Chief Operating Officer
Kristy Thomson, M.S.
Kristy Thomson serves as the Chief Operating Officer of HomeTown Health, a network of rural and critical-access hospitals, and its education arm, HomeTown Health University (HTHU). She leads operations, strategic initiatives, and workforce development programs that support rural hospitals across the U.S. Since joining HomeTown Health in 2006, she has played a pivotal role in expanding educational opportunities, strengthening rural healthcare leadership, and advancing innovative solutions that improve access to care and organizational sustainability.
As the former Director of Education, Kristy built and led HomeTown Health University, overseeing educational programming that has served more than 100,000 healthcare professionals through live, virtual, and on-demand learning. She directed curriculum development, faculty engagement, continuing education accreditation, and regulatory compliance while supporting state and federal grant initiatives. Today, she continues to oversee HomeTown Health University while leading the organization's operational strategy and member services.
She has helped develop statewide and national initiatives that prepare rural healthcare organizations to implement AI in practical, ethical, and sustainable ways, including partnerships with academic institutions, technology leaders, and healthcare organizations focused on strengthening the rural workforce.
She serves on numerous state and national advisory groups, including the Georgia GREAT Health Advisory Council, Georgia Department of Community Health Continuous Program Improvement – Healthcare Access Committee, the Georgia Rural Workforce Advisory Committee, the Anthem-Medical Association of Georgia Advisory Committee, the Georgia Clinical Transformation Team, the Georgia Maternal Health Task Force, Washington Rural AI Committee and the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) Awards Committee.
A native of Toccoa, Georgia, Kristy earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Clemson University and a Master of Science degree from the University of Georgia.