Q&A with Chief Operations Officer Chris Cullom

Chris Cullom joined Carilion in August as executive vice president and chief operating officer. Prior to joining Carilion, Chris served as chief operating officer for Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals in Philadelphia, part of Jefferson Health, where he helped lead operational strategy for the system’s flagship hospitals and major growth initiatives.

Chris also has held executive leadership roles with Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Tenet Healthcare, and University of Florida Health Jacksonville. Across these organizations, he successfully led initiatives focused on culture enhancement, operational transformation, strategic growth, patient experience, and workforce engagement.

You came here after working in a very different health care environment in Philadelphia. What interested you about the opportunity here?
I fell in love with the team. From the very beginning, I felt comfortable with the people here and could sense their passion for the organization and the community. After nearly 13 years in Philadelphia, my wife and I were looking for somewhere we could put down long-term roots. Roanoke offered the balance we were looking for, along with the opportunity to be closer to family in Tennessee, where I grew up.

I was also blown away by Carilion itself. It's a special organization with a strong foundation and a mission that people genuinely live every day. I really bought into Steve's vision for the organization and believe we have the people, talent, and resources to navigate a changing health care landscape and build something even better.

You've now had some time to get settled in. As you've spent time with teams across Carilion, what stands out to you about the organization and the communities we serve?
The commitment people have to Carilion and the communities we serve is incredible. You see it in the number of employees who have been here for 20, 30, or even more years. People genuinely love this organization, and that dedication extends beyond their daily work into the communities where they live.

Carilion is also deeply woven into the fabric of this region. Nearly everyone I've met has a connection to the organization, whether they've received care here, worked here, or have a loved one who has. We're not just a health care provider. We're also a major employer and economic driver. People depend on us in so many ways, and while that's a significant responsibility, it's one our teams are clearly committed to fulfilling.

Carilion includes an academic medical center, community hospitals, and services across a large regional and rural footprint. From an operations perspective, what does it take to make all those pieces work together as one system?
It takes ongoing collaboration, intentionality, and a shared understanding that we're one system, not a collection of individual parts. We have to think beyond our own areas and consider how the work we're doing can benefit the organization as a whole.

That means sharing best practices, eliminating unnecessary duplication, leveraging economies of scale, and balancing workloads where possible. At the same time, one size doesn't always fit all. We need to preserve the unique identities and traditions of our individual facilities while finding opportunities to work more effectively together. We're already doing some of this well, but there's always room to improve.

What excites you about the opportunities ahead for Carilion to better serve patients and further support our workforce?
I'm someone who's motivated by challenges, and there's certainly no shortage of them in health care today. Rising costs, workforce shortages, policy changes, and declining reimbursement are affecting organizations across the country. Nobody has it all figured out, but I see that as an opportunity. Why not us?

Carilion already has so many of the building blocks in place. The opportunity is to bring those strengths together in new ways that better serve our patients, support our employees and clinicians, and allow us to continue fulfilling our mission. I believe we have the potential to become a nationally recognized health care organization while maintaining the local relationships and trust that make Carilion special.

What did you want to be when you were growing up? Was health care always somewhere on your radar?
At one point, I actually wanted to design tennis shoes. I loved sports growing up and would spend time drawing different shoe designs. Eventually, my interests shifted toward medicine, particularly sports medicine.

In college, I explored athletic training and later pursued physical therapy, with the idea of eventually running a rehabilitation facility or opening my own clinics. I also had a strong interest in business, so after my first year of physical therapy school, I decided to change course and pursue health care administration. It turned out to be the perfect way to combine those interests, and the rest is history.

When you're not working, what do you enjoy doing?
I enjoy traveling, especially to warmer climates and beaches, although we've started exploring other destinations more recently. I also love sports, live music, festivals, and staying active, whether that's going to the gym, playing sports, walking, or hiking.

Since moving to Roanoke, my wife and I have really enjoyed exploring the local restaurant scene, farmers markets, and community events. We've been pleasantly surprised by how much there is to do here. Spending time with friends and family, enjoying good food, and catching a movie are always high on my list, too.

Are you a sports fan? Which teams do you follow?
I'm a huge sports fan. I grew up playing football, basketball, and soccer, and I've always enjoyed tennis as well. These days, I mainly follow football and basketball, including the NFL and NBA.

As far as college sports go, I'm a die-hard Florida Gators fan and a newly minted Virginia Tech Hokies fan. I recently attended my first Hokies football game, and despite the outcome, it was a great experience.

You've made the move from Philadelphia to Roanoke. What have you enjoyed most about Southwest Virginia so far, and is there anything that has surprised you?
You can't talk about this area without mentioning its natural beauty. The mountains and outdoor opportunities are incredible, and I'm really looking forward to seeing the fall colors. We've also enjoyed hiking, exploring local restaurants, and attending festivals and community events.

What has surprised me most is how welcoming everyone has been and how much there is to do. Coming from Philadelphia, I wasn't sure what to expect from the restaurant scene or the number of activities available, but we've found plenty to enjoy. There's something special about living somewhere people acknowledge one another and genuinely seem to look out for their neighbors.