Leadership

Chief Executive Officer

John McLain serves as chief executive officer (CEO), presiding over Starr Regional Medical Center’s two-hospital system with campuses in Athens and Etowah. In this role, McLain provides strategic, financial and operational oversight for both facilities, which employs more than 690 staff members and 20 providers.

Prior to joining Starr Regional Medical Center in August 2019, McLain served as CEO for healthcare facilities in Florida, Georgia and Tennessee, most recently serving as CEO for Bayfront Health in St. Petersburg, Fla. McLain is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Chief Nursing Officer

Ronald Hall is the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) of Starr Regional Medical Center. As CNO, Hall is responsible for developing and implementing Starr Regional’s overall nursing plan and patient care policies. Hall, a Board-Certified Nurse Executive, has more than 15 years of experience as a nursing leader, having served in leadership roles at multiple Tennessee hospitals.

Prior to joining Starr Regional as CNO, he served as associate chief nursing officer at Parkridge East Hospital in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Chief Financial Officer

As chief financial officer (CFO), David Alley is responsible for Starr Regional Medical Center’s overall financial reporting and budgeting. Alley joined Starr Regional in 2001. He was selected to take part in LifePoint Health’s Performing Leader Program (2008 – 2010) and has served as the Eastern Group representative for the LifePoint Health CFO Council (2011 – 2013).

Prior to his role at Starr Regional, Alley served as the controller of Redmond Regional Medical Center in Rome, Ga. Currently, he serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Athens-McMinn Family YMCA.

Chief Operating Officer

Dave Santoemma joined Starr Regional Medical Center as Chief Operating Officer (COO) in February 2022. In this role, Santoemma is responsible for providing oversight for financial performance, strategic planning and day-to-day operations of assigned departments.

Previously, Santoemma served as Associate Administrator at Saline Memorial Hospital in Benton, Ark., where he provided leadership support to hospital departments, including Environmental Services, Imaging, Laboratory, Pharmacy, Plant Operations, inpatient and outpatient therapy, and others; completed successful accreditations from The Joint Commission for the full hospital and laboratory; and sponsored multiple facility projects such as renovation of nursing floors, geriatric behavioral health unit, acute care rehab and pharmacy. Santoemma holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix in Phoenix, Ariz. He is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.