John Ballard, PhD, a native of Natchez, Mississippi was appointed chief executive officer of Frankfort Regional Medical Center in February 2024.

Prior to joining Frankfort Regional, Dr. Ballard served as chief executive officer at Forrest City Medical Center, in Arkansas, a 118-bed full-service acute care facility. Prior to Forrest City Medical Center, he served as chief executive officer of Kentucky River Medical Center in Jackson, Kentucky, and Parkway Regional Hospital in Fulton, Kentucky, where he fell in love with the state. Dr. Ballard has held a number of executive positions, with CHS/QHC, where he focused on quality and patient satisfaction, service line development, and physician and employee relations.

Dr. Ballard received his bachelor’s degree in computer science from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He holds an MBA in finance from Alcorn State University, Natchez, Mississippi, and his doctorate of philosophy in epidemiology from Walden University, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
In his spare time, Dr. Ballard enjoys outdoor activities and is an avid outdoorsman with a passion for wild turkey hunting. He has been involved with many community organizations, including a long-time member of the Rotary.

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