Vaughan Regional Medical Center Names Michael James as New CEO

Vaughan Regional Medical Center Names Michael James, MHA, as its New CEO
Experienced healthcare leader to replace retiring CEO David McCormack.

SELMA, Alabama (February 7, 2025) – Vaughan Regional Medical Center (VRMC) has named Michael James,
MHA, as its new CEO, replacing retiring CEO David McCormack, who has led the hospital since 2016.

With a 30-year career in hospital administration, James brings a wealth of experience to the
position. His most recent role was as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Jackson
Hospital and Clinics in Montgomery. In this capacity, he oversaw essential functions such as
clinical operations – including the emergency department, catheterization lab, operating room,
quality initiatives, and provider recruitment – as well as budget management, capital equipment,
contracts, real estate, IT infrastructure, and more.
James’ first day as CEO will be February 10.

“We are excited to bring someone of Michael’s caliber to the CEO role at Vaughan Regional, knowing
he has big shoes to fill in replacing David,” said Russell Pigg, President of the Community
Hospital Division at ScionHealth, the parent company of VRMC. “Michael brings a wealth of
experience to the role and a track record for helping hospitals achieve success in an ever-changing
environment. We believe he will be a great fit for Vaughan and a great ambassador to our partners
throughout the Selma community.”
Prior to joining Jackson Hospital, James held numerous leadership roles at Health Management
Associates (HMA) and its hospitals. These positions included Regional Vice President of Support
Services at HMA; Associate Executive Director/Interim COO at Midwest Regional Medical Center in
Midwest City, OK; Assistant Administrator at Central Mississippi Medical Center; Director of
Facilities Management at Poplar Bluff (MO) Medical Center; Director of Plant Operations at Carolina
Pines Regional Medical Center in Hartsville, SC (now one of Vaughan Regional’s sister ScionHealth
hospitals); Director, Plant Operations/Environmental Services at Heart of Florida Regional Medical
Center; and Director, Plant Operations/Environmental Services at Upstate Carolina Medical Center in
Gaffney, SC.

He noted that he is thrilled to have the opportunity to take the next step in his career and lead a
strong community hospital like Vaughan Regional as its CEO.

“I’ve continued to take on more challenging roles in each step of my career and believe my decade
at Jackson Hospital has prepared me to lead Vaughan,” said James. “I’m excited to join the team and
look forward to working together to best serve the healthcare needs of our surrounding communities.
We have strong programs already in place and opportunities to add or expand service lines to continue
bringing care close to home, where and when patients need it.”

During McCormack’s tenure at Vaughan Regional, the hospital expanded and upgraded its services to
enhance access to critical care. Significant improvements included the opening of a wound care
clinic in 2020, a state-of-the-art catheterization lab in 2022, an outpatient dialysis clinic
(Vaughan Kidney Care) in 2024, and a new primary care and urgent care center in 2024.
“We were able to add several necessary services at the hospital while always striving to provide
the best patient outcomes and experiences,” said McCormack. “I had a great team to lean on, and I’m
confident that Michael will find similar success working with the many outstanding clinicians and
support staff at the hospital.”