Keel to Lead Iuka, West Point Hospitals

Tupelo, Miss.—North Mississippi Health Services is pleased to announce that Barry Keel’s area of responsibility is expanding to include leadership of North Mississippi Medical Center-Iuka.

Keel, who joined NMHS in 2015 as administrator of North Mississippi Medical Center-West Point, assumed that role for NMMC-Iuka on Nov. 30.

“The leadership he has provided for the West Point hospital and the growth that it has experienced since his arrival made him an ideal fit for this role,” said Toby Butler, NMHS vice president of community hospitals.

He will work closely with Kathy Patrick, NMMC-Iuka chief nursing officer, and other members of the leadership team to manage the hospital’s day-to-day operations.

Keel, an Alabama native, worked at Bay Medical Center–Sacred Heart Health System, a 323-bed hospital in Panama City, Fla., where he served as chief executive officer before joining NMHS. He previously worked as the Alabama Market CEO for Health Management Associates. In addition, he has served as CEO with several Alabama and Tennessee hospitals.

Keel received his bachelor’s degree in health administration from Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama, and a master’s degree in health policy and administration from Mercer University in Atlanta, Georgia.

His recent community involvement includes serving as a member of the West Point Clay County Community Growth Alliance Board of Directors and the Boy Scouts of America Board of Directors. He is a member of the West Point Rotary Club and a former president of the Alabama Hospital Association Central Regional Council.