Leadership Team
Tommy Williams
Chief Executive Officer
Tommy Williams served as interim CEO at UNC Health Johnston for five months before being named to the permanent position in May, 2020. Before coming aboard, he was a long-time leader at UNC REX Healthcare in Raleigh, most recently as the vice president of Ambulatory and Support Services and oversight of the construction of the community hospital in Holly Springs.
Tracey Carson
Chief Nursing Officer
Tracey Carson joined UNC Health Johnston in 2009. She is a registered nurse with more than 20 years of nursing leadership experience. She has a master’s degree in Health Administration. She and her husband, Mike, live in Kenly.
April Culver
Vice President, External Affairs
April Culver began working for UNC Health Johnston in 2001 and became a vice president in 2004. As vice president of external affairs, she is responsible for all internal and external communications and marketing activities to support UNC Health Johnston. She advocates for the health care system on the local, state and federal levels, and coordinates all planning activities for the organization. In addition, she oversees spiritual care and volunteer services, and the Johnston Health Foundation. She and her husband, Chad, and daughter, Ava, live in Smithfield.
Rodney McCaskill, MD
Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Rodney McCaskill is the Chief Medical Officer at UNC Health Johnston. He is a member of Wake Emergency Physicians, which provides care in the emergency departments at both campuses. Outside of the hospital, he is the assistant director of Johnston County EMS. He is a graduate of East Carolina University and the Brody School of Medicine. He completed his residency in emergency medicine at the University of North Carolina.
Kevin Cielinski
Vice President, Finance
Kevin Cielinski joined UNC Health Johnston in 2008 and has held a financial leadership position since 2011. His responsibilities include coordination of company financial planning, debt financing and budget management functions. He, his wife Erica and their three children, live in Smithfield.
Robert Cupp
Vice President, Operations
Robert Cupp is VP of Operations at UNC Health Johnston. His background includes 20 years of clinical nursing practice, nursing management, and human resources management. He is a Master's prepared Registered Nurse and board certified as a Nurse Executive. He and his wife, Elisa, live in Sims, NC.
Casey Nunnery
Vice President, Patient Care Resources
Casey Nunnery joined UNC Health Johnston in 2002. She is a registered nurse with more than 20 years of nursing leadership experience. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Health Administration from UNC Wilmington. In her role as Vice President of Patient Care Services, she is responsible for Inpatient and Patient Experience. She lives in Angier with her husband, Daniel, and their two sons.
DeNaide Dickens
Director of Human Resources, Health Care System
DeNaide Dickens, a native of Nash County, came aboard in October, 2025. She has more than 20 years of experience in human resources and has held several leadership positions throughout her career. Most recently she was the Senior Human Resources Business Partner for UNC Health Medical Center in Chapel Hill. She lives in Whitakers, N.C. and has a grown son.
UNC Health Johnston Medical Executive Committee (MEC)
- Hasan Baloch, M.D., President
- Megan Kirk, M.D., Vice President
- Viyan Udawatta, M.D., MEC at Large
- Reginald Harris, M.D., Chief of Medicine
- Russell Wilford, M.D., Vice Chief of Medicine
- Chase L. Campbell, M.D., Chief of Surgery
- Frank Sutton, M.D., Vice Chief of Surgery
- Michael Kwong, M.D., Chief of Hospital Services
- Brendan DeCenso, M.D., Vice Chief of Hospital Services
- John R. Adams, M.D.- Immediate Past President
- Kristal Keys, M.D., Chair of Credentials Committee & MEC at Large
UNC Health Johnston Medical Directors
- John Adams, M.D.- Hospitalists
- Drennan Smith, M.D.- Laboratory
- Ben Atkeson, M.D.- Cardiology
- Russell Anderson, M.D.- Oncology
- Thomas Powell, M.D.- Vascular Lab
- Megan Kirk, M.D.- Emergency Services
- Frank Sutton, M.D.- Anesthesia
- Jodi Bailey, M.D.- Women's Services
- Michael Kwong, M.D.- Radiology Services
- Mir Mumtaz Ali, M.D.- Respiratory Services
- Thomas Powell, M.D.- Cardiac Rehab
- Matthew Hook, M.D.- Cath Lab
- Rodney Lutz, M.D.- Wound Center
- Dennis Koffer, M.D.- Hospice
