Starr Regional Medical Center Earns Top Honors from Lifepoint Health

Starr Regional Medical Center, a part of Lifepoint Health, recently earned top awards for operations excellence at the organization’s annual awards ceremony held on February 24, 2026. The hospital’s chief executive officer John McLain was also recognized with a top leadership award.

Starr was one of five facilities across Lifepoint Health that earned the 2025 Operations Excellence Award for demonstrating a strong commitment to and measurably improving the following areas last year – quality improvement, service line growth, talent and workforce development and engagement, financial performance and strengthening the facility’s role in the community.

The award was accepted by hospital leaders John McLain, chief financial officer David Alley and chief nursing officer Debbie Vaughn.

“Starr Regional Medical Center is proud to receive this award, which highlights our entire team’s commitment to continuous growth and advancement as we work to provide a higher level of care for our patients in Athens, Etowah and the surrounding region,” said John McLain, chief executive officer of Starr Regional Medical Center. “We are energized by the progress made in 2025 and excited for the opportunities ahead in 2026.”

In addition to the hospital award, McLain was presented with the Fleetwood Award, awarded annually to a hospital leader who exemplifies the values and spirit of Lifepoint Health’s former chief executive officer, the late Jim Fleetwood. Fleetwood believed that it was important to lead by example and inspire others to achieve their goals, even during challenging times. McLain was recognized for embodying many of the admirable qualities that Fleetwood possessed, including a leadership style that emphasizes collaboration and upholds high standards, the desire and ability to build strong relationships with hospital employees and physicians, strength of judgment and character and exemplary service to the community.

“The hospital has made great strides over the past year in delivering high quality patient care, expanding access to services and developing the next generation of healthcare leaders – all while advancing our mission of making communities healthier,” said Jason Zachariah, president and chief operating officer of Lifepoint Health. “John is the definition of a steady and thoughtful leader who lifts up others and inspires those around him, while keeping Lifepoint’s mission, vision and values at the forefront of everything he does. We are very proud to recognize the Starr team and John with these well-deserved awards.”