NASHVILLE — The Nashville General Hospital Authority Board’s CEO Performance and Search Committee recommended Veronica Elders for the permanent chief executive position on June 24, 2026. This recommendation is scheduled for presentation to the full hospital authority board on June 25, 2026.

Elders previously served as the interim CEO of Nashville General Hospital. She assumed this role after the hospital authority board voted not to renew former CEO Joseph Webb’s contract. Webb resigned following controversy surrounding audit findings.

David Esquivel chairs the Nashville General Hospital Authority Board’s CEO Performance and Search Committee. During the selection process, Dr. Keith Churchwell was also considered for the chief executive position. Dr. Churchwell is a cardiologist and a native of Nashville. He served as president of Yale New Haven Hospital and as an associate clinical professor of medicine at Yale School of Medicine. He is also the immediate past president of the American Heart Association.

Board member Dr. Raymond Martin indicated that Churchwell was his preferred candidate. However, Martin made the motion recommending Elders for the CEO position, stating, “Both finalists were exceptionally qualified.” Elders also previously served as the chief nursing officer of Nashville General Hospital. While interim CEO, Elders worked with Meharry Medical College to secure a professional services agreement, which allowed medical residents to continue clinical training at Nashville General Hospital.

Why It Matters

The recommendation for a permanent chief executive officer follows a period of interim leadership after the departure of the previous CEO. The appointment of Elders would establish long-term leadership for Nashville General Hospital. Elders secured a professional services agreement with Meharry Medical College while serving as interim CEO, impacting the continuation of clinical training for medical residents.