Over 30 years ago, Charles L Stewart began to seek out information about the field of healthcare administration. Although his undergraduate degree was in psychology and education, Charles L Stewart interviewed many professional hospital administrators with years of experience in practice before he made the decision to pursue his Master’s Degree in Counseling and Health Care Administration. Always the avid researcher, Charles L Stewart gathered as much information as possible about his desired profession prior to entering into a particular course of study.

At that time, Charles L Stewart could not have predicted the important role he would play in the transformation of healthcare services. Once Charles L Stewart graduated from the University of Alabama, he received his humble beginnings as assistant administrator for Brynn Marr Hospital. Twenty years into his career, Charles L Stewart would acquire the position of President and CEO of Hutcheson Medical Center. Although the amount of faith the board members had in his abilities was inspiring, Charles L Stewart was apprehensive due to the many challenges he would face as President of the healthcare center. Regarding the beginning of his term as President at Hutcheson Medical Center, Charles L Stewart had this to say: “From day one, there were many challenges facing the administration, including mounting debt and the need for improvement within the facility.”

From day one, his term as President of Hutcheson Medical Center was challenging. However, as a man of strong will and determination, Charles L Stewart successfully refinanced medical center’s outstanding debt as well as increased the quality of services offered within the facility. As a result of Charles L Stewart’s hard work and dedication, Hutcheson Medical Center received a distinction from the local Chamber of Commerce in 2007 upon receipt of the Large Business of the Year Award.

Charles L Stewart is being honored for his role in transforming the organization into an award-winning healthcare facility. Regarding his contributions to Hutcheson Medical Center, Charles L Stewart states, “The five years I spent as President of Hutcheson Medical Center were extremely memorable and rewarding; I’m glad I was able to make positive changes in the organization.”