Chad Patrick, CEO of Meadowview Regional Medical Center has resigned effective Dec. 31.
Rumors of Patrick’s resignation began to circulate in the community over the weekend and on Tuesday, Diane Huggins, media relations for LifePoint Hospitals in Brentwood, Tenn. confirmed Patrick’s resignation.
According to Huggins, Patrick is moving on to “another opportunity” as of Dec. 31, but wouldn’t divulge if Patrick is moving to another LifePoint facility or not.
“We’ll really miss Chad, he’s done a great job,” said Larry Schlomer, chairman of MRMC Board of Trustees. “We were saddened by Chad’s decision to leave, but it was a great opportunity for him.”
Schlomer said Patrick brought a “renaissance” to the quality of care at the hospital and his relationship with MRMC staff.
Schlomer cited the new emergency room and the purchase of Ohio Valley Heart during Patrick’s tenure as a measure of the strides the hospital has taken under his leadership.
Schlomer said the board of trustees and LifePoint management will work together to bring a new CEO to the hospital to continue toward the goal of making MRMC a true area medical center.
MRMC Chief of Staff Dr. Eric Lohman said Patrick’s departure was a shock for the board, but “he has an opportunity he couldn’t pass up.”
Lohman is a cardiologist with Ohio Valley Heart, which was purchased by MRMC/LifePoint earlier this year. Lohman said the last two and half years have been a real changing point for OVH, and without Patrick and LifePoint, the merger wouldn’t have been possible.
Lohman also noted Patrick is leaving on good terms with MRMC physicians, staff and LifePoint management and he has served as an excellent bridge between physicians and the hospital.
“He’s leaving to better himself,” Lohman said. “For me, he was a friend as well as an excellent CEO for the hospital.”
Huggins said Ron Butler, a ” seasoned CEO,” with LifePoint, will assume the reigns of the hospital effective Jan. 1, 2011. Huggins said Butler has “served at other facilities with LifePoint,” when asked about his credentials and what hospitals he has served as CEO.
Huggins said LifePoint will conduct a national search to find the best possible candidate for the MRMC position.
“He has helped improve the quality and services at Meadowview Regional Medical Center,” Huggins said of Patrick’s tenure at MRMC.
Patrick was not available for comment Tuesday, although he did reply via email communication he would be available for comment Thursday.
Patrick came to MRMC in May 2008, following the resignation of former CEO David Loving in January 2008. John Faulkner of Franklin, Tenn., served as interim CEO of MRMC from February 2008 until Patrick’s hiring.
Patrick came to Maysville from Dayton, Ohio. At the time, he had worked as a CEO for almost 10 years, including positions in Orlando, Fla., Lake Havsu, Ariz., Dayton, Ohio, and Cincinnati.
Contact marla.toncray@lee.net or call 606-564-9091, ext. 275.
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