Names and changes: Business recognitions and promotions for the week of April 21, 2024

Leslie Watson of Virginia Western Community College has received the George B. Vaughan Leadership Award for Outstanding Adjunct Faculty.

Watson, who has served as an adjunct faculty member at Virginia Western since 2007, has spearheaded the efforts of the School of Health Professions in the development of an Introduction to Health Professions college success course.

Watson is also an American Heart Association basic life support instructor at Carilion Clinic. She holds certifications as a radiologic technologist with a specialty in radiography and therapy through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologies. She is certified as an instructor for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid through the American Heart Association and has a certification for Current Professional Terminology Coding.

Her volunteer activities include serving on the board of the American Cancer Society Loudoun Unit; working with the Centra Health’s Witness Project; helping teachers in the Pittsylvania County school district; and working with Pittsylvania County 4-H, Future Farmers of America and Girl Scouts of America.

Carilion Clinic CEO Nancy Howell Agee has received the American Hospital Association’s highest honor: the Distinguished Service Award.

Agee has worked with the AHA for more than 20 years and led Carilion since 2011. Under her direction, Carilion has transformed from a collection of hospitals to a patient-centered, physician-led organization. She has helped forge a partnership with Virginia Tech to create the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, which has graduated more than 400 physicians.

Agee led the AHA Board in 2018, is the current chair of the board of the Coalition to Strengthen America’s Health Care, and previously chaired the AHA Committee on Health Care Strategy and Innovation.

She also served as a member of the Executive Committee, Operations Committee, Committee on Health Systems, and several other task forces and advisory groups, as well as the Joint Commission Board.

Agee received a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Virginia, a master’s degree from Emory University and three honorary doctorates. She holds multiple memberships including chairing Virginia’s Initiative for Growth and Opportunity (GO Va) and serving on Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s Medical Advisory Team.

Her accolades include being perennially named in Modern Healthcare’s 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare, the 50 Most Influential Clinical Executives by Modern Healthcare and receiving the Business Person of the Year from Virginia Business.

Randi Paxton has been appointed vice president and chief operations officer of HopeTree Family Services. In this role, she will lead the agency’s programs and services lines including Therapeutic Foster Care, Therapeutic Group Homes, Developmental Disabilities Ministry, HopeTree Academy, and Family Centered Treatment.

Paxton has 22 years of experience working with youth, adults and families in residential and community-based settings. Before joining HopeTree, she served in leadership roles in a community-based mental health organization. In addition to her leadership experience, Paxton has worked as a clinician with high-risk populations, primarily children and families.

A Roanoke native, she holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from James Madison University. She previously served on the board for the National Alliance on Mental Illness and on the board of directors for the Virginia Association of Community Based Providers.