addition to his associate’s degrees in radiologic technology and nursing, Brown holds a bachelor’s degree in health services management from East Carolina University and a master’s degree in business administration from Fayetteville State University.
Jon Mercer will serve as president and chief operating officer of Novant Health Clemmons Medical Center, effective June 30. Mercer brings more than 20 years of healthcare leadership experience to the position, most recently serving as the senior vice president and chief operating officer of UNC Health Blue Ridge, where he oversaw the system’s 315-bed hospital and 50 outpatient locations across a three-county region in Western North Carolina. Mercer holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Western Carolina University, and a master’s degree in exercise physiology from Appalachian State University. Mercer also earned a Master of Business and healthcare administration degree from Pfeiffer University.
Together, these leaders will work to enhance access to care, improve patient outcomes and build a healthier future for the Triad Region.
About Novant Health
Novant Health is an integrated network of nearly 900 locations, including 19 hospitals, more than 750 physician clinics and urgent care centers, outpatient facilities, and imaging and pharmacy services. This network supports a seamless and personalized healthcare experience for communities in North Carolina and South Carolina. Novant Health is nationally recognized for our unwavering commitment to safety and the highest quality care, and we serve as a catalyst for healthcare transformation through clinical trials, leading-edge research, innovative care delivery models and robust virtual care networks. The expertise and empathy of our more than 41,000 team members along with more than 8,600 independent and employed clinicians are at the heart of Our Cause as industry leaders caring for communities across the Carolinas. In 2024, Novant Health provided more than $1.6 billion in community benefit, including financial assistance and services.
For more information, visit NovantHealth.org. Follow Novant Health on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.
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