Leadership Team

Dr. Jessie L. Tucker III, FACHE

President & CEO

Dr. Jessie L. Tucker III, FACHE joined the UNC Health Wayne team as President & CEO in 2020. A retired Army Lieutenant Colonel that progressed from the rank of private over 24 years of military service, Dr. Tucker then led hospitals in Texas, New Jersey and Tennessee over the next 12 years before joining the team at UNC Health Wayne. He is a gubernatorial appointee to the NC State Health Coordinating Council, serves as a member of the Policy Development Committee and Chairman of the Eastern Regional Policy Council for the NC Healthcare Association, and is a Board member and Chair of the Quality Improvement and Safety Committee for the NC Healthcare Foundation.

During Dr. Tucker’s tenure as President & CEO, the UNC Health Wayne team has earned several historical firsts: a CMS 4-star quality rating, the highest score and number of consecutive Leapfrog “A” patient safety grades, stroke center as well as total hip & knee certification, chest pain center accreditation, best maternity hospital designation and the most physicians recruited in a 12-month period. Inpatient, outpatient and surgical services have grown through improved access, additional telemedicine specialties, the purchase of a second surgical robot and the highest ED, surgery, and outpatient satisfaction scores of the past decade.

Dr. Tucker and his wife of over 34 years, Dr. Patricia E. Kennedy-Tucker, live in Goldsboro and they have two children.

Mark Miller, MBA

Interim, Finance and Chief Financial Officer

Mark brings nearly three decades of healthcare finance leadership experience, with a strong background in hospital and health system operations. Most recently, he served as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer for UNC Health Care until he retired in 2022. Prior to that, he held senior finance leadership roles at Novant Health as Senior Vice President of Operational Finance and spent 10 years with Duke University Health System, including serving as CFO of Duke University Hospital and Durham Regional Hospital.

Earlier in his career, Mark worked with Arthur Andersen in Charlotte, focusing on healthcare audit and consulting. He holds an MBA from the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School and a Bachelor of Science from UNC Charlotte. He is a member of the Healthcare Financial Management Association.

Dr. Joel Rose, MD, FACS, FASMBS

Chief Medical Officer

At the core of Dr. Rose’s approach is a simple but powerful philosophy: treat patients as family, lead with honesty, and recognize that great outcomes are achieved together. He values collaboration, shared responsibility, and the support of interdisciplinary teams in delivering exceptional care.

Dr. Rose completed his undergraduate studies at Emory University, earned his medical degree from the University of Connecticut Health Center, and completed his General Surgery internship and residency at East Carolina University. He went on to complete a fellowship at Virginia Commonwealth University, focusing on advanced gastrointestinal and minimally invasive surgery.

Dr. Rose joins our team with an impressive background at UNC Health Lenoir, where he has been a dedicated member of the medical staff since 2015. During his time there, Dr. Rose made significant contributions to the General Surgery and Bariatric Services as the Medical Director for UNC Health Lenoir’s accredited bariatric program.

Katie Hile, DNP, RN

Chief Nursing Officer

Previously serving as our executive nursing director, Katie brings over 18 years of nursing experience, including 14 years of progressive leadership in emergency care, critical care, and acute care services. She joins us from Inova Fair Oaks Hospital in Virginia, where she led multiple clinical units and drove significant improvements in patient care, team engagement, and safety outcomes. Katie is passionate about building strong teams, supporting professional development, and enhancing the patient experience. Her leadership has been instrumental in achieving national recognition for nursing excellence and innovation.

Cathy Hedrick, RN, MSN

Assistant Chief Nursing Officer 

Cathy is a dedicated healthcare leader who plays an important role in supporting high-quality patient care and strengthening nursing services across our organization. As Associate Chief Nursing Officer, she works closely with nursing leaders and care teams to ensure patients receive safe, compassionate, and reliable care every day.

With a strong background in hospital operations and nursing leadership, Cathy helps guide key initiatives focused on clinical quality, workforce development, and patient experience. She is passionate about supporting and empowering nurses, fostering a positive work environment, and promoting continuous learning and professional growth.

Cathy collaborates with teams across the organization to enhance care delivery, improve outcomes, and ensure the needs of patients and families remain at the center of everything we do. Her commitment to excellence and teamwork helps drive forward our mission to serve the community with trusted, high-quality healthcare.