The University of Alabama at Birmingham named Kenny Shafer as Chief Executive Officer of UAB St. Vincent’s Birmingham, effective September 2nd.

Shafer has over a decade of health system leadership, most recently serving as CEO of Johnson City Medical Center, a 501-bed hospital that serves northeast Tennessee. During his tenure, he led growth in clinical services and helped elevate the hospital’s recognition for quality, performance and safety.

He has also held key operational roles across the Ballad Health system, including COO of Indian Path Medical Center. He has overseen initiatives to expand access in interventional radiology, trauma and critical care, neurosciences, orthopedics, and cardiovascular surgery. His leadership was vital to the development of the Ballad Health Trauma Network.

“I am honored to join the UAB Medicine team and to lead a hospital that has such a rich legacy of service,” Shafer said. “My family and I are excited to make Birmingham our new home.”

In this new role, Shafer will oversee daily operations and guide St. Vincent’s Birmingham’s integration within the UAB Health System. He will work closely with its clinical and operational teams to advance its mission.

“Kenny is a thoughtful leader with the ability to elevate care, strengthen teams and deliver results,” said Dawn Bulgarella, CEO of the UAB Health System.