Nicholas Wells, MD, appointed chief medical officer at AdventHealth Gordon and AdventHealth Murray

AdventHealth Gordon and AdventHealth Murray are pleased to announce that Dr. Nicholas Wells will be joining their leadership team as Chief Medical Officer, effective November 10.

Dr. Wells brings more than two decades of experience in both military and civilian medicine, with board certifications in pediatrics and neonatal-perinatal medicine. His career has been defined by a deep commitment to compassionate care, clinical excellence and innovative leadership — most recently serving in key roles at Erlanger East in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and the Children’s Hospital at Erlanger.

“We are excited to welcome Dr. Wells to AdventHealth,” said Justin Birmele, president and CEO of AdventHealth Gordon and AdventHealth Murray. “Dr. Wells’ leadership and commitment to providing quality care and delivering excellence align perfectly with our focus and how we care for our communities.”

A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Dr. Wells served for 17 years, achieving the rank of Commander and holding leadership positions at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. His time as a General Medical Officer in Afghanistan shaped his approach to leadership, emphasizing accountability, teamwork and grace under pressure.

Dr. Wells also holds a Physician Executive MBA from the University of Tennessee, where his capstone project focused on enhancing NICU operations through Epic EHR optimization — demonstrating his passion for improving systems that support patient care.

“I am excited to join AdventHealth because its mission and values align closely with my own. I have spent most of my career in military medicine where purpose, service, and teamwork were central to everything we did,” said Dr. Wells. “This strong sense of mission is what attracted me to AdventHealth, along with its commitment to quality, safety and doing what is right for the patient. I am confident that my experience and leadership can make a meaningful impact in this organization.”

Outside of his professional life, Dr. Wells enjoys spending time with his wife, Holly, and their four children, with a fifth on the way. Whether cheering on his kids in sports and ballet, tackling home projects, or exploring his new hobby of woodworking, Dr. Wells brings the same energy and curiosity to his personal life that he does to his work. He’s also an avid college football fan — especially of Clemson — and enjoys golfing and spending time outdoors.