New CAO named at Cumberland Medical Center

Bunch.
Bunch.

CROSSVILLE – Covenant Health has announced that David Bunch has been named president and chief administrative officer at Cumberland Medical Center in Crossville. He succeeds Jeremy Biggs, whom Covenant recently tapped as president and CAO of Methodist Medical Center in Oak Ridge. Bunch will assume his new responsibilities April 25.

Bunch currently serves as chief executive officer of Community Health System’s Heritage Medical Center in Shelbyville and has more than 12 years of experience as a hospital chief executive officer at various facilities operated by Community Health Systems, Mercy Health Partners, and Health Management Associates.

“After a thoughtful search process, we are very pleased to welcome David Bunch to Covenant Health,” Jim VanderSteeg, president and CEO, said in a release. “His commitment to excellence at the hospitals he has served has led to better patient care, and aligns with Covenant Health’s mission of improving the quality of life in the communities we serve throughout East Tennessee and the Cumberland Plateau. We look forward to welcoming him to our administrative leadership team.”

During his tenure at Heritage Medical Center, Bunch had operational and administrative responsibilities for the 60-bed hospital, including strategic planning and physician recruitment. He successfully recruited a number of physicians to the facility, improved operational performance by over $1 million and significantly increased overall patient satisfaction scores. The facility was recognized by The Joint Commission as a top performer in core measures for three consecutive years.

Bunch had similar success as CEO at other hospital facilities including Jefferson Memorial Hospital, where he increased earnings and streamlined operations, improved patient and physician satisfaction scores, and received national recognition for excellence from Thomson Reuters and Becker’s Hospital Review.

“The opportunity to work alongside the outstanding physicians and team members of Cumberland Medical Center is an honor. My belief in patient care and service excellence will blend well with the culture of Cumberland Medical Center and Covenant Health,” Bunch said.

Biggs.
Biggs.

Biggs has served as CAO of Cumberland Medical Center for the past two years and helped transition the hospital into the Covenant Health System following its 2013 takeover. His appointment at Methodist Medical Center was effective April 1.

Covenant leaders say Bunch will help lead new initiatives such as a $6.3 million emergency room expansion and new collaborations in cardiac care. Cumberland Medical Center recently celebrated its 65th anniversary.

“David’s focus on quality, operational efficiency, collaboration, and building positive relationships is consistent with our strategic goals for all of Covenant Health,” said Mike Belbeck, executive vice president of operations. “David will be an effective leader for Cumberland Medical Center as the hospital prepares for an exciting future.”

Bunch holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Tennessee Wesleyan College and a master’s degree in health services administration from the University of Alabama – Birmingham. He has served on the Shelbyville/Bedford County Economic Development & Strategy Committee and the Jefferson County Economic Development Oversight Committee. Bunch is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives.

He and his wife, Jenna, have two sons, Joshua and Jacob. Bunch said he and his family are avid outdoor enthusiasts and find Cumberland County to be “a wonderful match to our lifestyle.  We look forward to being a part of the Crossville and Cumberland County communities.”

Liz Engel is the editor of the Upper Cumberland Business Journal. She can be reached at liz@ucbjournal.com

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