The Southeast Georgia Health System, Inc., Board of Directors has announced that Scott Raynes, MBA, MA will become the Health System’s new president and chief executive officer (CEO) in January 2022. He will succeed Michael D. Scherneck, who will retire after 18 years with the Health System, the last five as its president and CEO.
Raynes has served as president of Baptist Hospitals, Inc. and executive vice president of Baptist Healthcare Corp in Pensacola, Florida, since 2013, overseeing the operations of the organization’s five hospitals.
“Working closely with Gallagher Executive Search and Leadership Advisors, we conducted a national search and reviewed more than 90 candidates for the CEO position,” said Kay Hampton, chair, Southeast Georgia Health System, Inc. “We were extremely pleased and impressed with the quality of the applicants interested in leading our organization. Scott possesses a wealth of hospital experience, from strategic planning and operational oversight to patient-focused care and employee satisfaction. The board members, medical staff and leadership team participating in the selection process concluded that Scott is the best qualified candidate for our Health System, team members and community.”
Raynes stated, “Southeast Georgia Health System is an excellent organization that is positioned to meet the growing health care needs of the community. I am honored to be selected to lead the Health System and look forward to working with the excellent medical staff and team members to build on its long-standing legacy.”
Raised in West Virginia, Raynes earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from West Virginia Institute of Technology, his master’s degree in business administration with a specialization in health care from West Virginia University, and a master’s degree in higher education and counseling from Morehead State University.
During his tenure at the Baptist System in Pensacola, Raynes led Northwest Florida and South Alabama’s largest health system which includes five hospitals and residency and fellowship programs in orthopaedics, internal medicine, primary care, sports medicine, cardiology and anesthesia. The system is a national leader in patient satisfaction with over half of the hospitals in the U.S. visiting for advice and consultation.
Prior to his position at Baptist, Raynes served as president and CEO at NorthCrest Medical Center/NorthCrest Health System (Springfield, Tennessee), and as president and CEO at Preston Memorial Hospital (Kingwood, West Virginia). He’s also held leadership positions at HealthSouth Corporation (Huntington, West Virginia and Mid-Atlantic Regional), Montgomery General Health System, Inc. (Montgomery, West Virginia), and West Virginia University Health System (Charleston/Morgantown, West Virginia).
Raynes and his wife Shawnna have two daughters, Delaney, a first year medical student, and Ella, a high school senior. “Shawnna and I are excited to relocate to the Golden Isles and look forward to becoming an integral part of the community,” said Raynes.
Raynes is a past president of the Tennessee Hospital Association and a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. He has served on many local boards of directors and held volunteer roles in communities where he has lived.
