Jay Hinesley named CEO of Tidelands Health as MUSC partnership advances
June 19, 2026
Tidelands Health and the Medical University Hospital Authority (MUHA) have reached another important milestone in their efforts to strengthen their partnership and expand access to care across the Tidelands region. Effective July 1 as part of this next phase, Jay Hinesley, CEO of MUSC Health’s Pee Dee Division, will transition to Tidelands Health to serve as chief executive officer.
Since 2021, Jay Hinesley has served as chief executive officer of the Pee Dee Division of MUSC Health, providing executive leadership for MUSC Health Florence Medical Center, Black River Medical Center, Marion Medical Center and the Leatherman Behavioral Care Pavilion. In this role, he has been responsible for strategic growth, operational performance and advancing high-quality, patient-centered care across the Pee Dee region. Under his leadership, MUSC Health Florence Medical Center earned national recognition as a high-performing hospital in the treatment of heart attack, heart failure, kidney failure and stroke, reflecting the division’s commitment to clinical excellence and quality outcomes.
Prior to joining MUSC Health, Jay served as president of Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital and held multiple chief executive officer roles at healthcare facilities across Alabama and Tennessee, where he led organizational transformation, quality improvement initiatives and community engagement efforts.
Jay is a graduate of Presbyterian College and the Medical University of South Carolina’s College of Health Professions. Deeply committed to the communities he serves, he remains actively involved in civic and nonprofit initiatives and is a frequent speaker on healthcare leadership, access to care and regional collaboration.
“Jay has been an exceptional leader for MUSC Health and the communities we serve throughout the Pee Dee region,” said Patrick J Cawley, M.D., CEO, MUSC Health and executive vice president for Health Affairs, University. “We are confident that Jay’s leadership and commitment to expanding access to high-quality care will help advance the mission we share with Tidelands Health of improving the health and well-being of the people of South Carolina. I would also like to sincerely thank current President and CEO Bruce Bailey for his nearly 30-years of service to Tidelands Health and the surrounding community as he has sought to improve health and health care across the state.”
Current MUSC Health Pee Dee Division chief operating officer Jason Cox will become interim chief executive officer. The transition reflects the continued collaboration between MUSC and Tidelands Health as the organizations work together to enhance care delivery and improve health outcomes for the communities they serve.
Tidelands Health, in collaboration with MUSC Health, is the region’s largest health care provider, serving the Carolinas at four hospitals and more than 70 outpatient locations. More than 2,500 employee, physician and volunteer partners work side by side with our communities to transform the health of our region – promoting wellness, preventing illness, encouraging recovery and restoring health.
