Executive Staff

 

Sheldon Barr

President

Sheldon Barr began serving CMH as President in 2022. With more than 20 years of experience in health care leadership roles at the system level and in community hospital settings, Barr comes to VCU Health from HCA Florida South Shore Hospital in Sun City Center, Florida, where she served as chief executive officer. Prior to this role, she served as chief operating officer at Chippenham Hospital in Chesterfield County where she was responsible for strategic planning and execution of growth plans across key areas, such as trauma, cardiovascular, and burn care. During her time with HCA, Barr was recognized as the HCA Executive Development Program 2021 Mentor of Year and was a recipient of the Frist Humanitarian Award, which recognizes the highest achievements in serving others. She earned a Master of Science and Bachelor of Science, both in nursing, from the University of Virginia, and a Master of Business Administration from Western Governors University.

Listen to Sheldon Barr's podcast on advancing health care in rural communities.

Todd Howell, FACHE

Vice President of Professional Services

Howell is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). For twenty-four years he has served hospitals and health systems, most recently as Interim Executive at Scotland Health Care System in Laurinburg, N.C. He previously held leadership positions at Columbus Regional Healthcare System in Whiteville, N.C. and Essentia Health in Graceville, Mn. Howell received his BA Degree in Pastoral Ministries from Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida and his Masters Degree in Healthcare Administration from Bellevue University in Bellevue, Nebraska. 

 

Mary Hardin, MSN RN,OCN

Vice President of Patient Care Services

Mary Hardin, MSN, RN, OCN began her career with Community Memorial Hospital in May 1987 as a nursing assistant. Prior to assuming her position as Vice President of Patient Care Services at Community Memorial Hospital, Mrs. Hardin held various clinical and administrative positions including Licensed Practical Nurse, Registered Nurse, Patient Care Coordinator, Nursing Supervisor, Clinical Education Coordinator and Director of Oncology. She has been the Cancer Center Director since 1998.

Mary received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Barton College and Master of Science in Nursing from Walden University.

 

Brenda T. Palmore, DHA, FACMPE, FASPR

Vice President of Practice Management & Business Development

Brenda Palmore was born at Community Memorial Hospital and raised in the area. She has been employed with CMH since 1999. Dr. Palmore has a Bachelor of Science in Business Admin with a concentration in Management from Longwood and a Master of Business Admin from Averett University. She received her Doctorate of Health Care Administration and Leadership from the Medical University of South Carolina.

Dr. Palmore is a Fellow of the American College of Medical Practice Executives and a Fellow of the Association of Staff Physician Recruiters (FASPR).  Additionally, she earned Lean Six Sigma Certification, Yellow Belt. 

 

Ikenna Ibe MD, MPH, MBA, FACP

Vice President of Medical Affairs & Chief Medical Officer

Dr. Ikenna Ibe came to VCU Health CMH as the Medical Director of the hospitalist group. Prior to coming to VCU Health CMH, he had been a hospitalist and the director of the hospitalist program at St. Mary’s Hospital in Richmond, VA.

As Vice President of Medical Affairs & Chief Medical Officer at VCU Health CMH, he enhances the collaboration between the clinical programs at VCU main hospital and the members of the medical staff at VCU Health CMH. He is also the liaison between the medical staff and the hospital administration.

Dr. Ibe obtained his medical degree from the University of Calabar in Nigeria, and did his Internal Medicine residency in New Jersey, and a fellowship in Occupational & Environment Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut. He is board certified by both the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Preventive Medicine. He also holds a Master’s Degree in Public Health from Yale University and an MBA from VCU.

He continues to see patients in the hospital and provide direction to the hospitalist.