Lutheran Health Network Names New CEO for St. Joseph Hospital
“A Michigan healthcare executive will lead St. Joseph Hospital in Fort Wayne in what the parent company describes as ‘one of the most significant moments in its storied history.’ Lutheran Heath Network has appointed Karen Fordham as Chief Executive Officer of the downtown medical facility,” WPTA 21 reports. “Fordham offers more than 20 years of experience in healthcare operations. For much of the past decade, that experience has included administrative roles with the Detroit Medical Center system. Her tenure with DMC included serving as president and CEO of Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital, a 158 bed full-service, community teaching hospital approximately 40 miles northwest of downtown Detroit.”
Baptist Health Acquires Hardin Memorial Hospital
“The Hardin Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees — comprised of the members of Hardin Fiscal Court — voted 8-1 Tuesday [May 22] afternoon to approve the sale of the health system to longtime manager Baptist Health,” according to The Messenger. “After the acquisition is finalized, the system will be known as Baptist Health Hardin, keeping with Baptist Health’s tradition of linking the hospital name with its geographic location. Under terms of the agreement, Baptist Health will acquire all assets of HMH and, in return, will commit $235 million over 10 years to the properties in operating and capital investments, said Curt Whelan of Huron Consulting Group, who assisted in the deal.”
Methodist Recognized as One of the Most Diverse Health Systems in the Country
“Methodist Health System came in at No. 2 on DiversityInc’s list of most diverse health systems and hospitals in the U.S,” reports D CEO Healthcare. “’This is a tremendous accomplishment for Methodist. We prioritize intentional inclusion and diversity, with leadership collaboratives at each of our entities,’ Methodist CEO Stephen Mansfield said in a statement. ‘My team and I believe diversity and intentional inclusion enhances the quality of care we provide, opens our staff to new ideas and best practices, and increases employee satisfaction and engagement.’”
Tommy J. Smith, Retired Baptist Health CEO, Dies
“Tommy J. Smith, retired president and CEO at Baptist Health from 1995-2013, died early Thursday [May 17], Baptist Health announced in a news release Friday. He was 74,” according to The Lane Report. “Smith retired April 15, 2013 after a 37-year career with Baptist Health. The Baptist Healthcare System Inc. rebranded in 2012 as Baptist Health. Under his leadership, Baptist Healthcare went from a $400 million company to one with more than $1.6 billion in net revenue. ‘We are saddened by the death of a man whose quiet determination and consistent vision led the way for Baptist Health to expand its mission and provide quality care close to home for thousands of Kentuckians,’ said Allen Rudd, chairman of the Baptist Health Board of Directors.”
Methodist Hospital of Henderson Continues Discussing Affiliation with Deaconess
“Methodist Hospital and Evansville-based Deaconess Health System are continuing a three-years-old discussion about an affiliation, but no final agreement between the healthcare providers has been reached, Henderson Mayor Steve Austin said,” Courier & Press reports. “Under any affiliation agreement, the board governing Henderson’s hospital would have a majority of Methodist Hospital representatives, said Benny Nolen, CEO of Methodist Hospital. Nolen said in a prepared statement that the affiliation, if approved, would ‘increase the services provided by Methodist and local physicians to the people of Henderson and western Kentucky. Both Methodist and Deaconess are local hospitals, whose leaders and physicians understand and support local governance, as well as locally-provided healthcare.’”
