Our Leadership
Michael Howard
Interim Chief Executive Officer
Mike Howard currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer for North Alabama Medical Center. Mike joined ECM Hospital in September 2012. He began his ECM tenure as Director of Ancillary Support Services with oversight of Respiratory therapy, Sleep Center and Wound Healing. In January 2014, he was appointed Associate Administrator for the organization and in 2015 appointed to his current position Chief Operating Officer. Mike earned a Bachelor of Science in Management and Organizational Development from Bethel University and received his Master’s in Business Administration from Texas A&M. He previously served as Director of Respiratory Services at Gateway Medical Center in Clarksville, TN and Director of Cardiopulmonary Services at Southern Hills Medical Center, Nashville, TN.
Donald Gavin
Chief Financial Officer
Donald Gavin has been the Chief Financial Officer at Southern Tennessee Regional Health System in Pulaski, Tennessee for sixteen years. He grew up in Santa Fe, Texas and earned is accounting degree at the University of Houston in Clear Lake, Texas.
He, and his wife Traci of thirty years, have three sons and one granddaughter. In Donald’s spare time he enjoys hunting and fishing.
Libby Ferguson
Chief Nursing Officer
Libby Ferguson holds a Masters of Science in Nursing Leadership and Management from Western Governors University. She has a robust clinical background with experience in the emergency department, critical care, trauma, and medical/surgical nursing. During her nursing career, she has worked in both large and small organizations, rural and urban and even non-for profit. She also served in the United States Army as a Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of an Advanced Trauma Life Support section, as a combat medic.
Libby started her nursing leadership career as a manager of a 70-bed medical-oncology floor in south Florida and was promoted to an Assistant Chief Officer role. She has served as an ACNO for the past two years, with her last role being in Missouri. During her time as an ACNO she had the privilege to lead emergency services, intensive care units, an ambulance company, outpatient wound care and bed management.
In Libby’s previous roles, she was instrumental in preparing staff for Acute Stroke Ready designation, chairing and implementing nursing shared governance and was nominated to sit on a corporate level committee to address cross-generational workforce directives. She is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and has experience in Studer driven practices, Team STEPPS, Just Culture and Community Health Needs Assessments.