Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center names Lance Jones new CEO

Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center (CPRMC) has a new CEO, and he’s quite familiar with Interstate 20.

Lance Jones, a native of New Zealand, comes to Hartsville via Texas, New Mexico and Florence. All are stops near or on I-20.

Jones first came to America in 1994 when he got his master’s degree in physical therapy from the University of Alabama-Birmingham, another stop near I-20.

After graduation, Jones worked for hospitals in Hobbs, N.M., Florence, and Lufkin, Texas, before coming to Hartsville.

But the City of Hartsville was a big draw for the hospital’s new chief executive. “It was a very attractive city to my wife and I when we were interviewing,“ Jones said. “It’s very comfortable and has a good feel.“

Jones and his wife Mindy have three children, Danielle, 19, Courtnee, 12, and Liam, 3. He said coming to Carolina Pines offered a unique work experience.

“It’s a chance to come to a community where they are very committed to a hospital,“ he said, “and, equally so, being part of a hospital that’s very committed to the community. That doesn’t happen everywhere. That’s something very unique, and it’s great to be a part of that.“

Jones said the physicians and staff he met while interviewing for the position attracted him to the hospital. He said CPRMC has a good group of physicians that he is looking forward to working with. “From my family’s perspective, I hope to be here for a long time,“ he added. “It’s a good hospital with a good group of physicians. That’s something that the community has to hold onto. The supply of quality physicians in this country continues to dwindle.“

When Jones met with The Messenger on Monday, he had only been in his new office for about four hours, but he said he looked forward to providing doctors and staff with what they needed to be successful. “The overall goal for us here is to continue to provide the services the community needs.“

Jones said one of his priorities is to ensure the hospital has a top notch emergency room. National trends, Jones said, are showing that more people are utilizing emergency rooms because of the lack of a primary care physician. This means the emergency room serves as the hospitals “front door,“ which makes its success a priority for the new CEO.

“We need to make sure we have a superb ER,“ he said.

Jones said it will take some time to get acquainted with the hospital and staff, but he expects to continue success.

One of the main things, however, Jones said attracted he and his wife to the area was the City of Hartsville. “What’s available here,“ he said, “in terms of arts and recreation, isn’t available in all towns.“

Jones said as his wife was touring the area during the interview process, she was approached by two residents who struck up a conversation with her, and that impressed the couple. One of the residents happened to be a teacher in the school district, Jones said, and they were able to learn about schools in the area first hand.
“Those are things at the end of the day,“ he said, “that’s what makes life enjoyable. Here, folks open the door for you, and that’s special. That’s something to preserve.“

Jones said he and his wife are also fans of the Rotary Club and look to join in the future in Hartsville. Getting involved in the community and developing relationships are things Jones said he holds as a top priority.