Decatur native Dean joins HH Health System as executive vice president

HUNTSVILLE — Dispelling the saying, “you can’t go home, again,” Sam Dean is back in North Alabama.

Dean, a native of Decatur, has joined Huntsville Hospital Health System as executive vice president, Regional Hospital Operations, according to an announcement from President and CEO Jeff Samz.

In his new role, Dean will be responsible for leading the system’s operations outside of  Madison County: Athens-Limestone Hospital, Decatur Morgan Hospital, DeKalb Medical  Center, Helen Keller Hospital, Highlands Medical Center, Lincoln Health, Marshall Medical Centers, and Red Bay Hospital.  

“I am very excited about the opportunity to come home to North Alabama and work for such an exceptional health system,” Dean said.  

Dean grew up in Decatur and brings nearly 20 years of healthcare leadership experience to HH Health. Most recently, he served for the past three years as the Market CEO of Merit Health’s five-hospital network in Jackson, Miss.  

Prior to his work in Jackson, he served as the CEO of University Hospital at the University of South Alabama. During his tenure there, he led efforts in securing funding for the construction of a state-of-the-art regional trauma center. Dean also served on the Alabama Department of Public Health’s Statewide Health Coordinating Council from 2019-21.

His career has also included stints at Trinity Medical Center (now Grandview Medical Center) in Birmingham and Infirmary Health System in Mobile.  

Dean graduated from Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in bio-medical science, and earned a Master of Science degree in Health Administration and a Master of Business  Administration degree from the University of Alabama in Birmingham. He has been active in professional organizations at the state and national level.

Dean and his wife, Alicia, have four children.  

“Sam brings a wealth of experience and expertise in leading hospitals in Alabama and Mississippi,” Samz said. “He is a great addition to our team. We look forward to working with him as he leads the regional hospitals in our Health System.”