Baptist Memorial Hospital-Leake longtime CEO retires; New CEO named
CARTHAGE, Miss., Nov. 3, 2026– Baptist Memorial Hospital-Leake Administrator and CEO Daryl Weaver will retire on Dec. 31, and a new administrator and CEO, J. Daniel Ceja, is set to replace Weaver on Jan. 1, 2027.
Weaver, who has led Baptist Leake for 12 years, will retire after more than 40 years in the health care industry. Under his leadership, Baptist Leake has experienced unprecedented growth and achieved an outstanding 5-star CMS rating, reflecting his commitment to providing exceptional quality patient care to the community.
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Daryl for his dedicated leadership and service to Baptist Leake during the past 12 years,” said James Grantham, vice president and administrator of Mississippi operations for Baptist Memorial Health Care. Daryl has been a true servant leader who has made a difference for patients, staff and the community, and we are grateful for his contributions in leading this hospital.
Weaver will work with Ceja for the next two months as he transitions into the role.
I am so proud to end my professional career with the outstanding team at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Leake, said Weaver. Working with these professionals to advance health care in Leake County has been the highlight of my career, and I am confident they, along with Daniel, will continue to make access to high-quality health care a priority for this community.
Ceja most recently served as CEO of North Sunflower Medical Center, a 25-bed critical access hospital in Ruleville, Mississippi. He led hospital operations and a broad continuum of services, including rural health clinics, hospice, durable medical equipment, pharmacy, therapy, surgical and wellness services and a hospital-owned nursing home. Ceja also led strategic planning, policy development, physician and vendor contracting, regulatory compliance, service-line growth and community expansion initiatives. He helped improve financial performance, expand access to care and advance team member engagement.
“I am pleased to welcome Daniel to Baptist Memorial Health Care and Baptist Memorial Hospital-Leake,” said James Granthaam, vice president and administrator of Mississippi operations for Baptist Memorial Health Care. “His combination of rural health care, leadership and financial experience gives him a strong understanding of the challenges facing rural hospitals. This unique perspective positions him as the ideal leader for Baptist Leake now and into the future.”
Ceja’s financial experience includes serving as chief financial officer for North Sunflower from 2019 to 2020 and staff accountant for Jackson, Braswell, Mullins & Bailey P.A. from 2012 to 2018. He obtained his Bachelor of Business Administration from Delta State University and a master’s degree in professional accountancy and business administration from Delta State University.
Baptist Memorial Hospital-Leake is a 25-bed community hospital offering inpatient, outpatient and advanced diagnostic services to communities in Leake County and surrounding areas. Baptist Leake provides specialty services, including Senior Life Solutions Intensive Outpatient Program, a wide range of outpatient specialty services, a 24-hour emergency department, an on-site primary care clinic and two primary care clinics in Walnut Grove and Madden.
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