Forsyth Medical Center president Hutchens promoted to lead Novants Triad region

The latest transition of Novant Health Inc. regional leadership roles involves the June 1 promotion of Alisha Hutchens as Triad region president, the not-for-profit healthcare system said Friday.

Hutchens retains her duties as president of Forsyth Medical Center and Medical Park, which she was appointed to from an interim role in February 2025.

However, Novant said a search is under way for a new president for the two hospitals.

Meanwhile, Chris Bowe has been shifted from Triad president to Charlotte regional president.

In a third leadership move, Laurie Whalin has been appointed president of the Coastal Region, adding to her role as New Hanover Medical Center president. Bowe and Whalin also assumed their new duties June 1.

"With deep ties to these communities, each of these leaders will  keep  local needs at the center of focus, while allowing for continued strategic growth," said John Gizdic, Novant's chief operating officer.

"By aligning regional, clinical and enterprise leaders more closely, we are creating stronger connections and enabling agility across our system to drive remarkable, patient-centered care, ultimately strengthening how we serve our patients and communities."

Hutchens has more than 17 years of experience at Novant, including previously serving as president of Clemmons Medical Center and chief operating officer of Forsyth Medical Center.

Bowe has nearly 30 years of diverse healthcare experience, including as president of Advocate Health's Charlotte market.

Novant operates 19 hospitals systemwide, including Forsyth, Clemmons, Kernersville and Thomasville medical centers and Medical Park Hospital in Winston-Salem. Novant has nearly 40,000 employees, of which more than 8,200 are in Forsyth County as one of the Triad's largest employers.

In April, Novant gained N.C. health regulators' approval to open a community hospital in Monroe, one of the state's largest suburban communities. Novant plans to spend $346.1 million on a 32-bed hospital. Wesley Chapel Medical Center is projected to open in 2030.

Also in April, state health regulators approved Novant opening a 34-bed Asheville Medical Center. The $322.7 million hospital is slated to open in 2030.

The system has made public its aspirations of becoming the "Southeast's leading regional health system" beyond the Carolinas to include Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee primarily through acquisitions.

Novant's executive leadership is not bashful about touting the growth potential - from $10 billion in annual revenue currently to $30 billion - through hospital acquisitions.

Novant has been establishing a hospital or provider foothold in all six major South Carolina metro areas over the past two years through its "land & launch" acquisition strategy.

The highlight to date has been its $2.4 billion purchase of Hilton Head Hospital, Coastal Carolina Hospital in Hardeeville, S.C., and East Cooper Medical Center in Mount Pleasant, S.C.

Novant recently announced construction beginning on its community hospital in the Greenville, S.C., market.

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This story was originally published June 6, 2026 at 4:12 AM.