Cancer Treatment Centers of America Atlanta has named Jonathan Watkins, MPA, FACHE, regional president, CTCA Hospitals and Clinics. In this post, he will provide strategic guidance for CTCA® Atlanta while working closely with leadership across the CTCA Comprehensive Care and Research Network. Watkins succeeds David Kent, who has moved to a national role as CTCA senior vice president of business development.

Watkins is an experienced hospital administrator and has led successful initiatives within healthcare institutions across the country, namely Kaiser Permanente in California’s Central Valley area, Methodist Healthcare in Memphis, Tenn. and Broward Imperial Point Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

“We’re excited to welcome Jonathan to our regional team and look forward to his stewardship as we focus on top clinical quality and patient-centered care, strategic growth and a culture guided by the Mother Standard® of care,” said Gyasi C. Chisley, national president and CEO, CTCA Hospitals and Clinics. “We’re also excited to leverage David’s proven talents on a national level for the benefit of our entire organization.”

Watkins holds a master’s degree in public administration with a certification in health administration, as well as a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration and planning from Tennessee State University. He is also board certified in healthcare management as a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE). Watkins was named the 2013 National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE) Young Healthcare Executive of the Year and is a past president of the Memphis chapter of NAHSE. 

In 2015 he received the ACHE Tennessee Regent’s Award and in 2019 was recognized by the South Florida Healthcare Executive Forum with an ACHE Service Award. He is a very active community member, serving on the board of directors of the South Florida Hospital and Healthcare Association; Capella University’s School of Nursing Advisory Board; and Tennessee State University’s Public Health, Health Administration and Health Sciences Advisory Board.    

Kent joined CTCA in 2002 and most recently served as president and CEO of CTCA Atlanta. Prior to this appointment, he served as the hospital’s chief operating officer and senior vice president of operations and, before that, vice president of oncology patient services at CTCA Chicago. He was instrumental in working with Georgia legislators to reform the state’s certificate of need requirements in 2008, paving the way for CTCA Atlanta to open its doors in 2012.