Meet the Executive Team

Sue Shugart, FACHE, CPPS, Chief Executive Officer

Sue Shugart, FACHE, CPPS, is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Haywood Regional Medical Center and also serves as Market President for Harris Regional Hospital, Haywood Regional Medical Center, and Swain Community Hospital. With over 28 years of healthcare leadership experience, she has held numerous key leadership roles, including Chief Operating Officer at Clarendon Health System, Baptist Easley Hospital, and Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center, as well as interim CEO at Saline Memorial Hospital and CEO of MUSC Health Kershaw Medical Center in Camden, SC, where she served for four years. Most recently, Sue served as CEO for Rutherford Regional Health System in Rutherfordton, North Carolina.

Sue holds a Master of Human Resource Management from the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC. She has a remarkable history of community and professional service, having served in associations such as the South Carolina Hospital Association, the American College of Healthcare Executives, and held leadership roles in the South Carolina ACHE Chapter. She holds the gold-standard FACHE® credential, signaling board certification in healthcare management, and has earned the Certified Professional in Patient Safety credential (CPPS), awarded to professionals who have demonstrated a high level of proficiency in the core standards of patient safety.

Sue enjoys community theater, boating, serving in her church, and spending time with her children and grandchildren in her free time.

Amanda Pruitt Motley, Chief Financial Officer

Amanda Pruitt Motley joins Haywood Regional Medical Center from Highpoint Health System in Tennessee, where she previously served as interim market CFO. During her time as interim market CFO at Highpoint Health System, Motley oversaw forecasting, financial reporting, and compliance for a 227 bed, three hospital system. Prior to her role as interim CFO, Motley served as CFO for Riverview Medical Center and Trousdale Medical Center, directing the executive leadership of finance, supply chain, and revenue departments for two critical access facilities. Motley has served in several capacities across Lifepoint Health including roles as a financial analyst, director of finance, and controller before her promotion to chief financial officer.

LaCrystal Gordon, DNP, RN, Market CNO

LaCrystal Gordon, DNP, MBA, RN, CPPS, CENP, CPHQ is the market chief nursing officer (CNO) for Haywood Regional Medical Center, Harris Regional Hospital and Swain Community Hospital. LaCrystal joined Duke LifePoint Healthcare in 2017, previously serving as CNO at Harris and Swain hospitals. Prior to joining Duke LifePoint, LaCrystal served in several leadership roles including chief nursing officer, director of patient experience, nurse manager and staff nurse at Lutheran Health Network in Indiana.

Stephen Plemmons, Market VP of Operations

Stephen Plemmons serves as the Market Vice President of Operations for Harris Regional Hospital, Haywood Regional Medical Center (HRMC), and Swain Community Hospital, three Duke LifePoint facilities in the mountain communities west of Asheville. With extensive experience in operational and clinical leadership, Stephen has significantly contributed to healthcare in western North Carolina.

Previously, he served as Senior Nursing Officer for Harris Regional and Swain Community Hospitals, overseeing inpatient, outpatient, and emergency nursing services, as well as emergency medical services. Stephen has also held leadership roles as Senior Director of Special Care and Emergency Services and Administrator of Swain Community Hospital, focusing on improving operational efficiency and patient safety.

A native of Haywood County, Stephen earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing Administration from Western Carolina University. He began his nursing career in the emergency department at Haywood Regional Medical Center.

Stephen's leadership and deep knowledge of the region position him to enhance operational strategies and service delivery, ensuring continued access to high-quality healthcare for the community.