Tab Culbertson has served as president and chief administrative officer of Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center since 2025.

She has experienced a dynamic 27-year career in healthcare, starting as a licensed practical nurse before transitioning to healthcare operations and administration. Her extensive expertise encompasses operations, acute and ambulatory care, strategy and physician practice environments. Culbertson joined the health system from Centra Health in Lynchburg, Virginia, where she served as the market president for the Lynchburg region, which includes 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 also supported the system service line executives for emergency services and surgical services. In her time as president with Centra Health, she improved safety ratings from The Leapfrog Group and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, decreased healthcare-associated infections by 58% and supported a $500 million modernization project.

Prior to Centra Health, Culbertson served as assistant vice president and campus and clinical operations officer at Inova Health System in Leesburg, Virginia; 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, Virginia, and her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Bryant & Stratton College in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Why I Work for Covenant Health

I chose to join Covenant Health because of its unwavering commitment to faith, service and excellence in patient care. 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.