Sparks and Summit Announce New CEO

Health Management Associates of Naples, Fla., has announced Charles Stewart as the new CEO of Sparks Health System in Fort Smith and Summit Medical Center in Van Buren.

Stewart, an Alabama native, was most recently the CEO of HMA hospitals Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center and Twin Rivers Medical Center in Missouri for the past two years.

HMA has a portfolio that includes 71 hospitals in 15 states. In July, it was announced Community Health Systems Inc. of Franklin, Tenn., would acquire HMA in a deal worth $3.9 billion.

When the deal is finalized, Community Health will operate about 206 hospitals in 29 states with more than 31,000 beds.

Stewart has 30 years of experience in hospital management, which includes administrative and executive positions at hospital systems in Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi and North Carolina.    

Hugh Maurras, president of Sparks Health System’s board of trustees, said in a press release he is impressed with Stewart’s commitment to servant leadership.

“Charles Stewart has won many awards for his service, not only to groups like Masons and Rotary Club, but also to the American College of Healthcare Executives and several Chambers of Commerce,” he noted. “He will be a benefit to our community.”