Outer Banks Health is proud to honor the legacy of President Ronnie Sloan, FACHE, after a remarkable career of nearly 15 years of dedicated service as President of Outer Banks Health (OBH) and 40 years overall of service in the healthcare industry.
Ronnie was honored on December 1, 2025, at Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head with a commemorative party thrown by OBH team members and community members, where nearly 200 individuals gathered to recognize his impact. Many individuals offered personal thanks to Ronnie for the direct influence he had had on their lives. ECU Health, a partner of OBH, and Ronnie’s family were present in recognizing his accomplishments as well.
“When I began my career, I was encouraged to step beyond respiratory therapy and move into health care administration. I hesitated at first because I felt great reward in caring for patients and their families. But I’m forever grateful to the person who helped me see how much more my impact could have in this role. Serving this community, building so many meaningful relationships and playing a part in growing healthcare on the Outer Banks has been a true blessing,” said Ronnie.
Ronnie is celebrated for creating and cultivating a culture of compassion among team members, medical staff, patients and the community. This culture is reflected in patient care, resulting in OBH’s standing as a 5-star hospital in North Carolina for patient satisfaction according to Press Ganey. Under Ronnie’s supportive and guided leadership, OBH was one of the first hospitals in the nation to pilot rural, accredited cancer programs—reducing mortality rates—became the first Dementia Friendly Hospital in North Carolina and achieved accredited stroke-ready status. Ronnie also drove the expansion of essential health care services on the Outer Banks, helping to introduce and grow offerings such as urgent care, family medicine, urology, cardiology, ear nose and throat, orthopedics and sports medicine and cancer care services.
Throughout his career with OBH, Ronnie has remained fully committed to its mission: to enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors of Dare County and surrounding areas by providing the highest quality health care services. Ronnie has been a valued partner to both of OBH’s partners, ECUH and CRH, faithfully advancing the aligned missions through collaborative leadership, integrity and dedication.
“Ronnie’s impact has been immeasurable. His contribution to eastern North Carolina, especially on the Outer Banks, will continue to benefit this region for generations. For the entirety of the past 15 years, Ronnie exemplified our mission and values in his work, leading by example and reflecting compassion and excellence in all he does. He has set a lasting tone for future healthcare leaders and team members,” said Van Smith, Jr., MBA, MSHA, president, ECU Health community hospitals.
In 2018, Ronnie received national recognition as a recipient of the American Hospital Association Rural Health Leadership Award, which honors hospital leaders who guide their organizations through transformational change while displaying outstanding leadership and commitment to improving health outcomes and growing access to healthcare. Beyond his leadership within the organization, Ronnie has been a steadfast community advocate. He has volunteered his time and expertise with numerous nonprofit agencies and community development groups, including the North Carolina Aquarium Society Board of Directors, the Outer Banks Community Foundation, the Dare Community Housing Task Force, the Access to Healthcare Task Force and the Visitors Bureau Long Range Strategic Task Force.
“On behalf of the OBH Board of Directors, I would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Ronnie Sloan for a distinguished career defined by compassion, vision and lasting impact. His legacy will continue to benefit the people of eastern North Carolina for years to come. The Board wishes him the very best in his retirement,” says Myra Ladd-Bone, chair, OBH Board of Directors.
Ronnie is set to retire in early 2026 following the selection of his successor, for whom a search is currently underway. Along with OBH’s partners, the OBH Board of Directors is seeking a leader who understands the Outer Banks community, shares its values and will carry forward the organization’s commitment to compassion, integrity and exceptional care.
Pictured, top row from left: Tyler Sloan, son of Ronnie Sloan; Sheila Davies, director of the Dare County Department of Health & Human Services and Dare County deputy manager; Tess Judge, past board chair of Outer Banks Health and vice chair of the ECU Health Care Foundation; Brian Harvill, president of ECU Health Chowan; Van Smith, president of ECU Health Community Hospitals; Dr. Mike Waldrum, chief executive officer of ECU Health; and Jay Briley, president of ECU Health Medical Center.
Bottom row, from left: Anna Hemmings, daughter of Ronnie Sloan; Slade Sloan, son of Ronnie Sloan; Ronnie Sloan, president of Outer Banks Health; Myra Ladd-Bone, chair of the Outer Banks Health Board of Directors; and Jason Woolard, chaplain of Outer Banks Health.
Pictured, from left: Lynne Miles, executive director of medical group operations, Outer Banks Health; Devereux Grindle, vice president of clinical operations and chief nursing officer, Outer Banks Health; Jalila Milne, executive assistant, Outer Banks Health; Ronnie Sloan, president, Outer Banks Health; Amy Montgomery, executive director of operations, Outer Banks Health; Victoria Green, administrative assistant, Outer Banks Health; Marsha Riordan, administrative assistant, Outer Banks Health; and Todd Wartliner, vice president of finance, Outer Banks Health.
About Outer Banks Health
Outer Banks Health is a growing health system that provides a range of health and wellness services for our community. Designed especially to meet the health needs of our coastal community, whose year-round population of 35,000 swells to over 250,000 in the summer season, we’re first in the state for patient satisfaction, first in the nation to pilot groundbreaking rural health cancer programs, and the very first to be designated a Dementia Friendly Hospital. We work with our partners, ECU Health and Chesapeake Regional Healthcare, along with other health organizations throughout North Carolina and Virginia, to help our residents and visitors access the best possible care for their diagnosis. Many times we deliver that care right here, close to home.
