Seasoned healthcare leader selected as new chief financial officer to serve Wise, Lee and Dickenson counties

Ballad Health has selected Phillip Childree to serve as the new chief financial officer for the health system’s hospitals in Wise, Lee and Dickenson counties. He succeeds the role previously held by Steve Sawyer, who retired in December 2023.

With more than two decades of extensive experience in healthcare finance, materials management and revenue cycle, Childree is based at Norton Community Hospital, overseeing operations for that facility, as well as Lonesome Pine Hospital, Lee County Community Hospital and Dickenson Community Hospital.

In his new role, Childree will be responsible for developing and implementing financial strategies tailored to the Southwest Virginia market, including demographic considerations and specific healthcare needs of the community. This includes managing budgetary processes, optimizing revenue cycles and identifying cost-effective solutions to enhance operational efficiency. Additionally, Childree will collaborate with local leadership to navigate regulatory compliance and establish financial practices that prioritize the long-term viability of each community hospital within Wise, Lee and Dickenson counties.

“We are excited to have Phillip join our leadership team,” said Shannon Showalter, chief executive officer for Ballad Health operations in Wise, Lee and Dickenson counties. “His proven track record and wealth of experience in healthcare finance make him a valuable addition to Ballad Health. We are confident his leadership will significantly contribute to the success of our financial operations and enhance the overall quality of healthcare we provide to our community."

Originally from Dothan, Alabama, Childree relocated his family to Southwest Virginia for his new position. He has held multiple leadership roles, ranging from director to chief financial officer, showcasing his proficiency in addressing financial and non-financial challenges. Childree most recently served as the market chief financial officer at Flowers Hospital and Medical Center Enterprise in Enterprise, Alabama, from 2021 to 2023, where he played a pivotal role in reducing operational expenses and exhibited leadership in the establishment of a 10-swing bed unit in 2022.

"I am honored and excited to join Lee, Wise and Dickenson counties as their chief financial officer,” said Childree. “I look forward to contributing to the continued success of Ballad Health in Southwest Virginia, focusing on staff training, patient satisfaction and employee engagement. I hope to leverage my expertise to ensure the financial well-being of the hospitals I represent, and I’m committed to collaborating closely with hospital leadership to optimize financial processes and implement strategic initiatives that uphold the highest standards of fiscal responsibility for the benefit of the communities we serve."

Childree’s background also includes tenure as the chief financial officer at Kershaw Medical Center in South Carolina and Newport Medical Center in Newport, Tennessee. He holds a master's degree in accounting and a bachelor's degree in accounting and business administration, both from Troy University.

“Phillip Childree will be a great addition to the leadership team in Lee, Wise and Dickenson counties,” said Sean Mills, who serves as chief financial officer for Ballad Health’s Northern Region, which includes those counties. “His expertise in both investor-owned and private healthcare, coupled with a dedication to staff training and patient satisfaction, reinforces the health system's values. His wealth of experience and commitment to excellence align with our mission, and I’m sure he will have a promising impact on both our financial operations and the overall patient experience across Lee, Wise and Dickenson counties."