Covenant Health Names New Chief Administrative Officer of Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center

April 2025 – Covenant Health is pleased to announce Tab Culbertson as the new president and chief administrative officer of Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, effective April 14. Culbertson will manage hospital operations, work with Covenant Health leaders to accomplish enterprise goals and implement the facility’s growth plans. She joins the health system from Centra Health in Lynchburg, Virginia, where she served as a market president since 2021.

“I chose to join Covenant Health because of its unwavering commitment to faith, service and patient care excellence,” said Culbertson. “The organization’s mission to put others first and make a meaningful impact in the lives of patients, families and the community deeply resonates with me. It is truly an honor to be part of a team that leads with integrity, compassion and a shared purpose to serve.”

“We’re thrilled to welcome Tab to our team,” said Chris Hall, Fort Sanders Regional’s vice president and chief support officer. “Her exceptional background and diverse experience in healthcare make her a valuable addition. She will be perfectly suited to continue guiding our hospital toward a bright and promising future.”

At Centra Health, Culbertson was president at Lynchburg General, a 410-bed level II trauma center; Virginia Baptist Hospital, a 161-bed community hospital; and a free-standing emergency department and ambulatory care center in Gretna. She supported over 5,200 caregivers and served as the system operations leader over 12 specialties at four hospitals, 52 provider practices, a free-standing ED and its cancer center. Culbertson was also the system service line executive for emergency services and surgical services. During her tenure as president, she improved safety ratings from The Leapfrog Group and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. She also decreased healthcare-associated infections by 58 percent and supported a $500 million modernization project.

“Tab Culbertson’’s prior senior leadership roles in health systems and her alignment with Covenant Health’s mission, vision and values make her the perfect fit for our enterprise,” said Jim VanderSteeg, president and CEO of Covenant Health. “Tab’s accomplishments in her previous roles reflect her dedication to patients and the community. We look forward to her leadership at Fort Sanders Regional to help us continue providing excellent care to our communities.”

“We’re pleased to welcome Tab to Fort Sanders Regional and Covenant Health,” said Mike Belbeck, executive vice president of operations. “Her wealth of leadership experience and commitment to patient safety will benefit the hospital, our patients and our community.”

Culbertson previously was assistant vice president and campus and clinical operations officer at Inova Health System in Leesburg, Virginia. She also has served as chief operating officer and chief compliance officer at West Holt Medical Services in Atkinson, Nebraska; and in several leadership positions at Sentara Healthcare in Norfolk, Virginia.

Culbertson is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE). She earned her Master of Science Healthcare Administration degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. She also earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Bryant & Stratton College in Virginia Beach. Culbertson is a licensed practical nurse and previously practiced seven years in pediatrics, orthopedics and neurology.

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About Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center

At Fort Sanders Regional, we pair professional expertise with state-of-the-art medical technology to deliver excellent healthcare for our patients. Our hospital is celebrated for its industry-leading facilities, from our elite Stroke Center to our cutting-edge diagnostic and rehabilitation centers. Whether you need inpatient treatment or outpatient services, our team at Fort Sanders Regional offers the exceptional care you deserve. To learn more, visit our website.