December 16, 2021

Marshall Medical Centers announces new president

Roy Rollings, chairman of the Marshall County Healthcare Authority, and Jeff Samz, CEO of the Huntsville Hospital Health System, are pleased to announce a new president has been named to succeed Cheryl Hays, who is retiring after 23 years at Marshall Medical Centers.  Chris Rush, currently vice president of the Physician Network for the Huntsville Hospital Health System, will become the Medical Centers’ next president. 

Rush has an extensive background in hospital administration and finance – including serving as the CEO/Administrator of Rush Health Systems, Inc. in Meridian, Mississippi – a hospital founded by his great grandfather.  He is a graduate of Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and received a master’s degree in International Relations and a master’s in Business Administration from American University in Washington, DC.  Currently, Rush oversees the operations and practice management for more than 200 physician practices across 30 locations for the Huntsville Hospital Health System.

Samz stated, “Marshall Medical Centers has a long-standing legacy of exceptional leadership.  We are excited to have someone with Chris’ background and experience to direct the continuing growth and expansion of healthcare services in Marshall County.”

 “Marshall Medical Centers has been extremely fortunate to have had Cheryl Hays at the helm of leadership for the health system during an unprecedented public health crisis.   She has done an outstanding job of navigating unchartered territory in order to bring the resources and health services to our community,” stated Roy Rollings.  “We wish Cheryl and her family many happy, healthy years of retirement.”

A timeline for the transition has not yet been determined, but is expected to take place early in 2022.