Local Leader Passes Unexpectedly

By Editor | September 23, 2025 |

Local Leader Passes Unexpectedly

Hal Leftwich, respected CEO of Big South Fork Medical Center in Oneida, passed away unexpectedly last week, leaving behind a legacy of leadership, compassion, and dedication to community healthcare. His work over the last seven years served to transform the hospital into a place of healing and hope for countless families across Scott County and the surrounding region, providing a stable place of medical refuge for the rural communities it serves.
From the time he arrived at Big South Fork Medical from the Florida Keys, Leftwich, 69, brought a vision rooted in service. He believed quality healthcare was not only a necessity, but a right that every community deserved – especially rural areas that often go overlooked. Under his leadership, the hospital expanded services, improved patient care, and strengthened its role as a lifeline for the people of the area.
“Hal Leftwich’s leadership was steady and selfless, grounded in the belief that rural healthcare matters,” said Stacey Swann, who worked directly with Leftwich through her role with the Chamber of Commerce. “He inspired us as a county to stand together in hard times, and because of that, our hospital endured and our community grew stronger. He will always be part of our success and will be missed greatly.”
It was a sentiment that was shared by Oneida Mayor Lori Phillips-Jones. “Hal was such an incredible asset to our hospital and our community,” the mayor remembered. “His commitment to the people of Scott County, the Chamber, and its members was tangible and genuine. He will be greatly missed.”
Colleagues and staff remembered him not only as a skilled administrator, but as a mentor and friend. He led with humility, listened with empathy, and worked tirelessly to ensure both patients and employees felt valued across Scott County and throughout his career. His steady hand guided the hospital through challenges, always with an eye toward the long-term well-being of the community.
“Hal Leftwich was a remarkable leader whose dedication and steady guidance shaped not only Big South Fork Medical Center, but the lives of countless patients, staff, and community members. His more than 40 years of healthcare leadership were marked by resilience, loyalty, and compassion, and his legacy will continue to be felt in the rural communities he so deeply cared for,” said Seamus Lagan, CEO of FOXO Technologiges, the parent company of Big South Fork Medical Center. “On behalf of our entire organization, I extend our deepest condolences to his wife, Paula, his family, and all who were privileged to know him. Hal will be greatly missed, but his vision and values will continue to guide us moving forward.”
Beyond the walls of the medical center, Leftwich was deeply invested in the life of Oneida. He supported local initiatives, valued partnerships, and never missed an opportunity to highlight the strength and resilience of the people he served.
“Hal was a soft spoken man with a great passion for healthcare and for Scott County,” said County Mayor Jerried Jeffers. “He will be deeply missed.”
Beyond his professional achievements, Leftwich was devoted to his wife, Paula, and to the animals he lovingly welcomed into his life through rescue.
A Celebration of Life will be held in his honor, with details to follow at a later date.