Upson Regional Medical Center welcomes Daniel S. Owens as Chief Executive Officer effective January 20, 2025.
Owens has more than 29 years of experience in healthcare and was selected after a national search conducted by the Upson County Hospital, Inc. Board of Directors in conjunction with HealthTech, a management and consulting firm which has partnered with URMC for over 25 years.
Owens is from Lilburn, GA. He most recently served as the Chief Executive Officer of Emory University Hospital Midtown, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University Hospital Midtown and Emory University Hospital Smyrna for the past 9 years. He was responsible for the day-to-day operations of a 605 licensed bed academic teaching hospital, 48 bed Level 3 NICU and an 88 licensed bed community hospital. Owens has a proven track record of success, guiding the hospital to exceptional achievements in financial performance, quality rankings, and partnerships that contributed to overall admissions growth, while also executing on ambitious capital projects in excess of over $600 million.
Owens is a Georgia native who earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Emory University and a Master of Business Administration from Bernau University. He is recognized as a Fellow of the Woodruff Leadership Academy and completed Harvard Business School’s Executive Course in Managing Healthcare Delivery.
Throughout his career, Owens has been active in both the national and Georgia healthcare communities, serving as Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Georgia Hospital Association, as a board member and on the executive committee of the Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals, as a member of the American College of Health Care Executives, and as a member of the Atlanta Rotary Club.
“Mr. Owens brings a high level of professionalism and expertise that will serve Upson Regional well. He undoubtedly possesses the senior leadership skills that are essential in navigating today’s complex healthcare environment,” said Neil Tod Hunter, CEO of HealthTech.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dan to URMC. He brings vast experience in hospital administration and is sure to continue to build on the high-quality care that we are proud to provide our community,” said Bill Hightower URMC Board Chairman. “Following the review of many candidates, Dan’s accomplishments and skills stood out, making him the clear choice for URMC. We are pleased to have Dan and his family become part of our community,”
Owens shared his excitement to join Upson Regional Medical Center, a 115 licensed bed facility that employs over 800 full and part time clinicians and staff. Over the last few years, URMC has achieved Stroke and Chest Pain Accreditation from DNV, expanded interventional Cath lab services, and added both a helipad and DaVinci Surgical Robot, all while focusing on efforts to increase patient safety and satisfaction. Upson Regional has proudly served a multi-county area of middle Georgia for over 70 years, constantly growing and expanding its facilities, technology and expertise in an effort to better serve those who need healthcare.
“I am eager to integrate into the Thomaston/ Upson and surrounding communities,” Owens said. “I recognize the importance of the healthcare that URMC offers to its surrounding six county service area, and I look forward to continuing to expand our service offerings to meet the needs of the communities we have the privilege to serve. The URMC clinicians, staff, and I all share a common goal of providing the best possible care to patients, and I am thrilled to join the URMC team.”
Owens replaces retiring CEO Jeff Tarrant who has served Upson Regional since May 2019.