Lily Henson takes leadership at Piedmont Augusta Hospital

Piedmont Augusta Hospital (formerly University Health Care System) will be under new leadership when the new year begins.

Piedmont announced that Dr. Lily Henson will become the new President and CEO of Piedmont Augusta on Jan. 9, 2023, replacing retiring CEO, James Davis. Henson is currently CEO of Piedmont Henry Hospital.

“I am excited about this opportunity and look forward to meeting and working with the outstanding physicians and staff members in Augusta,” Henson said. “I believe we will be able to achieve great things together as we continue the hospital’s outstanding tradition of caring for the community.”

Henson is a nationally recognized neurologist, having joined Piedmont in 2015 as chief of neurology. Henson earned accolades for her leadership during the pandemic when her hospital was able to treat 5 percent of Georgia’s hospitalized covid patients with only 1 percent of the state’s acute care beds.

“With her proven success as both a clinician and an administrator, I’m confident that Dr. Henson will serve the Piedmont Augusta Hub’s providers, staff, and community very well,” Piedmont Healthcare President and CEO, Kevin Brown said. “I appreciate what Piedmont Augusta’s current CEO, Jim Davis, has established, and know that Lily is well positioned to build on that amazing legacy. Jim has agreed to stay with us until early January and work together with Lily on a smooth transition.”

Davis joined University Health in 2009 and is credited with building its extensive network of primary, prompt care, and specialty practices. Under his leadership, University expanded its assets by 80 percent and brought about the partnership with Piedmont.

Davis said that Henson is uniquely qualified to lead the Piedmont Augusta Hub.

“I am thankful for the opportunity to have served such a strong institution, to help it continue its 204-year tradition of excellence,” Davis said when announcing his retirement in August. “My goal was always to leave what was University Health Care System in a better position than I found it. I feel that I have accomplished that goal, and I’m excited about Piedmont Augusta’s future, and how the organization will continue to serve the community with Lily’s direction.”