Jeff Strickler Named President of UNC Health Rockingham

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

EDEN, N.C., December 2, 2025 – Jeff Strickler, DHA, RN, has been named President of UNC Health Rockingham, effective Dec. 18. Strickler will replace Steve Eblin who is retiring after leading Rockingham since 2019.

As he assumes a new leadership role at Rockingham, Strickler will continue to serve as President of UNC Health Chatham, a position he has held since 2019. Strickler also serves as Chief Operating Officer for UNC Hospitals’ Hillsborough Campus. He will remain in that role until a new leader is selected for that facility.

Strickler first joined UNC Hospitals in 2003 and has been a highly effective leader across several roles. As President of UNC Health Chatham, he helped to guide a Carolina Care culture that has resulted in system-leading performance in patient experience scores. He has led UNC Hospitals’ Hillsborough Campus since its opening and guided the facility through subsequent growth, including the opening of an expanded patient tower and surgical tower.  

“I am so excited by the opportunity to lead the outstanding team of providers at UNC Health Rockingham to care for the people of Eden and the surrounding communities,” Strickler said.  

UNC Health CEO, Cristy Page, MD, MPH, says that Strickler’s record of success gives her confidence that he can lead both Rockingham and Chatham into the future. 

“Jeff Strickler has succeeded in multiple leadership opportunities over his more than 20 years at UNC Health, and I am confident that he’ll be successful here as well,” Page said.  

UNC Health’s Chief Operating Officer, Jeff Lindsay, expressed his excitement for Strickler to build upon an already strong foundation at Rockingham.

“Thanks to the outstanding leadership of Steve Eblin, and the amazing team at UNC Health Rockingham, there is already a strong culture of patient care, quality, and safety. I’m grateful to Steve for helping to build that culture and look forward to watching as Jeff continues to carry it forward.”

Strickler’s clinical background is as a Registered Nurse and Paramedic with extensive experience in Emergency, Trauma and Transport Nursing. He serves as an adjunct faculty member at UNC’s School of Nursing and UNC’s Gilling’s School of Global Public Health and is also involved in several community organizations including the Chatham County and Hillsborough/ Orange County Chamber of Commerce and the United Way of Chatham County. Previously, he was a past board member for the Ronald McDonald House in Chapel Hill and the South Orange Rescue Squad.    

UNC Health Rockingham is a nonprofit, 108-bed community hospital preserving excellent, compassionate and trusted care where it is needed most: close to home. As a cornerstone in Eden, N.C., and a major employer, UNC Health Rockingham serves people throughout Rockingham County and in neighboring Southern Virginia areas. In addition to inpatient, outpatient, surgical and emergency care, the hospital offers diagnostic and treatment services, provides screenings and tests, and leads wellness initiatives. More information about UNC Health Rockingham may be found at uncrockingham.org.

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