John Ballard, physician practice manager for Natchez Community Hospital, has been promoted to assistant administrator of the Jamestown Regional Medical Center in Jamestown, Tenn.

Both hospitals are owned by HMA of Naples, Fla.

The assistant administrator position is the first step in HMA’s CEO training program. As an entry level hospital administrator, Ballard will operate as one of the key managers of the hospital and will be involved in all aspects of operations.

Ballard has been with HMA since February 2005. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science from LSU, a master’s in business administration from Alcorn State University, and is pursuing a Ph.D. in health systems administration from Walden University.