Mount Airy, NC – Six graduates from the 2025 Chris A. Lumsden Leadership Academy, a comprehensive educational program designed to foster the leadership potential of employees who volunteer to participate in the six-month curriculum. The Class of 2025 includes Kayla Edwards, Diana Garcia, Gretchan Hawks, Jennifer Love, Sarah Noethlich, and Vanessa Vaught.
The program, formerly Northern Leadership Academy, was renamed the Chris A. Lumsden Leadership Academy to recognize former Northern Regional President & CEO, Chris A. Lumsden, who founded the program in 2020 and emphasized the importance of people, purpose, and passion as the core values that drive meaningful leadership and inspire excellence in others.
“The Leadership Academy empowers participants to explore their potential, strengthen their skills, and lead with passion and purpose. We are proud of this year’s graduates and look forward to seeing their continued contributions to our hospital and community”, said Robin H. Hodgin, Interim President & CEO at Northern Regional Hospital.
The Leadership Academy spans approximately six months, exposing participants to a variety of experiences designed to broaden their understanding of hospital operations and leadership. Participants attend weekly class sessions on leadership-related topics, shadow members of the hospital’s executive team, maintain journals to reflect on new knowledge, and present a final case study proposal designed to address a need or enhance services at Northern Regional Hospital.
Each participant is paired with a senior-level mentor and is encouraged to grow beyond their comfort zone while embracing collaboration and organizational mission.
The 2025 program was facilitated by Rylee Giles, Manager of Marketing and Community Relations; Sabrena Hemric, Manager of Hospitalists; and Keith Moser, Director of Physician Practice Operations. The facilitators guided participants as they engaged in hospital tours, leadership meetings, and project-based learning.
The graduates concluded the program with case study presentations, offering innovative proposals aligned with Northern Regional’s mission and vision. Each proposal reflected the organization’s commitment to advancing quality care and strengthening community trust.
Since its inception, the Leadership Academy has graduated 44 Northern Regional employees, many of whom have gone on to take on expanded responsibilities within the organization.
