JONESBORO, Ark. — Craig Earley has been named administrator and CEO of NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital, Baptist Memorial Health Care announced in a series of leadership changes across its system.
Earley succeeds Sam Lynd, who is transitioning to serve as CEO of Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis, the organization’s flagship facility. Earley most recently held the position of chief operating officer at Baptist Memphis. Since joining Baptist Memorial Health Care in 2013 through its Frank Groner Administrative Fellowship Program, Earley has served in various leadership capacities throughout the system, including at NEA Baptist and Baptist Memphis. He holds master’s degrees in business administration and health administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Lynd, who steps into his new role in Memphis, joined Baptist Memorial in 2011 as part of the same administrative fellowship program. Over his 15-year tenure, he has held multiple leadership positions, including assistant administrator at NEA Baptist and Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union County in Mississippi. He also served as CEO of Baptist Memorial Hospital-Tipton, system service line administrator for emergency services, and chief operating officer at Baptist Memphis before becoming CEO of NEA Baptist.
Chris Anderson, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Baptist Memorial Health Care, said the leadership changes reflect the organization’s commitment to operational excellence, clinical quality, and mission-driven leadership.
The Jonesboro transition is part of a system-wide shift involving six promotions and one retirement. Baptist Memorial Health Care operates 25 affiliated hospitals across Arkansas, Tennessee, and Mississippi.