December 07, 2023 – Appalachian Regional Healthcare recently named Heath Brashear, D.O., as the General Surgery Service Line Medical Director.  

In his new position, Dr. Brashear, a general surgeon at Hazard ARH Regional Medical Center, will work to oversee and optimize the clinical quality, patient experience, growth, cost effectiveness and financial performance of the general surgery service line.  

ARH Chief Medical Officer Dr. Maria Braman said she has enjoyed watching Dr. Brashear grow with ARH and looks forward to working more closely with him in his role. 

“Dr. Brashear has demonstrated strong leadership skills as we have navigated tremendous improvements in the daily operations of the Hazard ARH OR,” she said. “We look forward to Dr. Brashear utilizing that same skill set as he works to optimize the system.” 

Susan Carmical, ARH Vice President of Service Line Operations, said Dr. Brashear is a perfect fit for the position.  

“He has a passion for our community, our patients and the ARH mission,” Carmical said. “We are confident that he will make an immediate contribution to the general surgery service line with his leadership skills and patient-focused ideas.” 

Dr. Brashear received his undergraduate degree from the University of Pikeville and his medical degree from the Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine. 

He joined ARH in 2021 after completing his residency in general surgery and fellowship in surgical critical care at the University of Kentucky.  

Raised in Viper, Ky., just outside of Hazard, Dr. Brashear said the decision to return home and pursue a career with ARH was simple.  

“There is a unique sense of family that sets ARH apart from other healthcare systems,” he said. “That and the opportunity to serve the community and the people who helped shape who I am today made it an easy decision.” 

Dr. Brashear, who also serves as Vice Chair of the ARH Physician Leadership Council, said he looks forward to continuing his efforts to help better the health of those in the communities served by ARH. 

“I am passionate about standardizing our surgical services across the entire system to continue to deliver high-quality, state-of-the-art healthcare here in the mountains of eastern Kentucky and southern West Virginia,” he said.  

“I’m excited to start this new chapter of my career with ARH and I look forward to continuing to serve the people of Appalachia.” 

Dr. Brashear and his wife Cara, a Registered Nurse, are the parents of son, Sawyer, and daughters, Nora Anne and Eleanor.