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Helen Keller’s Buchanan Named to UNA Board of Directors

May 24, 2023 | Reading Time: 2 minutes
Kyle Buchanan

Helen Keller Hospital President Kyle Buchanan has been appointed to the University of North Alabama (UNA) Board of Trustees by Gov. Kay Ivey.

A Tuscumbia native, Kyle has held numerous leadership roles with HH Health since 2009 including Vice President of Operations at Helen Keller Hospital, CEO of Lawrence Medical Center in Moulton, Executive Director of Population Health Initiatives, and Vice President of Women and Children’s Services at Huntsville Hospital. 

Kyle took the reins at Helen Keller and Red Bay Hospitals in April 2019. The hospitals and affiliated clinics work very closely with the University and employ numerous UNA graduates and students. 

“I am grateful to be able to serve the University in this capacity,” Kyle said. “UNA has such a phenomenal reputation across our state and tremendous impact on our students and communities. I sincerely hope to add to the tremendous contributions of other board members and work with other trustees and university leadership to find new ways to take UNA to even greater heights.”

“It is a pleasure to welcome Kyle to the UNA Board of Trustees,” said UNA President Dr. Ken Kitts. “His leadership locally as well as throughout the state is an excellent indicator of the skills he will bring to our Board. I welcome the voice and expertise he will bring to our deliberations.”

Kyle graduated from the University of Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in business and later earned two master’s degrees – in health services administration from the University of Michigan and business administration from UAB.  He also serves on the governing board of Leadership Alabama and is Chairman of the Shoals Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Will Trapp, President Pro Tempore of UNA’s Board of Trustees, highlighted Kyle’s role in the community during the pandemic, citing “his initiative and clear communications” as critical to the local health care response.

Kyle lives in Muscle Shoals with his wife, Dr. Kyrel Buchanan, and their two daughters, Carrington and Callie. His appointment is effective immediatel

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