WellStar Health System Executive and Leadership Team

September, 2026

Leadership Overview

WellStar Health System has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, marketing, operations, and financial management.

Committed to community wellness, WellStar Health System delivers comprehensive medical services through a vast network of hospitals, urgent care centers, and specialized hospice facilities across the region.

Leadership Roles at WellStar Health System

  • President & Chief Executive Officer - Ketul Patel
  • Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer - Marcia Turner
  • Vice President & Chief Financial Officer - Felix Soto
  • Executive VP & Chief Financial Officer - John Kerndl
  • Vice President & Chief Financial Officer - Meredith Bass
  • Chief Operating Officer - Bryce Sillyman
  • Vice President & Chief Operating Officer - Frank Carpenter
  • Vice President, Chief Operating Officer - Victoria Dune-Chari
  • Chief Operating Officer, Wellstar Cobb Medical Center - Geoffrey Christian
  • Chief Marketing Officer - David Preston
  • Ketul Patel - President & Chief Executive Officer

    Ketul Patel, the President & Chief Executive Officer at WellStar Health System, directs the overarching strategic vision for this expansive not-for-profit network. Overseeing the integration of hospitals, physician groups, and homecare services, the President & Chief Executive Officer ensures consistent delivery of high-quality patient care across the Georgia market. This leadership role involves constant collaboration with the Board to align clinical outcomes with long-term financial sustainability. By optimizing the operational efficiency of the entire system, Ketul Patel drives significant improvements in regional healthcare accessibility. The President & Chief Executive Officer maintains a focus on expanding the reach of the WellStar Foundation to support underserved populations. Through rigorous oversight of all clinical and administrative departments, Patel secures the future of the organization as a premier provider of medical services, ensuring that every facility meets the highest standards of excellence and patient safety.
    Ketul Patel

    Marcia Turner - Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer

    Marcia Turner, the Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer at WellStar Health System, directs the fiscal strategy and capital allocation for the entire organization. Overseeing the financial health of hospitals, hospice programs, and the WellStar Foundation, the Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer ensures that resources are distributed to support long-term growth and clinical innovation. This role involves managing complex budgeting processes and ensuring the financial viability of the physicians group. By analyzing revenue cycles and cost structures, Marcia Turner drives fiscal discipline across all departments. The Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer collaborates with the executive leadership to evaluate investment opportunities in new medical technologies and facility expansions. Through rigorous financial planning, Turner secures the economic stability of the system, allowing the organization to continue providing essential healthcare services to the community while maintaining a strong balance sheet for future development.
    Marcia Turner

    Felix Soto - Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

    Felix Soto, the Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at WellStar Health System, manages the financial reporting and audit functions for the organization. Overseeing the integrity of financial data across all hospitals and clinics, the Vice President & Chief Financial Officer ensures that the system maintains full compliance with regulatory standards. This role involves developing robust financial models to forecast revenue and manage operational expenses. By providing detailed financial analysis, Felix Soto drives informed decision-making for the executive team regarding capital investments and service line expansion. The Vice President & Chief Financial Officer works with the finance department to optimize billing processes and improve cash flow management. Through meticulous oversight of the financial reporting cycle, Soto supports the long-term sustainability of the organization. This leadership position requires a focus on transparency and accuracy, ensuring that the financial health of the system remains strong and resilient.

    John Kerndl - Executive VP & Chief Financial Officer

    John Kerndl, the Executive VP & Chief Financial Officer at WellStar Health System, directs the strategic financial planning and investment portfolio for the entire health system. Overseeing the long-term financial health of the organization, the Executive VP & Chief Financial Officer ensures that capital is allocated to support the most critical clinical and infrastructure needs. This role involves managing relationships with financial partners and stakeholders to secure the funding necessary for large-scale projects. By evaluating the financial impact of new healthcare initiatives, John Kerndl drives the strategic growth of the system. The Executive VP & Chief Financial Officer collaborates with the Board to set financial targets that align with the mission of providing high-quality care. Through expert management of the organization's assets, Kerndl ensures that the system remains financially robust, enabling the continued delivery of comprehensive medical services across the entire region.
    John Kerndl

    Meredith Bass - Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

    Meredith Bass, the Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at WellStar Health System, manages the financial operations related to the physicians group and clinical service lines. Overseeing the budgeting and resource allocation for medical staff, the Vice President & Chief Financial Officer ensures that clinical departments have the necessary funding to provide exceptional patient care. This role involves analyzing the profitability of various medical specialties and identifying opportunities for cost reduction. By optimizing the financial performance of the physicians group, Meredith Bass drives the overall efficiency of the system. The Vice President & Chief Financial Officer works closely with clinical leaders to align financial goals with patient care objectives. Through strategic oversight of these clinical finances, Bass supports the mission of the organization, ensuring that the physicians group remains a strong and sustainable component of the broader health system network.

    Bryce Sillyman - Chief Operating Officer

    Bryce Sillyman, the Chief Operating Officer at WellStar Health System, manages the daily operational workflows across the entire hospital network. Overseeing the complex logistics of patient throughput and facility management, the Chief Operating Officer ensures that all clinical departments function with maximum efficiency. This role involves coordinating resources between the physicians group and the various nursing centers to maintain seamless care transitions. By implementing standardized protocols, Bryce Sillyman drives operational excellence and reduces administrative bottlenecks throughout the system. The Chief Operating Officer works closely with the executive team to scale infrastructure in response to growing regional demand. Through meticulous oversight of hospital operations, Sillyman supports the broader mission of delivering reliable, high-quality medical services. This leadership position requires constant monitoring of performance metrics to ensure that every facility operates at peak capacity while maintaining strict compliance with healthcare regulations.
    Bryce Sillyman

    Frank Carpenter - Vice President & Chief Operating Officer

    Frank Carpenter, the Vice President & Chief Operating Officer at WellStar Health System, focuses on the optimization of internal support services and supply chain logistics. Overseeing the operational integration of the nursing center and homecare divisions, the Vice President & Chief Operating Officer ensures that these critical areas align with the broader system goals. This role involves streamlining procurement processes to reduce costs while maintaining the quality of medical supplies. By implementing advanced management systems, Frank Carpenter drives efficiency in the daily operations of non-hospital facilities. The Vice President & Chief Operating Officer works with department heads to improve staff productivity and resource utilization. Through strategic oversight of these specialized service areas, Carpenter supports the overall mission of the organization. This leadership role requires a deep understanding of the operational nuances inherent in homecare and nursing services, ensuring that every patient receives consistent, high-quality care.

    Victoria Dune-Chari - Vice President, Chief Operating Officer

    Victoria Dune-Chari, the Vice President, Chief Operating Officer at WellStar Health System, manages the operational performance of the urgent care centers and outpatient service lines. Overseeing the expansion of these accessible care points, the Vice President, Chief Operating Officer ensures that patient wait times and service quality meet the high standards of the organization. This role involves coordinating with the physicians group to ensure that outpatient services are fully integrated with the broader hospital network. By optimizing the patient experience in urgent care settings, Victoria Dune-Chari drives increased community engagement and service utilization. The Vice President, Chief Operating Officer collaborates with clinical teams to implement new care models that improve health outcomes. Through strategic management of these high-volume facilities, Dune-Chari supports the system's mission of providing convenient, high-quality medical care to the region, ensuring that outpatient operations remain a cornerstone of the overall service strategy.
    Victoria Dune-Chari

    Geoffrey Christian - Chief Operating Officer, Wellstar Cobb Medical Center

    Geoffrey Christian, the Chief Operating Officer, Wellstar Cobb Medical Center at WellStar Health System, directs the daily operations of this specific facility. Overseeing the clinical and administrative functions within the center, the Chief Operating Officer, Wellstar Cobb Medical Center ensures that all patient care services meet the high standards of the broader system. This role involves managing the facility's staff, coordinating with the physicians group, and ensuring that the center remains fully equipped to handle patient demand. By optimizing the operational workflows at the center, Geoffrey Christian drives improvements in patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes. The Chief Operating Officer, Wellstar Cobb Medical Center collaborates with the executive team to align the facility's performance with the system's regional goals. Through dedicated oversight of the center's operations, Christian supports the mission of providing accessible, high-quality medical care to the local community.
    Geoffrey Christian

    David Preston - Chief Marketing Officer

    David Preston, the Chief Marketing Officer at WellStar Health System, architects the brand identity and public engagement strategies for the entire medical network. Managing the communication channels between the system and the communities served, the Chief Marketing Officer ensures that patients understand the full scope of available services, from urgent care to hospice. This role involves developing data-driven campaigns that highlight the expertise of the physicians group and the quality of hospital facilities. By analyzing market trends, David Preston drives growth in patient volume and strengthens the reputation of the organization within the competitive healthcare landscape. The Chief Marketing Officer collaborates with clinical leadership to promote new service lines and wellness initiatives. Through strategic outreach and digital presence, Preston enhances the visibility of the system, ensuring that the mission of providing accessible, high-quality care remains at the forefront of public perception.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding WellStar Health System Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads WellStar Health System?
    WellStar Health System is led by Ketul Patel (President & Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Marcia Turner (Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer) and Felix Soto (Vice President & Chief Financial Officer).
    Who is part of WellStar Health System’s executive team?
    The executive team of WellStar Health System includes leaders such as Ketul Patel (President & Chief Executive Officer), Marcia Turner (Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer), Felix Soto (Vice President & Chief Financial Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does WellStar Health System have?
    WellStar Health System has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in WellStar Health System’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of WellStar Health System includes roles such as President & Chief Executive Officer, Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer, Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Executive VP & Chief Financial Officer, Vice President & Chief Financial Officer.