Clay Runnels

Clay Runnels is an accomplished healthcare executive with extensive experience in clinical and operational leadership. Currently serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Physician Executive at Ballad Health since February 2018, Runnels oversees the clinical enterprise, including quality, research, academics, and medical staff services. Previously, Runnels held leadership roles at Mountain States Health Alliance, where responsibilities included managing hospital-based programs, service line development, and serving as Vice President and Chief Medical Officer. Runnels began an emergency medicine career with Schumacher Clinical Partners in 2000 and co-founded Johnson City Emergency Physicians, leading a staffing group of over 60 providers. Runnels holds an MBA from Milligan College and has a strong educational background in medicine and microbiology.