Former Dogwood Health Trust interim CEO Susan Mims selected for nonprofit's top role
Andrew Jones
Just more than a year after she became Dogwood Health Trust's interim chief executive officer, Dr. Susan Mims is now the permanent CEO of the nonprofit foundation formed from the $1.5 billion sale in 2018 of Mission Health to HCA Healthcare, based in Nashville, Tennessee.
“Our decision comes after carefully considering each candidate’s ability to foster and steer meaningful and effective collaborations with our partners," said Martha Tyner, co-char of the CEO search committee and Yancey County representative.
"Dogwood will continue to grow into its full potential to help everyone in our region live, learn, earn and thrive.”
A search committee appointed in September 2021 by Dogwood's board of directors conducted a five-month national search, retaining WittKieffer executive search firm to help with the process.
"WittKeiffer identified and researched more than 400 potential prospects before selecting 16 prospects for the search committee to evaluate," a Jan. 28 release on Mims' new role stated. "After significant due diligence, the committee selected four candidates to advance for final consideration."
Related:Who is receiving Dogwood Health Trust funding? Asheville nonprofit seeks public input
Mims garnered praise from other search committee members who lauded her leadership skills and commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of Western North Carolina citizens.
"I am truly honored to have been selected as Dogwood Health Trust’s next CEO,” Mims said in a statement. “Over the past year, I have been inspired by the commitment, creativity and willingness to work together that I’ve seen within Dogwood’s board and staff, and more importantly among a growing number of partners who share our commitment to dramatically improve health and wellbeing of all people and communities of Western North Carolina."
Mims took the interim CEO role after Antony Chiang stepped down in September 2020. Chiang had been in the CEO role for less than a year.
"I look forward to continuing to work with our community partners and with the strong team we have put in place over the past year, so that together we can ensure a healthier region for generations to come,” Mims said.
Mims has more than 20 years of experience in clinical and healthcare leadership, according to the release.
Before become Dogwood's interim CEO, Mims was as Chair of the Department of Community and Public Health at UNC Health Sciences at the Mountain Area Health Education Center.
Related:'My taxes on my home went up over $100K' Shiloh resident says of 'unjust' appraisals
Housing:WNC housing report: 125,000 live in poverty, many can't afford housing
Before that she served in numerous roles with the Mission Health network of WNC hospitals, including Mission Children's Hospital chief executive for more than a decade.
Mims has lived in the region since 2000 and once served as medical director with the Buncombe County Health Department.
Before the turn of the millennium, she was a physician in private practice Durham.
“(Mims) has been a tremendous asset to our organization, and we are thrilled that she will continue to lead Dogwood into the future,” said Dogwood Board Chair Janice Brumit.
Dogwood Health Trust is "a private foundation based in Asheville, North Carolina with the sole purpose of dramatically improving the health and wellbeing of all people and communities of 18 counties and the Qualla Boundary in Western North Carolina," according to the release.
Its strategic vision for 2022, outlined at dogwoodhealthtrust.org/strategic-priority the organization said it will be prioritizing housing, economic opportunity, education and health and wellness, with a focus on "dignity and opportunity for all."
Mims could not be reached for comment on Jan. 28.
Andrew Jones is Buncombe County government and health care reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow or reach him at @arjonesreports on Facebook and Twitter. Email him at arjones@citizentimes.com.