Ann Ashman, Past Board Chair, has served as a member of the Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees for over 14 years.  She is retired from LifeStore Insurance, an independent agency, where she spent 31 years as principal.  She received a Master’s in Psychology from San Francisco State University, and a BA in Psychology from Wake Forest University.  Ann is married to Ron Ashman, and has two sons.  Ann has also served on the boards of the Foothills Arts Council, Yadkin Valley Chamber of Commerce, Yadkin Valley United Fund, and the Elkin Public Library.  In retirement, she enjoys reading and hiking.

Bob Ball has served as a member of the Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees since the early 1980’s, in many roles, including Chair.    He is Partner, and has 20 years of experience as a General Appraiser and real estate Broker with Underdown Ball & Associates LLC. Prior to entering the field of real estate in 1999, Bob worked for Elkin Valley Apparel Co. Inc., a ladies sportswear design and manufacturer, which he assisted in starting in 1974, and served as President for the last 10 years of operation.  A graduate of North Carolina State University, Bob received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering.  Bob has also served on the boards of Surry Community College and the local advisory board of BB&T. He has also been involved with the Elkin/Jonesville Rotary Club as a member and Past President.

Dr. Murug Subbiah, Chief of Medical Staff, has been a member of the Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital Board since December 2020, and a member of the Medical Staff since 2004.  Dr. Subbiah is the Director of the HCMH Hospitalist Program, and has served on the Medical Executive Committee, Critical Care/Cardiopulmonary Care Committee, Stroke Committee, and is a member of the Family Practice/Internal Medicine Department.  He is married and has two children.

Crystal Morphis is Founder and CEO of Creative Economic Development Consulting, an entrepreneurial, innovative firm with a unique commitment to give back to the field of economic development.  Crystal has a Bachelor of Arts, major in economics, from Salem College and a Master of Science, major in economics, from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Crystal is a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD), regular instructor at the IEDC-accredited Basic Economic Development Courses at UNC-Chapel Hill and Georgia Tech, a licensed real estate broker, and a LEED Green Associate. She has published articles in IEDC’s Economic Development Journal and Community Development.

Cynthia Gonzalez, current Vice-Chair, has served as a member of the Board of Trustees of Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital since January of 2020.  Cynthia grew up in Southern California, and lives in Elkin with her family where she has a private Law Practice.  She received her undergrad from Salem College in Winston Salem, NC, and her Juris Doctorate from Charlotte School of Law, in Charlotte, NC.  Before attending Law School she worked as a medical interpreter for Wake Forest Baptist Health in the ED, Trauma Department and Brenner’s Children’s ED.  In addition to serving on the Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital board, Cynthia currently serves on the Elkin Grant Advisory Committee for The Winston-Salem Foundation, and as Treasurer of the Board of Directors for Grace Clinic.  She enjoys spending time outdoors with her family and two Schnauzers.  She and her husband enjoy hiking and visiting State Parks.

Dr. David A Ackerman has been a veterinarian for 35 years and is currently practicing veterinary medicine at the Animal Ark in Elkin. Prior to returning to practice David was the Laboratory Director of the Veterinary Diagnostic Lab for the NCDA in Elkin NC for 7 years. David and his wife Alison have lived in Elkin NC for the past nine years, and are active in the community.  Prior to moving to Elkin, he owned and operated a Veterinary Practice in Andrews NC for 23 years.  David is currently the Treasurer of the Board for the Surry County Farmers Market and periodically volunteers for ETVA. David is a board member on the Surry County Board of Public Health. David has been an avid beekeeper for the past 17 years.  When he is not working or volunteering he and his wife Alison spend time with their family and grandchildren or David is fishing, kayaking or hiking.

William A. “Bill” Johnson has served as a member of the hospital’s Board of Trustees
since 2017. He is a graduate of East Carolina University, has been in banking for 40 years
and also served as CFO for the Mount Airy-based general contractor, J. G. Coram
Company. He was a founding director of the Mount Airy, NC headquartered Surrey Bank
& Trust and later became a direct employee serving as the bank’s City Executive of its
expansion into Elkin, NC, Western Region Executive and Chief Lending Officer, the title
he held until the bank’s merger with First Community Bankshares in April 2023. Today he
serves as the Market Manager, Commercial Banking of FCB’s Mount Airy and Elkin
markets. He has been an active volunteer member of community organizations, serving
in various leadership roles on the boards of the Surry County Economic Development
Partnership, Yadkin Valley United Fund, Mount Airy Youth Foundation, Tri-County
Citizens Foundation; and a volunteer member of Elkin’s STEP for Small Business and
Explore Elkin’s Collaborative Group. When not working or volunteering, Bill enjoys going
to sporting events with his family, reading, and playing golf.

Dr. Myra S. Cox served as superintendent of the Elkin City School system from 2016-2023. After graduating from Surry Central High School she received an associate’s degree from Surry Community College and her undergraduate degree from Winston-Salem State University.  She has a master’s degree from Appalachian State University and graduated from High Point University with a doctorate in Educational Leadership.  Currently, she is employed part-time by Surry-Yadkin Works as a program assistant and Appalachian State University as a University Field Supervisor.  Dr. Cox and her husband, Denny, reside in Elkin.  Dr. Cox enjoys singing and traveling.

Elena Vasquez Thomasson has more than thirty-five years of corporate tax experience, including as International Corporate Tax Manager for US Airways and American Airlines, and as Senior Tax Associate with Arthur Andersen.  Most recently she worked for telecommunications firm Fusion Connect as Regulatory and Tax Manager.  She also previously served as an auditor for the states of Massachusetts and North Carolina.  A native of Peru, she has lived in this area and in northern Virginia since 1972.  Now retired, Elena spends her time managing the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program for Yadkin County to provide tax preparation assistance to elderly persons, volunteering with Rotary, and helping others in the community.

Mark Stephens has worked in the pharmaceutical/biotech industry with Pfizer and Global Blood Therapeutics for 26 years in various roles, including most recently in market access. He is a graduate of The Citadel, receiving a degree is BS Business Administration. Mark is a 2006 Leadership Charlotte graduate, 2009 graduate of Leadership North Carolina.  He has served on numerous boards, including Board Chair of MedAssist of NC, 2016 President of High Meadows Golf and Country Club, Chair of The Charlotte Chamber of Commerce Health Services Council, Alleghany Health Foundation Board Vice Chair, University of North Carolina at Charlotte College of Health and Human Services Board of Advisors Chair and South Carolina Association of Health Plans Foundation Board.

Mark and his wife Barbara reside in Charlotte and spend as much time as possible at their home in Roaring Gap. When he is not working or volunteering, Mark enjoys golf, reading, traveling and spending time with his family and daughter/son-in-law residing in Charlotte.

Kevin Austin is Vice President and Manufacturing Manager of Austin Electrical Enclosures, a second generation family owned business which employs around 150 people. He is a 1978 graduate of North Carolina State University with a BS in Engineering Operations. Kevin was elected as a Yadkin County Commissioner in 2008, and has served continuously since then including 14 years as Chairman of the Board. Kevin is a lifelong North Carolinian and is married with 2 children. He is active on many local, regional and statewide boards and committees. He recently completed the latest cohort of the Hunt Institute NC Elevate Forum examining higher education in North Carolina. Kevin also served on the Hugh Chatham Board from 2014-2019.

Paul Hammes brings 30+ years of healthcare experience to the role of Chief Executive Officer at Hugh Chatham Health, a nationally recognized independent community healthcare system based in Elkin, North Carolina. A Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives, Paul has served on numerous boards including: the North Carolina Healthcare Association; Caravan Health, Teleios Collaborative Network, Southern Atlantic Healthcare Alliance (chairman-elect), Mountain Valley Hospice (chairman), Alleghany Health, the Surry County Economic Development Partnership, the Yadkin Valley Chamber of Commerce (chairman), the Beaver College of Health Sciences Advisory Board at Appalachian State University, and on the American College of Healthcare Executives CEO Council.

In 2022, Hammes received the Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award and was named one of the Most Admired CEOs in the region by the Triad Business Journal through its annual C-Suite Awards. An Army veteran, Hammes completed a master’s in business administration from the University of Georgia where he has mentored graduate students. Paul and wife Dana, also a UGA graduate, are proud parents of Marie and Matthew. When not spending time with family, Paul enjoys playing guitar.

Paul has served as Chief Executive of Hugh Chatham Health since November 1, 2013.

Phil Harris has served as a member of the Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees since 2006.  Phil is a graduate of Elkin High School has BS degrees in both Economics and Business Administration from Pfeiffer University. He lives in Mountain Park with his wife Phyllis and has two sons and three grandsons.  Phil is the President of Harris Leather and Silverworks which manufactures custom saddles and silver. He is a Board member of the National Snaffle Bit Association (NSBA) and is currently serving as President of this national organization. He serves as a Deacon at Mountain Park Baptist Church, and he is also a Private Pilot. His hobbies include collecting classic muscle cars, flying and metal detecting.

Dr. Chris Groner grew up in Kansas City, and attended Dartmouth College, University of Kansas School of Medicine.  He completed his Family Medicine Residency at Bowman Gray/Baptist Medical Center, and is Board Certified in Family Medicine by the American Board of Family Medicine.  Dr. Groner is a Fellow of The American Association of Family Practice.  He practiced family medicine in Elkin from 1980 until retirement in December 2023.  Dr. Groner served at various times as Chief of Family Medicine, and Chief of the Medical Staff at Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital.  He also supervised the urgent care in Jonesville. During and after Covid, he practiced telemedicine with Teladoc.  Dr. Groner and his wife Debbie Carson, along with business partner Erik Dahalger, own The Reeves Theater.  He also serves on the Board of the Reeves Downtown School of Music.

Raymond A. Parker graduated from Jonesville High School in 1963, North Carolina State University in 1971 and Wake Forest School of Law in 1974.  He served four years in the United States Navy as an Air Traffic Controller.  He served on the Board of Trustees of Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital for several years, including two years as Board Chairman, before being named as General Counsel for the Hospital.  Mr. Parker is also Attorney for the Town of Elkin and serves as General Counsel for Surry Telecommunications, Surry-Yadkin Electric, Carolina West Wireless and Skyline Telephone.  Mr. Parker lives in Elkin with his wife, Susan.  They have two children and four grandchildren.

Chief Executive Officer

Paul Hammes brings 30+ years of healthcare experience to the role of Chief Executive Officer at Hugh Chatham Health, a nationally recognized independent community healthcare system based in Elkin, North Carolina. A Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives, Paul has served on numerous boards including: the North Carolina Healthcare Association; Caravan Health, Teleios Collaborative Network, Southern Atlantic Healthcare Alliance (chairman-elect), Mountain Valley Hospice (chairman), Alleghany Health, the Surry County Economic Development Partnership, the Yadkin Valley Chamber of Commerce (chairman), the Beaver College of Health Sciences Advisory Board at Appalachian State University, and on the American College of Healthcare Executives CEO Council.

In 2022, Hammes received the Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award and was named one of the Most Admired CEOs in the region by the Triad Business Journal through its annual C-Suite Awards. An Army veteran, Hammes completed a master’s in business administration from the University of Georgia where he has mentored graduate students. Paul and wife Dana, also a UGA graduate, are proud parents of Marie and Matthew. When not spending time with family, Paul enjoys playing guitar.

Paul has served as Chief Executive of Hugh Chatham Health since November 1, 2013.

Chief Operating Officer/Senior Vice President

Mary Blackburn brings more than 30 years of healthcare management experience to her roles as Chief Operating Officer at Hugh Chatham Health in Elkin, NC. HCH is an independent, 81 bed hospital with 24 physician practices and a large home health agency. Since joining HCH in 2007, she has held several positions, including Chief Practice Officer, VP for Growth and Market Development, Chief Clinical Officer and Acting CEO.

Mary has been at the forefront of HCH’s focus on sustainability through innovation, responsible for clinical services, provider recruitment, regulatory compliance and risk management, and strategic planning initiatives focused on growth and care transformation. This has included population health strategies such as partnering for care with local employers, establishing new access points for unscheduled care, and joining a multi-state accountable care organization.  HCH has forged various shared-services and programmatic partnerships including a joint venture with a tertiary partner to own and operate a critical access hospital.

A respected thinker and influencer in the field, Mary serves on numerous boards and currently is the board chair for the CHESS Value ACO and for the Strategic Partners Board of the North Carolina Healthcare Association.

Mary has extensive experience as a licensed emergency nurse.  As a U.S. Army Captain, she held leadership and clinical instructor roles at Fort Sam Houston, at Walter Reed Army Medical Center; and at Eisenhower Army Medical Center.  Mary is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Georgetown University and a Master of Science in Nursing from Duke University.  When not working, Mary is an avid reader, she is active in the community, and enjoys time with her husband and five children.

Chief Medical Officer

An Elkin native, Dr. Snyder is Board certified in Orthopedic Surgery and a Fellow in the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. He has over 15 years of experience as an operative Orthopedic Surgeon and 10 years in healthcare leadership serving as Chief Medical Officer at Hugh Chatham Health since 2021. He co-led the organizations COVID response and currently leads all operational components of the Hugh Chatham Medical Group across it’s regional ambulatory service area.   Prior to being named Hugh Chatham’s first Chief Medical Officer in 2021 he served in numerous organizational leadership roles focused on quality and efficient patient access and care.

In his current role he has continued as an operative Orthopedic Surgeon while influencing system wide decisions and performance.  Jonathan brings great vision, perspective and presence of mind to the organizations executive team, and serves in a pivotal role bridging the clinical and operational landscape, engaging providers and the entire organization in making their vision a reality.  Dr. Snyder led the organizations initiative in becoming one of only three facilities in North Carolina receiving Advanced Certification in Total Hip and Total Knee Replacement through the Joint Commission in 2023.

Dr. Snyder earned a biology degree with distinction at Duke University prior to completing medical school at Wake Forest University, then returning to Duke for a residency in Orthopedic Surgery. Dr. Snyder joined Tri-County Orthopedic and Sports Medicine, now Hugh Chatham Health Orthopedics, and the Hugh Chatham medical staff in 2009. He served as Chief of Surgery from 2014-2017 and as Chief of the Medical Staff 2018-2021.

When not working, Jonathan is an avid sportsman and traveler.  He is active in the community, and enjoys time with his family living in Elkin, NC.

Chief Financial Officer

Kevin May brings more than 39 years of healthcare finance, operations and administration experience to his role as Chief Financial Officer at Hugh Chatham Health.

Kevin has served on various community based boards including Junior Achievement, Johnstown (PA) Area Regional Industries and Talus Rock Girl Scout Council, and Appalachian State University Walker College of Finance, Banking & Insurance Advisory Board. In addition, Kevin was a Fellow in the Healthcare Financial Management Association.

Kevin has been a resident of Boone, NC since 2008 and spent 12 years at Appalachian Regional Healthcare System before coming to Hugh Chatham Health in 2023.