South Central Regional Medical Center Welcomes New Chief Financial Officer, Stephen East

LAUREL, Miss. — July 15, 2025 — South Central would like to announce the recent hiring of a new Chief Financial Officer, Stephen East.

East is an experienced professional with more than 30 years of experience in financial and operational management, strategic management, process improvement and business development in both medical and non-medical settings.

He is a Mississippi native, who received his bachelor’s degree in professional accounting from Mississippi State University in 1988, and he is excited to return to Mississippi to step into this new administrative role.

Throughout his career, East has served in financial, operations, administrative or business development roles at River Parishes Hospital, Ville Platte Medical Center and Singing River Health System. In addition to these roles, he also owned and operated a consulting and contracting business, Compt90 Services. Most recently, East served as CFO at Thibodaux Regional Medical Center in Thibodaux, Louisiana.

“We have devoted a great deal of time and consideration to choosing a candidate to fill this critical position,” said SCRMC President and CEO Gregg Gibbes. “We have big plans for the future, and we are confident that Stephen’s years of experience and proven success will aid in accomplishing those goals.”

In his new role, East will direct South Central’s financial operations and oversee operational and capital budgets, reporting and identifying opportunities to increase fiscal efficiency and drive sustainable growth.

“I am thrilled to join the team at SCRMC,” said East. “Being able to return to Mississippi and join a patient-centered, progressive multi-facility organization that has expanded-service offerings, fulfills multiple personal and professional goals. SCRMC is growing rapidly, and I am excited to witness and help fuel that growth.”

SCRMC is excited to welcome East to its administrative staff and his family to the community.