Shelbourn Stevens stands as a distinguished figure in the healthcare industry, bringing over three decades of executive leadership, strategic insight, and transformative impact across acute and ambulatory healthcare systems. His career reflects a steadfast commitment to operational excellence, visionary leadership, and fostering organizational growth while keeping patients, teams, and communities at the heart of every endeavor. With a proven track record in managing billion-dollar budgets and leading thousands of healthcare professionals, Shelbourn has made a lasting imprint on every institution he has served.
Growing up with a strong sense of service and leadership, Shelbourn’s journey into healthcare began with a passion for improving the lives of others. After earning an Associate of Science degree in Respiratory Therapy from Forsyth Technical Community College, he embarked on his professional path as a Respiratory Care Assistant. Early in his career, he honed his clinical skills while simultaneously cultivating a deep appreciation for the complexities of healthcare delivery systems and patient advocacy, traits that would become central to his leadership style.
Demonstrating remarkable initiative and capability, Shelbourn rose through the ranks at Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center, one of the largest regional healthcare facilities in North Carolina. His years as Administrative Manager and Director of Cardiopulmonary Services equipped him with critical operational expertise and a nuanced understanding of the interplay between patient care, technology, and administrative efficiency. His leadership ensured that clinical departments operated at the highest standards, setting a precedent for his future roles overseeing large, complex health systems.
Driven by a vision for broader impact, Shelbourn transitioned into progressively senior roles, culminating in his leadership as President and Chief Operating Officer of Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center. Here, he managed a dynamic healthcare environment encompassing 900 employees, a 78-bed acute care facility, and $500 million in gross revenue. His achievements included doubling patient census growth, leading strategic expansions, implementing innovative IT solutions like the EPIC EMR conversion, and building deep community partnerships that expanded healthcare access and workforce opportunities.
Shelbourn’s leadership reached new heights as he was appointed Senior Vice President and Coastal Market President for Novant Health. In this pivotal role, he oversaw four hospitals, including a Level 2 trauma center, multiple outpatient facilities, and an employed medical group with a combined operating budget of $1.7 billion and more than 8,000 staff. Under his stewardship, the integration of New Hanover Regional Medical Center into the Novant Health system was successfully executed, with Shelbourn leading cultural transformation, operational harmonization, and strategic brand redefinition across the coastal market.
A hallmark of Shelbourn’s approach is his deep commitment to servant leadership. He believes that the cornerstone of any successful organization lies in empowering its people. His efforts to double the capacity of local nursing programs in collaboration with Cape Fear Community College and UNC Wilmington reflect his dedication to cultivating future healthcare leaders. Moreover, his initiatives in community engagement, such as Project Search for students with learning disabilities, illustrate his belief that healthcare’s impact must extend beyond hospital walls into every facet of the community it serves.
Shelbourn’s expertise is not confined to operations and strategy alone; he possesses a rare ability to lead transformational change during critical periods. His deft handling of emergency operations during Hurricane Florence, ensuring patient and staff safety amidst regional flooding, showcased his courage, resilience, and tactical prowess under extreme pressure. Similarly, his negotiation of a $50 million investment in rural healthcare through the acquisition of Pender Memorial Hospital underscores his aptitude for high-stakes negotiations and his commitment to healthcare accessibility for underserved populations.
Throughout his career, Shelbourn has remained a strong advocate for innovation. He partnered with providers to pioneer robotic surgical programs, significantly increasing surgical case volumes and enhancing clinical capabilities within his facilities. His efforts to integrate cutting-edge healthcare IT infrastructure have ensured that operational systems not only kept pace with the times but also enhanced both patient outcomes and operational efficiencies, positioning his organizations as leaders in the evolving healthcare landscape.
Beyond his executive roles, Shelbourn’s character is marked by humility, perseverance, and an unwavering focus on service. Whether through board memberships with the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce Foundation or his involvement with the American College of Healthcare Executives and the American Association for Respiratory Care, he consistently seeks avenues to give back, mentor others, and champion initiatives that improve the quality of healthcare and community wellbeing.
Today, Shelbourn Stevens continues to share his wealth of experience as a healthcare consultant, offering advisory services in healthcare delivery, capital planning, provider partnerships, IT system rollout, and leadership development. His journey reflects not just professional success, but a lifetime commitment to making a positive difference—wherever leadership, vision, and compassion are needed most.
Character:
Shelbourn exemplifies integrity and servant leadership, consistently putting the needs of patients, communities, and teams at the center of his decisions. His genuine commitment to community development and operational excellence underlines his principled approach to leadership.
Knowledge:
With over 30 years of experience in healthcare operations, strategic growth, and clinical innovation, Shelbourn brings an exceptional breadth and depth of industry expertise. His ability to navigate complex organizational structures and align diverse teams toward common goals showcases his mastery of the healthcare field.
Strategic:
Shelbourn is a forward-thinking leader who has successfully overseen major acquisitions, capital projects, and organizational integrations. His strategic acumen ensures that both short-term objectives and long-term visions are achieved with precision and impact.
Communication:
Shelbourn is an inspiring communicator who builds trust, rallies teams around shared missions, and represents his organizations with professionalism in public, political, and educational spheres. His ability to facilitate negotiations, community partnerships, and leadership development programs highlights his exceptional communication skills.
