Brooks named chief administrative officer of Dukes

Outgoing Dukes CEO says 'Our hospital team, patients and community will be in great hands with David at the helm…'

Lutheran Health Network announces that David Brooks, the current chief operating officer of Lutheran Hospital, will now take on the leadership role for Dukes Memorial Hospital (DMH) as long-standing Chief Executive Officer Debra Close retires next week. Brooks will join Dukes on Sept. 9.

Brooks is being named the chief administrative officer and comes to DMH with more than 25 years of healthcare management and operations experience, coupled with a deep appreciation for the role of local health care in rural communities. He brings significant experience and success in performance management, quality enhancements and operational effectiveness to his new role.  

“As I shift gears, I cannot think of a better leader to step into Dukes and our community than David,” said Debra Close, outgoing CEO. “I’ve worked with him in his role at Lutheran and seen firsthand his expertise, perspective and that he understands and cares about the needs of a community like ours. Our hospital team, patients and community will be in great hands with David at the helm of Dukes.”

“I am honored to join Dukes,” Brooks said. “This is a wonderful hospital with a strong team that is dedicated to taking care of its community. These are challenging times in healthcare, and communities like this one need access to care that helps them improve and maintain health and wellbeing.”

Brooks joined Lutheran Hospital as chief operating officer in early 2023. He has held various leadership roles in healthcare for more than 25 years, including operations roles in  New Jersey and South Carolina. Brooks graduated from Belmont Abbey College, Belmont, N.C., with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration and earned a Master’s in Business Administration from Georgian Court University, Lakewood, N.J.

–LHN report