Crestwood Medical Center has named longtime healthcare leader Kyle Buchanan as its new president, officials announced Wednesday, marking a leadership transition at one of the region’s major hospitals.
Buchanan, who currently serves as president of Helen Keller Hospital and Red Bay Hospital, will take on the new role beginning April 20. The appointment comes as Crestwood continues its partnership within the Huntsville Hospital Health System.
A Tuscumbia native, Buchanan brings more than two decades of healthcare leadership experience, with a background spanning hospital operations, patient care and workforce development. In his current role, officials say he has improved hospital performance, including gains in physician engagement and new provider partnerships.
“Kyle is the right leader to support the excellent team at Crestwood,” said HH Health CEO Jeff Samz. “It was important to us to find someone with deep roots in North Alabama and a genuine commitment to this community. Kyle brings that, along with a strong track record of supporting caregivers and advancing high-quality care. He will build on the great work already happening at Crestwood and help strengthen its future as part of our nonprofit health system.”
Buchanan will report to Tracy Doughty, executive vice president of Madison County operations for HH Health, and will work alongside Crestwood’s board and leadership team to expand access to care and strengthen hospital services.
“I’m excited about the leadership and energy Kyle will bring to Crestwood,” Doughty said. “He is a true servant leader who understands that strong patient care starts with strong teams. His focus on people, culture and performance will support Crestwood’s continued success and reinforce its role as a trusted community hospital.”
Buchanan succeeds Justin Serrano, who has accepted a new leadership role with Community Health Systems in Florida. Hospital officials said Crestwood’s existing senior leadership team will remain in place.
Crestwood recently became part of Huntsville Hospital Health System following its acquisition from Community Health Systems, a move aimed at preserving local control while strengthening access to care across North Alabama. Officials have said Crestwood will continue operating under its existing name, with no changes to services, physicians or day-to-day operations, as it is integrated into the system’s broader regional network.
“Crestwood has a longstanding reputation for caring for this community, and I’m honored to be part of that,” Buchanan said. “I know this has been a time of change, and I want our patients and team members to feel confident in what comes next. Crestwood remains Crestwood — your physicians, your care teams and the experience you trust are not changing. We will build on that strong foundation and continue investing in our people and services to best serve this incredible community.”
Before leading hospitals in the Shoals, Buchanan held leadership roles at Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children, Alabama Community Care and Lawrence Medical Center. He has also been active in regional and statewide organizations, including Leadership Alabama and the University of North Alabama Board of Trustees.
As Buchanan transitions to Huntsville, officials say operations in the Shoals will continue without interruption. Sherry Sands will serve as interim president of Helen Keller and Red Bay hospitals. Sands, who joined the system in 2020 as vice president of patient services and chief nursing officer, brings more than 25 years of nursing and leadership experience.
Crestwood Medical Center is a 180-bed acute care hospital serving nearly 400,000 patients across the region, offering services including emergency care, surgery, women’s health and heart care.
