D. Montez Carter, FACHE, president of St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens, was named chair-elect of the Board of Trustees of the Georgia Hospital Association. He will succeed current chair Steven L. Gautney, president of Crisp Regional Hospital in Cordele. Carter will lead the Board in developing strategies for GHA hospital members, advocating for the highest quality care for patients, and supporting adequate reimbursement for hospitals.

Carter has served as president of St. Mary’s Hospital since March 2017. He is responsible for all aspects of the hospital’s quality, operational and financial performance as well as ongoing foundation efforts. Prior to serving in this position, he was president of St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital. During his tenure there, Carter was integral to the process of building a modern replacement hospital. He also managed a number of significant accomplishments, including the purchase of the region’s first 64-slice CT scanner, a vital tool in heart and stroke diagnostic imaging; the growth of services and medical staff; and enhanced stroke care through a partnership with Georgia Regents University in Augusta.

Carter came to St. Mary’s from Greenwood Leflore Hospital in Greenwood, Miss., where he served first as director of pharmacy services and then as associate director of performance improvement and patient support services.

“Montez Carter’s health care experience has had far-reaching positive effects for patients and communities locally and statewide,” said GHA President and CEO Earl Rogers. “He brings a wealth of knowledge to our Board and we look forward to his leadership.”

Carter is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. He earned a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala., and his doctoral degree in pharmacy from the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Miss.