YADKIN VALLEY UNITED FUND - Key Persons
Andrew Tate is a native to Dobson, NC. Serving as Vice President of Ambulatory Services and Chief Practice Officer, his mission is to provide exceptional service and access to healthcare in our community. Having worked for the organization for more than 10 years, he has a background in Occupational Therapy and most recently served as Executive Director for Yadkin Valley Home Health. During his time at Yadkin Valley Home Health, the agency recognized significant success including awards from strategic healthcare programs as being in the top 5% for patient satisfaction on a national level. The agency operates out of Jonesville, NC and serves 10 counties. Andrew enjoys spending his free time boating with his family and his German shorthaired pointer. Andrew has a Bachelor's and Master's Degree from Lenoir Rhyne University in Human Occupational Studies and Occupational Therapy, respectively. Andrew also completed a Master in Health Administration from Appalachian State University.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees
Ann Ashman has served as a member of the Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees for over 11 years. She is retired from LifeStore Insurance (previously Insurance Service Center of Elkin), and spent 31 years as principal in an independent insurance agency. She received a Master's in Psychology from San Francisco State University, and a BA in Psychology from Wake Forest University. Ann is married to Ron Ashman, and has two sons, one who is an attorney and the other a pilot in Charlotte and Atlanta. Ann has also served on and held leadership roles with the Foothills Arts Council, Yadkin Valley Chamber of Commerce, Yadkin Valley United Fund, and the Elkin Public Library. In retirement, she enjoys reading and hiking in the beauty of the NC Foothills, and feels honored to serve on the HCMH Board.
Job Titles:
- ASSISTANT SECRETARY
- TREASURER
- Member of the Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees
Bob Ball has served as a member of the Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees since the early 1980's, in many roles, including Chair. He is Partner, and has 20 years of experience as a General Appraiser and real estate Broker with Underdown Ball & Associates LLC. Prior to entering the field of real estate in 1999, Bob worked for Elkin Valley Apparel Co. Inc., a ladies sportswear design and manufacturer, which he assisted in starting in 1974, and served as President for the last 10 years of operation. A graduate of North Carolina State University, Bob received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering. Bob has also served on the boards of Surry Community College and the local advisory board of BB&T. He has also been involved with the Elkin/Jonesville Rotary Club as a member and Past President.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Bob Midkiff has been a member of the Board of Trustees since 2010. Mr. Midkiff has forty-five years of experience in structural and civil design, construction, project management, and evaluation of commercial, industrial and residential buildings for attorneys, insurance companies, and property owners. He holds a BS in Civil Engineering and an MBA, both from Virginia Tech. Mr. Midkiff currently serves on the Board of The Ark, and has served on several other boards, including The Upper Yadkin Valley Habitat for Humanity and Watershed Now. He is also a former member of the Town of Elkin Planning Board.
Brent Kleinheksel has served as a member of the Board since 2018. He is the CEO of Lodgix.com, a vacation rental software firm he founded in 2008. He also enjoys redeveloping commercial properties and helping to further the development and growth of downtown Elkin. Prior to founding his company, Brent owned and operated a lakefront resort in Holland, Michigan and also worked for a variety of technology companies including IBM. An alumnus of Western Michigan University and the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame (MBA), Brent has been a community volunteer for many years, serving on numerous boards and commissions including the Yadkin Valley United Fund. Most recently, Brent has been a judge at the McCloskey New Venture Competition, working with Notre Dame students to evaluate their business plans and startup ideas.
Job Titles:
- VICE - CHAIR
- Member of the Board of Trustees of Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital
Cynthia Gonzalez has served as a member of the Board of Trustees of Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital since January of 2020. Cynthia grew up in Southern California, and lives in Elkin with her family where she has a private Law Practice. She received her undergrad from Salem College in Winston Salem, NC, and her Juris Doctorate from Charlotte School of Law, in Charlotte, NC. Before attending Law School she worked as a medical interpreter for Wake Forest Baptist Health in the ED, Trauma Department and Brenner's Children's ED. In addition to serving on the Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital board, Cynthia currently serves on the Elkin Grant Advisory Committee for The Winston-Salem Foundation, and as Treasurer of the Board of Directors for Grace Clinic. She enjoys spending time outdoors with her family and two Schnauzers. She and her husband enjoy hiking and visiting State Parks.
Job Titles:
- Director of Marketing
- Marketing / Public Relations
David H. Cline, III has served as a member of the Board of Trustees of Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital since 1998. Mr. Cline is a CPA and received his AB in Accounting from Pfeiffer University, He is the President and CFO of Federal Financial Services, Inc. in Elkin, Treasurer for Cedarbrook Country Club, and was VP of Finance/Treasurer for Chatham Manufacturing for many years. He has a son, David H. Cline, IV, DDS, daughter Belinda C. Burchette, three grandsons and one granddaughter.
Dr. David A Ackerman has been a veterinarian for 32 years and is the current Laboratory Director of the Veterinary Diagnostic Lab for the NCDA in Elkin NC. David and his wife Alison have lived in Elkin NC for the past six years, and are active in the community. Prior to moving to Elkin, he owned and operated a Veterinary Practice in Andrews NC for 23 years. David is currently the Chairman of the Board for the Surry County Farmers Market and periodically volunteers for ETVA. David has been an avid beekeeper for the past 14 years. When he is not working or volunteering he and his wife Alison spend time with their family and grandson or David is fishing, kayaking or hiking.
Dr. Jonathan Snyder is a Board certified in orthopedic surgery and a Fellow in the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. A native of Elkin, Dr. Snyder earned a biology degree with distinction at Duke University prior to completing medical school at Wake Forest University, then returning to Duke for a residency in orthopedic surgery. Dr. Snyder joined Tri-County Orthopedic and Sports Medicine and the Hugh Chatham medical staff in 2009. He served as Chief of Surgery from 2014-2017 and as Chief of the Medical Staff since January of 2018.
Job Titles:
- Chief of Staff
- Member of the Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital Board
Dr. Murug Subbiah, Chief of Staff has been a member of the Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital Board since December 2020, and a member of the Medical Staff since 2004. Dr. Subbiah is the Director of the HCMH Hospitalist Program, and has served on the Medical Executive Committee, Critical Care/Cardiopulmonary Care Committee, Stroke Committee, and is a member of the Family Practice/Internal Medicine Department. He is married and has two children.
Dr. Myra S. Cox has been proudly serving the Elkin City School system as superintendent since December 2016. After graduating from Surry Central High School she received an associate's degree from Surry Community College and her undergraduate degree from Winston-Salem State University. She has a master's degree from Appalachian State University and graduated from High Point University with a doctorate in Educational Leadership. Among the many educational organizations serves, she is also President-Elect for the Yadkin Valley United Fund, a member of the Board of Directors for the Yadkin Valley Chamber of Commerce, the chairman for the Public School Partnership at Appalachian State University, is a member of the Surry County Cooperative Extension Advisory Council, Surry County Opioid Response Advisory Council, and is a member of the Yadkin Valley Rotary Club. Dr. Cox and her husband, Denny, reside in Elkin. Dr. Cox enjoys singing and traveling.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees of Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital
Dr. Stephanie Cartwright has served as a member of the Board of Trustees of Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital since 2017. Dr. Cartwright received her bachelor of science in biology from Wingate University in 1998, and earned her Doctorate in Optometry from NOVA Southeastern University College of Optometry in 2003. She has been in private practice in Elkin since 2007. She loves owning and operating a private practice, and the reward relationships with her patients bring. Dr. Cartwright has also served on the HCMH Foundation Board, Prevent Blindness of North Carolina, InfantSee, The North Carolina Optometric Society, The American Optometric Association, and the American Optometric Association Political Action Committee. She loves hanging out with her rescue dogs, hiking, fishing, and playing guitar.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees
Dr. Will Ballard became a member of the Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees in January of 2020. He is a Family Physician and has been employed by Wake Health Network Family Medicine (previously Jonesville Family Medicine) in Jonesville and in Dobson since 2008. Dr. Ballard is a member of the Medical Staff of Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital, and has served in a number of capacities, including: Chair of the Pediatrics Committee and Chair of the Family Medicine Department, as well as a member of Medical Staff Quality Improvement Committee and Medical Executive Committee. He currently serves as Vice Chief of Staff.
Dr. Ballard and his wife Lyndsey, a PharmD grew up in Elkin, and have three sons, twins Aidan and Connor 13, and Grant who is 10. Dr. Ballard attended Washington & Lee University (1997-2001) and received a Bachelor of Science, and UNC Chapel Hill School of Medicine (2001-2005) where he received his Doctor of Medicine. Dr. Ballard has been a member of the Junior Chamber of Elkin (Elkin Jaycees) for many years and served one term as president. He has served for many years as member of Elkin Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, and is currently Chair of the Elkin City Schools Board of Education. He coaches the Elkin Middle School Boys' Basketball team, and plays basketball and tennis regularly. He enjoys running and hiking the roads and trails in and around Elkin, and coaching youth athletics, including his sons and their peers in a variety of sports.
Elena Vasquez Thomasson has more than thirty-five years of corporate tax experience, including as International Corporate Tax Manager for US Airways and American Airlines, and as Senior Tax Associate with Arthur Andersen. Most recently she worked for telecommunications firm Fusion Connect as Regulatory and Tax Manager. She also previously served as an auditor for the states of Massachusetts and North Carolina. A native of Peru, she has lived in this area and in northern Virginia since 1972. Now retired, Elena spends her time managing the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program for Yadkin County to provide tax preparation assistance to elderly persons, volunteering with Rotary, and helping others in the community.
Our Vision is to be the best community hospital in the nation, with service as our guiding principle.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Neurology
Kent Thompson brings more than 30 years of healthcare financial management, consulting and operations experience to the Chief Financial Officer role at Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital in Elkin, North Carolina. In his role as CFO, Kent will be responsible for leading the finance organization and key supporting functions, including accounting, revenue cycle, treasury, internal audit, MIS/HIM, and materials management, as well as facilities support. He has served in key financial positions at several North Carolina hospitals and most recently served as a Senior Manager with DHG Healthcare Consulting, serving a wide variety of healthcare organizations throughout the southeastern United States. Kent is a Fellow of the Healthcare Financial Management Association and actively serves at both the National and North Carolina Chapter levels. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from North Carolina State University. When not working, Kent serves on the board of the Community Clinic of High Point and enjoys the outdoors and spending time with family.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Michael W. "Mike" Stanley has served as a member of the Board of Trustees since 2003. Mike is a native of Surry County, born in Elkin, and currently resides in the town of Dobson. He grew up on a family poultry and tobacco farm in the Salem Fork Community of the county. After graduating from high school and being drafted into the military, Mike enlisted in the Army serving in the Signal Corp with tours at Fort Bragg, Vietnam, and Fort Benning, Ga. He retired from a career with Surry Telephone Membership Corporation serving over 40 years, 26 as the Chief Executive Officer.
Paul Hammes brings more than 25 years of healthcare experience to his role as Chief Executive Officer at Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital. A Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives and an Army veteran, Paul serves on the boards of: the North Carolina Healthcare Association; the Southern Atlantic Healthcare Alliance; Telios Collaborative Network; Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care; Alleghany Health; and, on the Healthcare Management Advisory Board at Appalachian State University, where he has served as Adjunct Faculty.
Hammes holds Master's and Bachelor's degrees from the University of Georgia and completed an executive fellowship at UNC Chapel-Hill. When not spending time with his family, Paul enjoys collecting and playing guitars.
Job Titles:
- SECRETARY
- Member of the Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees
Phil Harris has served as a member of the Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees since 2006. Phil graduated from Elkin High School in 1978 and received a degree in business and economics from Pfeiffer College in 1982. He lives in Mountain Park with his wife Phyllis, and has two sons and two grandsons. Phil is the President of Harris Leather and Silverworksm and is a Board member of the National Snaffle Bit Association (NSBA), a Deacon at Mountain Park Baptist Church, and a Private Pilot. His hobbies include collecting classic muscle cars, flying and metal detecting.
Raymond Parker graduated from Jonesville High School, North Carolina State University and Wake Forest School of Law. He served four years in the United States Navy. He has served on the Board of Trustees of Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital for several years, including two years as Board Chairman before being named as General Counsel for the Hospital. Mr. Parker is also the Town of Elkin Attorney, and serves as General Counsel for Surry Telecommunications, Surry-Yadkin Electric, Carolina West Wireless and Skyline Telephone."
Sam Couch is a retired educator and served in the school system for 32 years. He was principal for Surry Central High School and North Surry High School. He is a graduate of Appalachian State University where he received his B.S. and M. A. Sam served on the Surry County Board of Commissioners for 8 years, the Surry County Health Board for 6 years, Northwest Piedmont COG Board for 6 years, SACS District Coordinator for 6 years and currently serves as president of Cedarbrook County Club. Sam and his wife Jeannette live in State Road.
Job Titles:
- CHAIRMAN
- Member of the Board of Trustees of Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital
Terry Darnell has served as a member of the Board of Trustees of Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital since 2012. He has served as Chair, Vice-Chair, and currently serves as Vice Chair. Mr. Darnell is a native of Elkin, an Elkin High School Graduate, and received a BS in Business from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a specialization in Accounting. He has been the owner/manager of Darnell's Pressure Washers Plus since 2012, and was part owner and general manager of Darnell Parts Service until 2009. Mr. Darnell is a member of the First Baptist Church of Elkin. He enjoys singing in the choir and hiking.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Willena Smith has served as a member of the Board of Trustees since 2017. Willena is married to David Smith, and has three children and four grandchildren. She is a graduate of Elkin High School and the NC School of Banking at Chapel Hill. Willena is the Branch Manager, and Assistant Vice-President at First National Bank in Jonesville, formerly Yadkin Valley Bank, with 37 years of banking background. She is a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church where she serves on various committees and sings in the choir. She also serves as Treasurer of the Jonesville Trails Association. Willena enjoys spending time with her family, especially being "Nonna" to her four grandchildren. Her hobbies include walking, riding bikes, cooking and reading, and spending time at Sunset Beach whenever she can steal away.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
- TREASURER
William A. "Bill" Johnson has served as a member of the Board of Trustees since 2017. He is a graduate of East Carolina University and has been in banking for nearly 40 years. He was a founding director of Mount Airy, NC headquartered Surrey Bank & Trust and now is a direct employee, serving as its Western Region Executive based out of Elkin, NC. Bill also serves on the board of the Yadkin Valley United Fund, the Mount Airy Youth Foundation and the Tri-County Citizens Foundation. He has been involved as a volunteer member of various local organizations, including STEP for Small Business Elkin, Explore Elkin's Collaborative Group and YESurry. He is also a former board member of the Surry County Economic Development Partnership, serving terms as Director, Treasurer and Chairman. When not working or volunteering, Bill enjoys going to sporting events with his family, reading and playing golf.