Some leaders are shaped in boardrooms. Others are built on the field. James Brady Washburn falls into the second group.
A former Division I athlete turned healthcare executive, Washburn brings the grit, discipline, and team-first mindset of football to one of the most overlooked parts of medicine—wound care.
Now serving as CEO of Mid South Wound LLC, Washburn leads a company that provides bedside wound care services to patients across the Southeast. His approach is simple but effective: show up, listen, and lead with purpose.
“This work matters. The patients we serve are often the ones people forget about. I’ve made it my job not to,” he says.
Growing Up in a Football Family
Washburn’s early years were full of movement—and football. His father, Jim Washburn, coached in the NFL for years. His brother, Jeremiah Washburn, is now with the Philadelphia Eagles. Football wasn’t just a sport in the Washburn household—it was part of the family culture.
“We moved a lot because of my dad’s job,” Washburn explains. “But the game was a constant. It taught me how to adapt, how to compete, and how to lead.”
He eventually settled in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where he made headlines in high school. In 1998, he was named Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Arkansas, an honour that put him on the radar of top college programs.
A Career on the Field—and in the Classroom
Washburn began his college football journey at Clemson University in 1998. After two seasons, he transferred to Appalachian State University, where he continued to compete at a high level until 2002.
By 2007, he had earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Lipscomb University. That degree gave him the business tools he needed to transition from football to executive leadership.
“Football gave me toughness. Business school gave me structure,” Washburn says. “Both have been key in building the way I lead now.”
Leading Mid South Wound with Discipline and Care
Today, Washburn is the CEO of Mid South Wound LLC. The company focuses on delivering bedside wound care, often for elderly or long-term care patients who need regular, expert attention.
Wound care may not make headlines, but it’s a serious issue. According to the National Institutes of Health, over 6 million Americans suffer from chronic wounds. Many are seniors or people recovering from surgery or trauma. These patients often fall through the cracks of larger healthcare systems.
Washburn sees that problem clearly—and is trying to fix it.
“We’re not just managing wounds,” he says. “We’re helping people get their lives back. That takes time, skill, and a team that actually cares.”
Bringing a Team-First Mentality to Healthcare
Washburn runs his company like a locker room. Everyone has a role. Everyone has a voice. And no one is bigger than the mission.
He says his time on the field taught him to respect every position—from quarterback to trainer. That lesson still applies today.
“Leadership isn’t shouting orders. It’s listening. It’s helping people do their jobs better,” he says. “That’s how you win in football. It’s how you win in business too.”
Washburn spends time working closely with clinicians, support staff, and operations teams to keep things running smoothly. He’s also working on launching Mid South Wound’s new website, which will help providers and families understand the services they offer.
Family and Football Still Matter
Off the clock, Washburn is a dad first. He has four children, and his son, Cash Washburn, is already gaining attention as a high school football player at Rabun Gap High School in Georgia.
“Watching my son chase his dream—it brings everything full circle,” Washburn says. “I see the same fire in him that my dad saw in me.”
Despite the demands of running a healthcare business, he makes time for family, saying it keeps him grounded and focused on what really matters.
Lessons From the Field to the Frontlines
Washburn’s journey—from award-winning high school athlete, to college football competitor, to healthcare CEO—has been driven by a clear set of values: discipline, loyalty, compassion, and consistency.
He doesn’t use business jargon or grand promises. Instead, he talks about showing up, serving others, and keeping your word.
“Whether you’re lining up on third and long or walking into a facility with 30 patients to care for—it’s about commitment,” he says. “People are counting on you.”
Final Thoughts: Quiet Leadership, Big Impact
In a world full of noise, James Brady Washburn leads by example. He’s not flashy. He’s not chasing attention. But his impact is real—on the patients he serves, the people he leads, and the legacy he continues to build.
He’s living proof that what you learn on the field can shape how you lead in life.
“At the end of the day,” Washburn says, “you lead the way you live. And I try to live with purpose.”
For more on healthcare leadership, operational insights, and stories from the field, follow our ongoing spotlight series.
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James Brady Washburn: From the Gridiron to Healthcare Leadership