Cory Darling has been named president and CEO of Ascension St. Vincent's Southside, effective March 1, 2026.
Darling served as president and CEO of Ascension St. Vincent's St. Johns County, where he led the hospital's successful operational start-up. Under his leadership, the hospital achieved year-over-year growth annually while establishing deep community roots and a culture centered on Mission-focused care and service excellence.
"Cory has a proven ability to lead with purpose and deliver results that matter for our patients and our community," said Scott Kashman, interim market lead of Ascension St. Vincent's. "His experience strengthening operations at St. Johns County will help position Southside to continue growing as a vital resource for Jacksonville families."
With 18 years of hospital administration and operational leadership experience across multiple markets, Darling previously held COO roles at Memorial Hospital Jacksonville, TriStar Hendersonville Medical Center in Hendersonville, Tenn., and West Valley Medical Center in Caldwell, Idaho, all within HCA.
He earned his master's degree in business administration from Vanderbilt University's Owen Graduate School of Management and a bachelor's degree in business administration from Belmont University.
Sean McAfee, chief nursing officer and chief operating officer at St. Vincent's St. Johns County, has been named interim president of the hospital.
