Grady Health System has appointed Christine Guillory as its new Chief Legal Officer, effective January 12, 2026. Guillory will take over from Tim Jefferson, who retired at the end of 2025 after more than 25 years with the organization.
Guillory brings over twenty years of experience in legal and business strategy roles within healthcare, government, nonprofit, and corporate sectors. Her background includes advising organizations on governance, risk management, and decision-making where legal requirements intersect with public trust and organizational mission.
John Haupert, President and CEO of Grady Health System, commented on the appointment: “Christine brings exceptional legal expertise, sound judgment, and a strong record of advising leadership in complex, highly regulated environments. Her collaborative approach to governance, risk management, and decision-making will be invaluable as Grady continues to advance its mission while maintaining the highest standards of integrity, accountability, and public trust. We are also deeply grateful to Tim Jefferson for his many years of service and leadership that helped shape and strengthen Grady’s legal foundation.”
Before joining Grady Health System, Guillory served as Associate General Counsel at Ochsner Health. In that role she managed strategic legal planning for a large network comprising dozens of hospitals and health centers. She advised executive leadership on regulatory compliance issues such as contracting practices and crisis response during significant events like the COVID-19 pandemic. Her work also included policy development related to end-of-life care standards and efforts addressing the opioid epidemic.
As Chief Legal Officer at Grady Health System, Guillory will advise executive leadership and the Board of Directors while overseeing legal operations including enterprise risk management; regulatory compliance; complex contracting; litigation oversight; and support for partnerships involving public programs.
“I am honored to join Grady and to support an organization with such a vital public mission,” said Guillory. “I look forward to partnering with the Board of Directors, executive leadership, clinicians, and staff to provide thoughtful, accountable legal guidance that strengthens governance, upholds public trust, and helps ensure Grady continues to serve our patients and community with integrity and purpose.”
Guillory holds a law degree from USC Gould School of Law as well as undergraduate degrees in International Studies and Italian Studies from Emory University.
