Baptist Memorial Health Care Corp.

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Carol Thetford is the chief nursing officer for Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women and is responsible for day-to-day operations for all nursing areas. She has been with Baptist since 1980. Thetford joined Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women as nurse manager of the newborn intensive care unit in 1995. She also held a number of positions at Baptist Memorial Hospital-East (now Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis), including head nurse of the Newborn ICU and interim nurse manager of the pediatric department. Thetford earned a bachelor's degree in nursing from the Baptist School of Nursing in 1980. She was named one of the Top 100 nurses in Shelby County in 1995 and received the Nursing Excellence Award for Leadership in 2003.

As executive vice president and chief operating officer, David Hogan is responsible for the operations of the system's 14 hospitals, six medical clinics and home care agency. In 1967, Hogan received his bachelor's degree in business administration from Memphis State University. He went on to earn a master's degree in 1968. His Baptist career began as a personnel director in 1973 at Obion County General Hospital. In 1975, he became administrator of the hospital. Hogan joined the corporate leadership team in 1993 and assumed his current role in 1998. In 2003, Hogan received the Meritorious Service Award from the Tennessee Hospital Association. The award honored his tremendous contributions to the health care industry during his 30-year career at Baptist. He is also a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and served as past-president of the Memphis Hospital Council.

Jim Ainsworth, CEO of Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi in Oxford, also serves as vice president of regional operations for Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation. A University of Mississippi graduate, Jim Ainsworth began his Baptist career as a pharmacist at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Medical Center, working his way up to pharmacy director. He eventually was promoted to administrator and CEO of Baptist Medical Center, and in 2000, he was named vice president and head of regional operations for Baptist. Jim has served the Baptist system for almost four decades. His knowledge of health care in north Mississippi and his leadership ability will ensure the growth of quality care to the community.

Roger Brune's career at Baptist Memorial Health Care began in 2003, working in management training and helping to develop the Baptist Leadership Institute. He then served as human resources director at Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi in Oxford, Miss., from 2006-2008. Brune became the director of human resources at NEA Baptist in 2008. He is responsible for all human resources activities and also oversees the hospital's environmental services, food services and volunteer services. Before coming to Baptist, Brune was the human resources director at the Baptist Health System and Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock, Ark. He also was vice president of human resources at a food manufacturing company. Brune received his undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri and his master's degree in health administration from Webster University.

Walter J. Grace is an assistant administrator at Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto, a position he has held since 2003. Before becoming one of the hospital's assistant administrators, he was the controller for Baptist DeSoto. He came to Baptist DeSoto after serving as chief financial officer for Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women. Grace joined Baptist Memorial Health Care in 1997 as manager of capital planning. He holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Mississippi.

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After earning her Master's Degree in Health Services Administration from the University of Arkansas in 1994, Peyton Warrington joined the Baptist North Mississippi team as an Administrative Resident. Through the years she has served as Director of Physician Services and Director of Marketing and in 2001 was named Assistant Administrator. Currently, Peyton oversees all of the hospital support departments including Environmental Services, Food Services, Facilities and Biomed, Transportation and Security, Behavioral Health, Sleep, and Marketing. She is also responsible for the hospital's physician recruitment efforts where she has successfully recruited more than 50 physicians to the Oxford area. Peyton is married to Todd Warrington and they have one son, Davis. She is a member of the First Baptist Church in Oxford.

Rita Foster began her health care career at the School of Radiological Technology at the former Baptist Medical Center. In 1974, she was named director of radiology for Baptist Huntingdon. Foster has served in numerous roles within the facility and system, including director of outpatient services, Joint Commission and quality coordinator, as well as serving as the West Tennessee market coordinator for radiology and home care. Foster now holds responsibilities as administrative assistant and administrative director for home care and hospice, rehab and sports medicine and the hospital's HealthPlex. She also is operational director for occupational and industrial health, community services and sales and marketing. Foster is a certified managed care coordinator and is active in the community, serving as chairman of the Carroll County Health Council and as an executive board member of the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce. She has held office in the District V Tennessee Society of Radiological Technologists and served on the board of directors for the Tennessee Hospital Association Home Care Alliance. She has a bachelor's degree in management with a concentration in health services.