Jeff Wilson, formerly focused on health policy for the governor of Virginia, has transitioned from a state-level role to the forefront of health care management. His personal experience with the health care system began when his daughter was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a cancer primarily affecting young children. This experience, which led to successful treatment and 12 years of cancer-free monitoring for his daughter, shifted Wilson’s career focus towards direct patient care.
Wilson, who has spent 19 years as a health care executive, has recently assumed the role of president of Trident Health and CEO of Trident Medical Center in North Charleston. He previously worked for six years in Virginia and 12 years in Texas. His new role comes at a critical time when staffing shortages and access to care are pressing issues, particularly in Charleston County.
“I have been actively engaging with the community over the past 90 days to understand the local dynamics and set a new direction for Trident Health,” Wilson said.
Wilson’s career in health care began after earning a master’s degree in health care administration from Virginia Commonwealth University. Despite initially studying international relations and policy, Wilson has spent nearly two decades with Hospital Corporation of America (HCA), advancing from administrative assistant to his current executive position.
A significant challenge Wilson faces is the national shortage of health care workers. He emphasizes the need for strategic partnerships with training organizations to address this issue. “We are not producing enough health care workers to meet the demand,” Wilson noted.
One approach Wilson supports is connecting high school students with health-related career paths to inspire early interest in the field. “We want to create opportunities for students to explore the healthcare environment and discover their interests,” he explained.
Under Wilson’s leadership, Trident Medical Center has expanded its graduate medical education program. This June, the hospital welcomed 70 new physicians, making Trident Health the largest provider of graduate medical education with programs at 72 locations nationwide.
Wilson’s commitment to improving access to care includes addressing the challenges faced by residents who must travel long distances for medical treatment. Reports of patients struggling to reach emergency care in a timely manner prompted plans for free-standing emergency rooms in underserved areas.
Trident Health recently opened a freestanding emergency room on James Island and plans to build another on John’s Island. Additionally, the health system intends to construct a new hospital on Johns Island.
Wilson is focused on evolving the care model to provide services at various levels of complexity in a more distributed manner. “We’re moving from a model where everyone must come to the hospital to a system where appropriate services are available in urgent care settings, freestanding emergency departments, and multi-specialty clinics,” he said.
Rod Whiting, vice president of Trident Health, expressed enthusiasm about Wilson’s leadership, noting that his arrival signals a significant step forward in the organization’s long-discussed plans.
Wilson is optimistic about the future of Trident Health and its ability to adapt and grow. “We aim to be accessible and provide healthcare services where people live, work, and play,” he concluded.
