Meet the Executive Team
Chris Brown, RN, CEO
Chris Brown joins Haywood Regional Medical Center from Frye Regional Hospital. During his time as COO and interim CEO at Frye Regional, Brown oversaw the financial performance, strategic planning and day-to-day operations of the facility. He was an integral part of overseeing service line operations and growth projects and collaborative between emergency and laboratory services. Prior to Frye Regional, Brown served as COO at Starr Regional Medical Center in Athens and Etowah, Tenn., where he oversaw regular operations and implementation of a tele-stroke program and other programs. Brown also was associate administrator at Duke Lifepoint’s Wilson Medical Center in Wilson, NC. He began his career as a radiologic technologist and also is a registered nurse.
Carolyn Allen, CFO
Carolyn Allen, CFO, was born and raised in San Antonio, TX. Her career in public accounting began with assignments in hospitals and associated facilities, which helped her narrow her focus to the medical field. She joined Haywood Regional Medical Center in 2022 after almost two years in financial management within other hospital systems.
LaCrystal Gordon, DNP, RN, Market CNO
LaCrystal Gordon, DNP, MBA, RN, CPPS, CENP, CPHQ is the market chief nursing officer (CNO) for Haywood Regional Medical Center, Harris Regional Hospital and Swain Community Hospital. LaCrystal joined Duke LifePoint Healthcare in 2017, previously serving as CNO at Harris and Swain hospitals. Prior to joining Duke LifePoint, LaCrystal served in several leadership roles including chief nursing officer, director of patient experience, nurse manager and staff nurse at Lutheran Health Network in Indiana.