Dr. James L. (Jim) Decker is a retired healthcare executive with over 47 years of distinguished leadership experience.  He has held senior executive positions with four different hospitals and health systems in Tennessee and concluded his career as CEO of a regional blood center.

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A native of Zachary, Louisiana, he holds B.S. and M.S. Degrees in Microbiology from Louisiana State University, a Master of Science in Hospital and Health Administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Tennessee, and a Doctor of Health Administration from the Medical University of South Carolina.

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Honors include the UAB Graduate Program in Hospital and Health Administration Alumni Association Award for Academic Excellence (1977), Tennessee Hospital Association Meritorious Service Award for a Chief Executive Officer (1994), UAB Graduate Program in Hospital and Health Administration Alumnus of the Year (1995), Tennessee ACHE Regent’s Award for Senior Level Healthcare Executive (2009), Outstanding Doctoral Student Award, Medical University of South Carolina (2013), Knoxville Business Journal Health Care Hero for Administrative Excellence (2017), Tennessee Association of Blood Banks President’s Award (2023), and MUSC College of Health Professions Distinguished Alumnus of the Year (2023).

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Dr. Decker is a Life Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives and past ACHE Regent for Tennessee.  He is a former Board Member of the Tennessee Hospital Association, the Hospital Alliance of Tennessee, and America’s Blood Centers, and has served on numerous boards of community organizations. He holds Adjunct Faculty appointments at South College and the University of Tennessee.

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Dr. Decker resides in Knoxville, Tennessee, along with his wife, Michelle.