Rod Harkleroad to Step Down as Leader of Frye Regional Medical Center

Healthcare executive to relocate in July after two years at Frye Regional; a national search for a replacement is underway

HICKORY, NC (June 15, 2022) – Frye Regional Medical Center, a Duke LifePoint Healthcare hospital, today announced that Rod Harkleroad, CEO, will step down from his role, effective July 8, 2022. Harkleroad, who has been with Frye Regional since 2020, has been promoted to Market President of HighPoint Health System, a large LifePoint market spanning middle Tennessee. Chris Brown, COO, will assume the role as interim CEO, and a national search for a permanent leader has been initiated. 

“The decision to leave my role at Frye Regional was a very difficult one, but the right one for me and my family,” Harkleroad said. “I am honored to have been part of Frye Regional and Hickory for the last two years. Frye Regional has a wonderful team of dedicated employees, physicians and volunteers with a genuine commitment to advancing the health of this region. I am proud to have been able to call myself one of them and confident that they will continue to flourish and thrive long after my departure.”

Harkleroad has served as CEO of Frye Regional since June 2020. Prior to this role, he was CEO of Haywood Regional Medical Center, a Duke LifePoint Healthcare hospital in Clyde, North Carolina and as CEO of Riverview Regional Medical Center and Trousdale Medical Center, both part of HighPoint Health System, a regional healthcare system in Tennessee.

“Rod’s departure is a bittersweet one,” said John delCharco, MD, chair of the Frye Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees. “While we are pleased to see him stay within the LifePoint family, we are disappointed to lose such a fantastic leader at Frye. The board looks forward to working with Duke LifePoint on the search for the best executive to fill Rod’s shoes and ensure the success of Frye Regional for generations to come.”

Under Harkleroad’s leadership, Frye Regional has recruited several new physicians to the hospital and region, including specialists in neurosurgery, cardiothoracic surgery and orthopedics. In March, the hospital’s affiliated medical group FryeCare Physicians Network announced a new partnership with Lenoir-Rhyne Athletics. Additionally, Frye Regional was recently recognized by the Leapfrog Group with an “A” 2022 Hospital Safety Grade, placing the facility among the top tier of hospitals across the country when it comes to patient safety.

“Our team is dedicated to supporting Frye Regional through this transition,” said Jamie Carter, FACHE, Eastern Division President for LifePoint Health. “This hospital has many great initiatives underway, and we are committed to ensuring that its team has the support and resources they need to continue their positive momentum and find new ways to grow and advance our mission of Making Communities Healthier.”