PRESS RELEASE:

Covenant Health has announced that David Bunch, chief executive officer of Community Health System’s Heritage Medical Center in Middle Tennessee, has been named president and chief administrative officer at Cumberland Medical Center in Crossville. He succeeds Jeremy Biggs, whom Covenant recently named as president and CAO of Methodist Medical Center in Oak Ridge. Bunch will assume his new responsibilities April 25.

“After a thoughtful search process, we are very pleased to welcome David Bunch to Covenant Health,” said Jim VanderSteeg, president and CEO. “His commitment to excellence at the hospitals he has served has led to better patient care, and aligns with Covenant Health’s mission of improving the quality of life in the communities we serve throughout East Tennessee and the Cumberland Plateau. We look forward to welcoming him to our administrative leadership team.”

Bunch has more than 12 years of experience as a hospital chief executive officer at various facilities operated by Community Health Systems, Mercy Health Partners, and Health Management Associates. During his tenure at Heritage Medical Center, Bunch had operational and administrative responsibilities for the 60-bed hospital, including strategic planning and physician recruitment. He successfully recruited a number of physicians to the facility, improved operational performance by over $1 million and significantly increased overall patient satisfaction scores. The facility was recognized by The Joint Commission as a top performer in core measures for three consecutive years.

Bunch had similar success as CEO at other hospital facilities including Jefferson Memorial Hospital, where he increased earnings and streamlined operations, improved patient and physician satisfaction scores, and received national recognition for excellence from Thomson Reuters and Becker’s Hospital Review.

“David’s focus on quality, operational efficiency, collaboration, and building positive relationships is consistent with our strategic goals for all of Covenant Health,” said Mike Belbeck, executive vice president of operations. “Cumberland Medical Center recently celebrated its 65^th anniversary and has new initiatives underway such as emergency room expansion and new collaborations in cardiac care. David will be an effective leader for Cumberland Medical Center as the hospital prepares for an exciting future.”

Jeremy Biggs, who has been CAO of Cumberland Medical Center for the past two years, agreed, adding, “Cumberland Medical Center is known for the important role it plays in providing excellent care to people in Crossville and the surrounding Cumberland Plateau region. David will find Cumberland’s physicians and employees to be dedicated professionals, and the surrounding community to be a welcoming and supportive environment.”

“The opportunity to work alongside the outstanding physicians and team members of Cumberland Medical Center is an honor. My belief in patient care and service excellence will blend well with the culture of Cumberland Medical Center and Covenant Health,” Bunch said.

Bunch holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Tennessee Wesleyan College and a master’s degree in health services administration from the University of Alabama – Birmingham. He has served on the Shelbyville/Bedford County Economic Development & Strategy Committee and the Jefferson County Economic Development Oversight Committee. Bunch is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives.

He and his wife, Jenna, have two sons, Joshua and Jacob. Bunch said he and his family are avid outdoor enthusiasts and find Cumberland County to be “a wonderful match to our lifestyle. We look forward to being a part of the Crossville and Cumberland County communities.”