The Mississippi Hospital Association (“MHA”) Board of Governors has elected John Anderson, administrator and chief executive officer (“CEO”) of Baptist Anderson Regional Medical Center in Meridian, as its 2026-2027 Chairman of the Board. Anderson’s term begins July 1. He succeeds Jim Hobson, CEO of Magnolia Regional Health Center in Corinth, who has served as Chairman since July 1, 2025.
The Board also elected Jessica Embry, CEO of Yalobusha General Hospital and Nursing Home in Water Valley, as Chair-Elect. Embry will be the first woman to assume the role since 1983 when Sister Josephine Therese Uhll of St. Dominic Health Services served as Chair. Embry’s term begins July 1, 2027.
“Mississippi’s hospitals face unique challenges and tremendous opportunities to improve health outcomes for our communities,” Anderson said. “I look forward to continuing to work with my fellow board members, MHA staff, policymakers, and others across the state to champion sustainable rural and community health care, support innovative care delivery, and ensure every Mississippian has access to high-quality services close to home.”
Anderson is responsible for overall operational management of Baptist Anderson Regional Medical Center, Baptist Anderson Regional Medical Center-South, Baptist Cancer Center-Anderson, and a network of primary and specialty clinics. He began his career at Baptist Anderson in 1990 as an assistant administrator, advancing to Vice President of Operations in 1997 and administrator of Baptist Anderson South before becoming CEO in 2015. His key achievements include leading the organization through the COVID-19 pandemic and overseeing the 2024 merger with Baptist Memorial Health Care.
Anderson holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Mississippi and a Master of Science in Health Administration from The University of Alabama at Birmingham. He is a past fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and currently serves on the MHA Board of Governors and the MHA Committee on Legislation.
“I am truly honored and excited to serve as Chair-Elect,” Embry said. “Drawing on my experience in rural hospital leadership, I look forward to supporting our members in addressing workforce needs, enhancing quality and safety, and championing policies that ensure strong, sustainable healthcare services for all Mississippi communities.”
Embry is an experienced healthcare executive and registered nurse with more than 20 years of leadership in hospital administration, operations management, quality assurance, risk management, and clinical education.
She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Mississippi Medical Center and has held key roles at Yalobusha General, including Chief Operations Officer and Quality Assurance/Risk Manager, prior to her appointment as CEO in 2020.
Richard Roberson, MHA President and CEO, praised the selections.
“The election of John Anderson as Chairman and Jessica Embry as Chair-Elect reflects the depth of talent and dedication within Mississippi’s hospital community,” Roberson said. “We also want to thank Jim Hobson for his outstanding service as Chairman over the past year. As MHA approaches its 100th year, we remain an organization which puts service first—just like the hospitals and hospital employees we represent. John and Jessica’s proven leadership will be instrumental as we continue advocating for policies that sustain and strengthen healthcare access across our state.”