St. Mary's Health Care President and CEO Don McKenna announced that Montez Carter, current President of St. Mary's Good Samaritan Hospital and Vice President Operations of St. Mary's Health Care System, has been named to the position of President of St. Mary's Hospital.

Carter will oversee operations and strategy execution for St. Mary's Hospital.  McKenna will continue overseeing St. Mary's Health Care System, which includes hospitals in Athens, Greensboro and Lavonia as well as its large physician network, a regional home health care/hospice services agency, Highland Hills Village retirement community with assisted living and memory care, and numerous outpatient facilities.

"With our continued growth, we need to support our ministry in the most efficient and effective manner," McKenna said. "Montez has demonstrated his ability to lead with integrity, compassion and vision. His experience, knowledge of the communities we serve, and understanding of our Mission will support the continued growth of St. Mary's."

"I am excited about this new opportunity and look forward to working with Don, our Board, medical staff and colleagues in this new role," Carter said. "These are challenging times in the health care industry, but St. Mary's is well positioned to continue to expand the services we offer our community and elevate our already high level of quality and safety even further."

Carter grew up in Mississippi and worked in pharmacy before transitioning into hospital leadership. He joined St. Mary's in October 2010 as Vice President of Operations. Shortly thereafter, St. Mary's began negotiating to acquire the hospital in Greensboro, now known as St. Mary's Good Samaritan Hospital. Carter was tapped to lead the highly successful acquisition, integration, market development and construction of a modern replacement hospital.

St. Mary's Health Care System is part of the Trinity Health System ministry of care.