Leadership
Russell Baxley MHA | President & Chief Executive Officer
Russell Baxley has served as President and CEO of Beaufort Memorial since September 2016. Before joining Beaufort Memorial, he was CEO of Lancaster Regional Medical Center in Pennsylvania, a 213-bed facility with comprehensive services including psychiatric care, oncology, cardiology, orthopedics, and a 100+ provider physician group.
At Beaufort Memorial, Mr. Baxley has led transformative growth to expand access and elevate quality of care. Major initiatives under his leadership include the construction of two state-of-the-art cancer centers, a 70,000-square-foot medical office complex in Okatie, the launch of three urgent care clinics, and the reopening of a renovated birthing center. He also spearheaded the development of the BMH Care Anywhere telehealth platform and expanded services to include advanced orthopedics, robotic-assisted surgeries, non-emergent heart procedures (PCIs), and enhanced mental health offerings such as ECT and TMS.
His strategic partnerships have brought in-home care through Amedisys Home Health and forged collaborations with local schools to support clinical education and workforce development. Since his arrival, Beaufort Memorial has recruited more than 50 primary care and specialty providers.
During his tenure, the hospital has earned several “A” safety grades from The Leapfrog Group, top national rankings for quality and patient safety, and The Joint Commission’s highest accreditation for hip and knee replacement.
A native of Johnsonville, S.C., Mr. Baxley holds a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from Clemson University and a Master of Healthcare Administration from the University of South Carolina. He previously held executive roles in hospitals across South Carolina and Texas and directed operations for a large family medicine practice in Columbia, S.C.
He is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and is active in professional and community organizations. Mr. Baxley lives in Beaufort with his wife, Stephanie, and their children.
Christine Markowitz CPA | Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
Christine Markowitz serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Beaufort Memorial, bringing more than 30 years of experience in healthcare finance and leadership
In her role, she oversees the financial health of the organization through strategic planning, operational efficiency and collaboration with both internal leaders and external partners to ensure long-term stability and growth for Beaufort Memorial.
Before her move to the Lowcountry, Mrs. Markowitz held the role of Market CFO for two medical campuses in Virginia. With a Bachelor of Science in Commerce from the University of Virginia, she has also spent more than a decade holding progressive leadership roles as CFO of multiple hospitals.
Passionate about supporting the needs of a rapidly growing region, she is focused on securing Beaufort Memorial's financial future with a strong, sustainable approach.
Karen Carroll DNP, MSN, RN, NEA-BC | Vice President of Patient Care Services & Chief Nursing Officer
Karen Carroll serves as Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer at Beaufort Memorial, where she has dedicated more than 45 years to advancing nursing practice and patient care, 25 of those years as the CNO. In her role, she oversees all inpatient nursing units, surgical services, emergency care, the Wound Care Center, the Keyserling Cancer Center, and the Department of Education.
Dr. Carroll earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from the Medical University of South Carolina and holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Conn. She is an alumna-certified Critical Care Nurse and currently certified as a Nurse Executive, Advanced (NEA-BC). She also contributes her expertise as a member of the University of South Carolina–Beaufort Nursing Advisory Board and the South Carolina Workforce Advisory Committee.
Throughout her tenure, Dr. Carroll has been instrumental in the development and implementation of numerous programs that have strengthened clinical excellence and nursing leadership at Beaufort Memorial. These include the Preceptor Program, the People Achieving Their Highest (PATH) program, centralized staffing initiatives, and the hospital’s Shared Governance structure to support participative management.
Her visionary leadership has also guided the establishment of several key service lines at Beaufort Memorial, including the Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit, the Wound Care Center, and the Breast Health Center. Under her direction and in collaboration with nursing staff, Beaufort Memorial became the first hospital in South Carolina to earn the Pathway to Excellence® designation, recognizing its commitment to creating a positive and supportive practice environment for nurses.
Kurt Gambla D.O. | Vice President & Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Kurt Gambla was appointed Beaufort Memorial’s first Vice President and Chief Medical Officer in June 2014, after serving the community as an internist at Beaufort Memorial Primary Care for 24 years. In his role as CMO, he acts as a key liaison between the medical staff and hospital administration, championing high-quality, cost-effective patient care across the organization.
Dr. Gambla plays a central role in shaping the hospital’s clinical direction, collaborating with physicians to develop and enhance clinical protocols, improve patient care services, and support strategic expansion efforts. He also leads physician recruitment initiatives to ensure the continued growth and strength of Beaufort Memorial’s medical staff.
A graduate of the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr. Gambla began his career with Beaufort-Jasper-Hampton Comprehensive Health Services before spending six years in private practice. He joined Beaufort Memorial Primary Care in 1999, where he provided compassionate care for more than two decades. For 16 years, he also served as hospice director for THA Healthcare.
Dr. Gambla has long been active in hospital governance, bringing a deep understanding of both clinical practice and organizational leadership. He has served on nearly a dozen hospital committees and held the position of Chief of Staff from 2003 to 2005. As Chair of the Credentials Committee, he oversaw the evaluation and approval process for physicians seeking hospital privileges, ensuring high standards of care and professionalism.
He and his wife, AnneMarie, a case manager at Beaufort Memorial, are proud parents of four children.
Shawna Doran MSN | Vice President of Quality Services
Shawna Doran was named Vice President of Quality Services at Beaufort Memorial in 2017, bringing deep clinical knowledge and a strong foundation in healthcare compliance to the role. She leads the strategic planning and execution of the hospital’s quality, patient safety, risk management, and patient experience initiatives.
Previously, Mrs. Doran served as the hospital's Corporate Director of Quality, during which time Beaufort Memorial earned several prestigious national awards for quality and patient safety. Her leadership has been instrumental in advancing the hospital’s commitment to delivering high-reliability care and improving patient outcomes.
Prior to her current leadership role, Mrs. Doran served as Quality Coordinator for the Surgical Services Department, where she played a critical role in launching the hospital’s percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) program. This milestone allowed Beaufort Memorial to perform life-saving emergency cardiac procedures on-site. In its first year, the program was nationally recognized for excellence in cardiac care by both the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association.
Mrs. Doran began her career at Beaufort Memorial in 2004 as a registered nurse in the Progressive Care Unit. Before transitioning to healthcare, she spent 15 years as a paralegal specializing in hospital law, professional liability, and regulatory compliance—experience that continues to inform her work in patient safety and risk management.
She holds a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from Walden University and is an advocate for data-driven care, continuous quality improvement, and fostering a culture of safety across all levels of the organization. She and her husband, Brett, live in Beaufort and have two adult children.
Tina Jackson Vice President of Human Resources & Chief People Officer
Named Beaufort Memorial's first Chief People Officer, Tina Jackson oversees and manages operations and initiatives that impact employee experience and company culture.
As a leader in healthcare human resources for more than 20 years, Mrs. Jackson has successfully led large-scale initiatives for recruitment, employee engagement, leadership development and workforce relations, including her most recent position that provided strategic and operational human resources leadership for several organizations.
Her vast experience will help shape Beaufort Memorial's strategy for the ongoing development of a superior workforce, further developing the organization's philosophy, approaches and policies on compensation, benefits, recruitment, employee relations, employee services and counseling, employee safety, welfare, wellness and health training initiatives.
She also leads collaborations in the community with groups such as local schools, colleges and other non-profit and civic organizations.
Chris Ketchie MHA | Vice President of Physician Services
Christopher Ketchie is a seasoned healthcare administrator with extensive experience in leading multispecialty medical groups. Since 2016, he has served as vice president of physician services at Beaufort Memorial, where he oversees Beaufort Memorial Physician Partners—the region’s largest multispecialty group, encompassing 28 practices and over 120 providers across Beaufort and Jasper counties.
Before joining Beaufort Memorial, Mr. Ketchie held a similar leadership role with Lancaster Medical Group/Community Health Systems in South Central Pennsylvania, managing a 32-practice medical group.
Mr. Ketchie began his career in the U.S. Navy as a medical service corps officer. His assignments included leadership roles at the Naval Health Clinic in Great Lakes, Ill., and Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C. Notably, he served as assistant director for administration at Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune and as executive officer for the 2D Medical Battalion Charlie Surgical Company.
A North Carolina native, he earned a bachelor's degree in Health Promotions and Biology from Appalachian State University and a master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from the University of South Carolina. He and his wife, Caitlyn, live in Beaufort with their three children.
Allison Coppage JD, CHC | Associate Vice President of Corporate Compliance, Privacy, and Contracting
Allison Coppage is the Associate Vice President of Corporate Compliance, Privacy, and Contracting at Beaufort Memorial, where she has served since 2017. She leads the organization’s efforts to ensure full compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, providing strategic oversight of all service agreements and contractual matters.
Mrs. Coppage earned her undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina and her Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law. She began her legal career as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Carmen Mullen before serving as Deputy County Attorney for Beaufort County, where she gained extensive experience in public sector law and governance.
A certified professional in healthcare compliance, Mrs. Coppage is an active member of the Health Care Compliance Association. She also contributes to the legal and healthcare communities through her service on the South Carolina Bar Association’s Health Law Committee, the South Carolina Hospital Association, and the Land Committee for the Beaufort County Open Land Trust.
Committed to public service and community engagement, Mrs. Coppage resides in Beaufort with her husband, Ben, a local attorney. Together, they are raising two children.
Courtney Smith Associate Vice President of Operations
Courtney Smith serves as the Associate Vice President of Operations at Beaufort Memorial, a role she has held since 2023. In this position, she provides strategic oversight of operational functions across the health system, leading initiatives that enhance efficiency, improve patient outcomes, and elevate the overall quality of care.
Mrs. Smith joined Beaufort Memorial in 2019 as Director of Special Projects, where she quickly emerged as a key driver of innovation and long-term planning. She led the development of the Preoperative Assessment Clinic (PAC), which has become a cornerstone of the hospital’s Total Joint Program by improving surgical outcomes through comprehensive patient preparation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she played a central role in the planning and launch of the BMH Vaccine Clinic, which administered more than 25,000 vaccines and earned the Sea Island Rotary's “Ethics in Business” award.
Her leadership also led to the expansion of the hospital’s Pulmonary/Critical Care outpatient practice and the Pediatric Hospitalist Program, as well as the establishment and growth of the Patient Transportation Program, which has provided more than 3,900 free rides to medical appointments.
Before joining Beaufort Memorial, Mrs. Smith spent 12 years with Eli Lilly & Co., where she earned a Six Sigma Green Belt and served on the company’s National Six Sigma Team, collaborating with hospitals nationwide to improve clinical outcomes and operational performance.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Georgia and is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives. A proud resident of the Lowcountry, Mrs. Smith lives with her husband, Canada, and is the mother of three grown children.
Kimberly Yawn MS | Associate Vice President & Chief Development Officer
Kimberly Yawn was appointed Associate Vice President and Chief Development Officer of Beaufort Memorial in 2022, where she leads the operations and fundraising efforts of the Beaufort Memorial Hospital Foundation. In this role, she collaborates with hospital leadership, the Foundation’s board, and community donors to support strategic funding priorities that enhance patient care and advance the hospital’s mission.
Since joining Beaufort Memorial in 2009, Mrs. Yawn has held a variety of leadership positions across the organization. Prior to her current role, she served as Director of LifeFit Wellness Services, where she managed a broad scope of programs including the hospital’s medically supervised wellness center, diabetes education, nutrition services, employee wellness, community health outreach, cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, and mobile wellness unit operations. She also partnered with local employers through the Well at Work program to promote preventive care and workplace wellness and chaired the hospital’s employee engagement committee.
Widely recognized for her strategic vision, collaborative leadership style, and ability to bring cross-functional teams together, Mrs. Yawn has played a pivotal role in advancing hospital initiatives. Under her leadership, the Foundation has secured major funding, including a $1.9 million grant for a Crisis Stabilization Unit in the Emergency Department, $500,000 for a virtual nursing pilot program, and over $1 million to support workforce development initiatives at Beaufort Memorial.
Mrs. Yawn holds both a Master of Science and a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Georgia Southern University. She and her husband, Travis, live in Beaufort with their two children.
