Our Leadership
Dave Santoemma, CEO
Dave Santoemma has been named Chief Executive Officer of Central Carolina Hospital effective April 1, 2024.
Prior to joining CCH, Santoemma served as Chief Operating Officer of Starr Regional Medical Center, a two-hospital system in Athens and Etowah, TN. In this role, he provided oversight for financial performance, strategic planning and day-to-day operations of assigned departments, including Imaging, Lab, Pharmacy, Plant Operations, Rehabilitation Services, Security and others. During his tenure at Starr Regional, he also served as a board member of the United Way of McMinn & Meigs Counties and McMinn Chamber of Commerce.
Previously, Santoemma served as Associate Administrator at Saline Memorial Hospital in Benton, AR, where he provided leadership support to hospital departments, including Environmental Services, Imaging, Laboratory, Pharmacy, Plant Operations, inpatient and outpatient therapy, and others.
Santoemma holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix in Phoenix, AZ. He is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and holds a Professional in Patient Safety certification (CPPS), awarded for demonstrating a high level of proficiency in the core standards of patient safety.
Connette Gill, CNO
Connette Gill, MSN, MBA, RN, NE-BC, CPPS, has been named Chief Nursing Officer at Central Carolina Hospital effective April 1, 2024.
Previously, Gill served as Assistant Chief Nursing Officer of Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory, where she was responsible for daily nursing operations and supported the Chief Nursing Officer in planning, implementing and evaluating nursing services to ensure delivery of adequate and competent patient care.
Connette has over two decades of clinical and administrative experience in various specialty fields including emergency services, forensic nursing, risk management and nursing education. She received her Master of Science in Nursing degree from Old Dominion University and her Master of Business Administration from Western Governors University. She is also holds certificates in Executive Nursing Leadership and patient safety.