FRANKLIN
Kim Marks has been appointed the permanent chief executive officer for Southampton Memorial Hospital effective Wednesday. The announcement was made by Douglas Moyer, network CEO of the hospital, Southern Virginia Medical Center in Emporia and Southside Regional Medical Center in Petersburg.

Most recently, Marks had been serving as interim CEO since Phil Wright II left in May for a new position in Florida. Before that, she was assistant CEO as well as director business development.

Noting that Marks made her first appearance at the hospital when she was born, Moyer stated in a press release:

“Probably no one knows the hospital quite as well as her, and I am delighted that she has been appointed to this position.

“Kim has shared her excitement about this new role and looks forward to growing how our hospital serves our community. Recruiting new physicians, restoring inpatient dialysis and renovating our long-term care facility are among recent ways we have expanded our services. Kim is dedicated to working with our management team, physicians and employees to identify ways we can continue this commitment.

“Please join me in congratulating Kim on her new role. Thank you for your dedication to providing patients with quality, compassionate care. I appreciate all you do.”

Marks confirmed with a laugh that she was indeed born at Southampton Hospital: Aug. 12, 1969, to be precise.

“When I graduated from college, I moved back to the Franklin community,” she said, adding that she majored in business and marketing at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina. She later earned her master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in health care administration from the University of Dallas.

“I interviewed for a position with human resources [in 1993], and worked there for a number of years. When Community Health Systems bought the hospital in 2000, I became the director of Human Resources, later moving into different positions, including business development and assistant CEO.”

She’s actually served as interim CEO twice, most recently after Wright, and before when Davis Fuller left.

The ongoing motivations for staying at Southampton Hospital have been the work and people themselves.

“I’ve just enjoyed hospital operations, including recruiting physicians and working with employees to provide great patient care,” Marks said.

In addition to educating the public on new health care laws and regulations, she foresees other challenges: “Virginia not being a Medicaid-expansion state and a lot of Virginians caught in the gap without health insurance.”

Dr. Dan Hoctor, director of rehabilitation at the hospital, said he’s quite pleased by the announcement.

“It was great news. I think with Kim being here for so long, will add a lot of stability to the hospital. Everyone knows her and really likes working with her. She’s been a great asset for the hospital,” Hoctor said. “Recently, she led the hospital for future growth with the addition of new physicians.”

“I am delighted to hear of Kim Marks’ well-deserved promotion to permanent CEO of Southampton Memorial Hospital and offer her my sincere congratulations,” said E. Warren Beale Jr. He’s vice chairman at the Village at Wood’s Edge. “Her background, dedication, expertise and enthusiasm will serve her well in her new position. I am particularly pleased to see one of Franklin’s own promoted and wish her all the best.”

“I am delighted that Kim has been named CEO of Southampton Memorial,” said Teresa Beale, executive director of the Franklin-Southampton Chamber of Commerce. “She was very pro-active in moving the hospital forward during her time as interim CEO, and will do an outstanding job in her new position. Kim’s leadership skills and community involvement will continue to enhance our local healthcare.”

Esther Francis, director of East Pavilion, is also enthusiastic.

“I’ve worked with Kim for 21 years. She’s shown a long-term commitment to the hospital. I just think it’s gratifying to see Community Health Systems recognize her commitment, and for her to be promoted within the ranks of our hospital.

“I’m excited for her to have the opportunity, and I know she’ll be an outstanding CEO.

“She’s dedicated.”