Carolina Pines CEO, Bill Little Named to Becker’s 2024 Listing of ‘Community Hospital CEOs to Know’

Bill Little, CEO of Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center (CPRMC), was recognized on June 15 by Becker’s Hospital Review as one of its “Community Hospital CEOs to Know” for 2024. This list recognizes CEOs of community hospitals for their efforts in providing coordinated and affordable care, encompassing acute care, primary care, rehabilitation, public health services, and more. Nationwide, 160 CEOs were featured in the listing, including two from South Carolina.

“I’m honored to be included in a listing of top CEOs who, like me, go to work each day trying to best serve their patients, hospitals and communities,” said Little. “Community hospitals have a unique and challenging mission, and our success is very dependent upon our employees, partners and volunteers, and the surrounding communities who support us. This recognition would not be possible without the effort and partnership of so many who help make Carolina Pines an exceptional hospital.”

In its brief CEO summaries as part of the listing, Becker’s noted that Little leads more than 700 associates and medical staff for the 116-bed, acute-care facility and its employed multi-specialty provider practices. It mentioned one of the “A” safety grades from Leapfrog as one of the awards the hospital has won during Little’s tenure as CEO.

In May, the hospital was awarded an “A” grade for patient safety from The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit group that sets standards for excellence in patient safety and care. It was CPRMC’s fifth consecutive A grade, earning the hospital Leapfrog’s elite “Straight A” designation.

In December, Carolina Pines was named a “Top General Hospital” by The Leapfrog Group, one of the most competitive awards American hospitals can receive ‒ only 35 of approximately 4,000 eligible hospitals across the country attained the honor. CPRMC was one of 153 hospitals nationwide to be included in Becker’s 2023 listing of “Great Community Hospitals,” and the Carolina Pines’ employed Medical Practice attained recognition in 2024 and 2023 as a Patient-Centered Medical Home from the National Center for Quality Assurance.

Per Becker’s, “These leaders are honored for their dedication to improving community health, shaping workforce culture, planning for the future, expanding hospital services, and maintaining financial stability. Becker's Healthcare is thrilled to feature the accomplishments of these leaders, who are critical to the successes of their respective organizations.”

Along with Little from Carolina Pines, two other CEOs from community hospitals owned by parent company ScionHealth were featured in Becker’s 2024 listing: Melody Trimble, CEO of St. Francis - Emory Healthcare (Columbus, Georgia) and John Whiteside, Market CEO of SageWest Health Care (campuses in Lander, Wyoming and Riverton, Wyoming). This marks the second consecutive year that each of these leaders has been included in Becker’s “Community CEOs to Know” listing.

The Becker's Hospital Review editorial team accepted nominations to compile this list. The full list features individual profiles of all CEOs and can be read here.

About Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center

As part of the ScionHealth network of hospitals, Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center (CPRMC) provides high-quality healthcare services to the people of several counties in northeastern South Carolina. Patients have come to rely on our experienced, skilled staff and physicians to provide them with the highest level of care and compassion. Through the facilities on our campus, including a 116-bed acute care hospital and an adjoining medical office building, we provide comprehensive services with two things in mind: the care and comfort of our patients. Learn more about CPRMC at www.cprmc.com.