SCHA Announces Prisma Health Executive Hunter Kome as 2025 Zero Harm Leadership Award Winner
The South Carolina Hospital Association (SCHA) is proud to announce Hunter Kome, CEO of Prisma Health Oconee Memorial Hospital and Prisma Health Baptist Easley Hospital, as the recipient of our 2025 Zero Harm Leadership Award. This prestigious honor recognizes leaders who strive for Zero Harm at every level of their organization. Award winners have a demonstrated track record of commitment to creating sustainable cultures of safety throughout their healthcare system.
Under Kome’s leadership, Prisma Health Oconee Memorial Hospital has earned advanced certifications for stroke care, knee replacements, maternity care, and its hospice program, a testament to Kome’s vision of safety operationalized throughout the organization. The hospital performs daily safety huddles and regular executive rounding while providing transparent communication at every level of the organization, ensuring safety is embedded in its standard operating procedures.
And that commitment has delivered tangible results, including:
- Zero Central-Line Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI) in 2025
- 12.4% reduction in Patient Safety Indicator rates
- Falls with major injury reduced from 7% to 3% year-over-year
- Over 1,800 “Great Catch” reports since 2022, which drive system-wide improvements
Beyond measurable outcomes, Hunter has cultivated a culture of trust and psychological safety, with 94.4% of staff affirming patient safety as a priority and 97% staff participation in engagement surveys, placing Oconee Memorial in the national top decile for engagement.
“Hunter Kome is not only a champion of zero harm—he is a catalyst for cultural transformation,” said Thornton Kirby, President and CEO of SCHA. “His leadership demonstrates what is possible when safety becomes a shared responsibility. Hunter’s vision and results inspire all of us to strive for the highest standards of care.”
Hunter’s dedication extends beyond clinical care to governance and philanthropy, securing over $6.8 million in FY25 to expand programs in behavioral health, neonatal intensive care, robotic surgery, emergency services, and cancer care. His commitment to Just Culture, leadership development, and patient engagement ensures that safety remains a shared responsibility across the organization.
The SCHA Zero Harm Leadership Award celebrates leaders who believe that zero harm is possible and work tirelessly to make it a reality. Hunter Kome exemplifies this vision, making South Carolina’s healthcare system safer and stronger for all.
Media Contact: Karlin Gill, kgill@scha.org, 803.744.3543