Chad J. Brown, DrPH, MHA/MBA, FACHE

Chad J. Brown, DrPH, MHA/MBA, FACHEA health care executive with more than 25 years of leadership experience, Brown has extensive experience in successfully leading community hospitals, with a well-rounded background in investor owned, nonprofit, rural and academic health system settings. Brown joined Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Health in June 2014 as President of Davie Medical Center. Under his leadership, Davie Medical Center experienced tremendous growth and the hospital has won multiple state and national awards for quality, safety and patient experience. In February 2019, Brown also became President of Wilkes Medical Center, leading both medical centers to enhance services and promote health and wellness in their respective communities. Brown was appointed President of the South and West Areas in January 2024, and he now provides executive oversight for Lexington Medical Center and Wilkes Medical Center.

Prior to joining Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Brown served as CEO at Duke LifePoint – Person Memorial Hospital in Roxboro, NC. He was instrumental in integrating the hospital into the Duke LifePoint system, implementing programs that resulted in service line and volume growth, as well as enhancing quality and patient experience. Prior to that, Brown was Vice President of Operations at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center in Knoxville, TN. Brown began his career with HCA having completed their executive development program and later held various leadership roles in hospitals in Tennessee, Florida, Virginia and Texas. 

Brown earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee, a dual master's degree in health care and business administration from the University of Houston – Clear Lake, and an Executive Doctoral Degree in Health Leadership from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. As a community advocate and consensus builder, he has served on various local community boards and currently serves as Chair of the Wilkes Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Additionally, he serves on the North Carolina Healthcare Foundation Board – where he is fortunate to be a part of an organization helping to create healthier communities as a convener of change. Brown and his wife Jeannine have three adult children.