Neal picked to lead Highlands-Cashiers Hospital

After a four-month search, representatives from Mission Health have named Tom Neal as the new chief executive officer and chief nursing officer at Highlands-Cashiers Hospital.
    Neal was hired in November and officially started in his new role last week.
    “(Neal’s) first day was actually Dec. 2 and he has been getting up to speed very quickly,” Mission Health public and media relations manager Nancy Lindell said.
    Neal is a 30-year veteran of the healthcare industry, previously serving as CEO of Greenbrier Valley Medical Center in West Virginia and CEO of Berwick Hospital Center in Pennsylvania. Information provided by Mission Health noted that Neal helped rebuild the primary care physician base and led efforts to bring about significant improvements to Berwick Health Center prior to making the move to Highlands-Cashiers Hospital.
    Neal has an MBA from the University of Louisville and an MHA from California College of Health Sciences. His bachelor’s degree is from Regents College of New York.
    Tim Layman had been serving as the interim CEO of Highlands-Cashiers Hospital since Jackie Medland left for a new job opportunity in the Chicago area in July. Layman will remain with the company and return to his previous position, according to Lindell.
    “Tim was working at Angel Medical Center in Franklin when he was placed in the interim CEO role in Highlands,” Lindell said. “He did an excellent job in the interim and he will return to his former position.”
    Highlands-Cashiers Hospital, a member of Mission Health, is a community hospital serving Macon, Jackson and the surrounding counties. The 24-bed hospital offers emergency care, acute care, rehabilitation and long-term care via the adjoining 80-bed Eckerd Living Center.
    Mission Health operates six hospitals in Western North Carolina, including Highlands-Cashiers Hospital and Angel Medical Center. The company was purchased by HCA Healthcare in January.