Leadership
Kelly Christie
Administrator/CEO
Kelly Christie serves as the Administrator/CEO for Jellico Regional Hospital. Upon assuming this role, Kelly was tasked with re-opening this longstanding community hospital possessing facility challenges and a history of struggles in attaining a sustainable business model. Kelly diligently worked to address numerous issues, re-open the hospital, and position the hospital for sustained success.
Prior to moving to Jellico, Kelly held leadership roles with wide-ranging responsibilities for two small health systems across the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Prior to that, Kelly led materials management operations for a 623-bed acute care hospital in downtown San Antonio. Prior to that, Kelly held supply chain leadership roles supporting several industries. Kelly attributes his diverse experience to helping bring a unique perspective and innovative solutions for healthcare.
Kelly enjoys the meaningful and impactful work within rural healthcare. Having grown up on a farm and ranch in the Texas panhandle, Kelly has also enjoyed the return to rural living with his family as residents of Jellico. Although Kelly appreciates the immense natural beauty in the Jellico area, he has been most impressed with the humility of the people within the Jellico community.
Darlene Ray
Director of Nursing RN, BSN, MSN
Darlene is the Director of Nursing at Jellico Regional Hospital and has many years of experience as a Registered Nurse and nursing leader. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Tennessee and her Master of Science in Nursing from Western Governors University. Darlene is a long-time resident of Campbell County and enjoys serving the community where she lives.
Prior to coming to Jellico Regional Hospital as DON, Darlene held the position of CNO at a rural hospital and found rural hospital work to be very rewarding and challenging. Prior to her rural hospital experience, Darlene worked most of her career as a Registered Nurse, Nurse Manager, and Director of Acute Care Services within a large hospital system.
Darlene’s career has been dedicated to patient-centered care, quality outcomes for patients, and providing a positive hospital experience for patients and their families. In addition to her passion for patient care, Darlene has been responsible for clinical, financial, and operational leadership of inpatient services.