Audrey Gregory Named the Saint Francis Healthcare Market Chief Executive Officer

Memphis, TN (May 24, 2016) – Saint Francis Healthcare is pleased to announce that Audrey Gregory, Ph.D., RN, has returned to Memphis and has joined the market’s administrative team as the new market chief executive officer (CEO). She succeeds David Archer, who recently announced his retirement.

In this position, Gregory is responsible for overseeing all areas of operations at Saint Francis Hospital-Memphis and Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett. Chris Locke, CEO at Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett will remain in his position. Gregory will report to Garry Gause, CEO of Tenet Healthcare’s Southern Region effective as of May 16^th.

“Audrey’s experience in strategic growth and fiscal responsibility, and her interpersonal skills are vital to carry out Saint Francis Healthcare’s mission in the community,” says Gause. “She is a proven leader and we are confident she will lead our hospitals to even greater heights in our commitment to excellent service.”

“I am excited to return to Saint Francis Hospital-Memphis in this new role,” says Gregory. “I look forward to working with the outstanding physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals who make this health system such an asset to our community.”

With more than 20 years of nursing experience, Gregory began her Tenet career in 2004 at Delray Medical Center in Delray Beach, Fla., as director of emergency services before advancing to become director of nursing.  In 2008, Gregory became the chief nursing officer (CNO).  In 2011, she was promoted to chief operating officer (COO) at St. Francis Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., where she was a member of the executive leadership team and was responsible for all aspects of day-to-day operations including key medical, surgical, quality and ancillary services at the 519-bed facility.  In 2014, Gregory was promoted to chief executive officer (CEO) at Placentia-Linda Hospital in Placentia, Ca. Under her leadership, the hospital was honored with two Tenet Circle of Excellence Awards and achieved the highest quality ranking in the company on last year’s internal Balanced Scorecard.

Gregory’s exceptional educational credentials include a Ph.D. in global leadership concentrating in corporate and organizational management from Lynn University in Boca Raton, Fla.  She earned both a master’s degree and a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a master’s degree in healthcare administration from Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah, Ga. 

Gregory was born in Jamaica and moved to the United States for college and has traveled with her husband during his military career in the United States Army.  She is the mother of three children, ages 19, 14 and 9.