Muskegon, Michigan – Hackley Community Care (HCC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Byron Varnado, MD, as its new Chief Medical Officer (CMO). Dr. Varnado, a distinguished physician with over 20 years of healthcare leadership experience, succeeds Dr. Leslie Kingsley, who is stepping down after five years as CMO to focus on direct patient care.
Dr. Byron Varnado, a respected member of the HCC team since 2020, brings with him over 20 years of healthcare leadership experience. Prior to joining HCC, Dr. Varnado served as the Medical Director of Harborwood Family Medicine for 18 years and currently serves as the Medical Director for Access Health. His extensive background in healthcare administration and patient care makes him a natural fit for the CMO role.
“We are thrilled to have Dr. Varnado step into this critical leadership position,” said Michael Weessies, Chief Executive Officer. “His experience and vision for the future of HCC will guide us as we continue to provide quality care for our community.”
Dr. Varnado expressed his enthusiasm for the new role, stating, “I am honored to take on the responsibilities of CMO and continue building upon the strong foundation Dr. Kingsley has built these past few years. I look forward to working closely with our talented team to ensure that we continue to deliver exceptional care while navigating the evolving healthcare landscape.”
“Dr. Kingsley’s dedication and leadership have been invaluable,” said Weessies. “Her unwavering commitment to our patients, especially during the pandemic, has been remarkable. We are fortunate to retain her expertise as a physician and look forward to her continued support in building educational partnerships, community health understanding and executing our organizational mission.”
In the coming weeks, Dr. Varnado will work closely with Dr. Kingsley to ensure a smooth handover of responsibilities. Reflecting his ongoing commitment to patient care, Dr. Varnado will continue to spend 75% of his time treating his patient panel, balancing leadership and hands-on care.