MED MOVES: MetroHealth CEO plans to retire, Providence names new Northern California executive, and more

Akram Boutros

MetroHealth CEO announces retirement plans

Dr. Akram Boutros has announced his plans to retire as president and CEO of The MetroHealth System in Cleveland, Ohio. His retirement will be effective December 31, 2022.

Boutros has been CEO of MetroHealth for more than eight years. Since taking over as CEO, MetroHealth’s revenue has nearly doubled, rising from $785 million to more than $1.5 billion. Since 2013, the health system has opened two hospitals, three emergency departments, 10 community health centers and other facilities.

The system’s workforce has risen from 6,200 to 8,000. In 2019, he instituted a minimum wage of $15 per hour.

“I fell in love with MetroHealth the first time I visited, and it has been the privilege of a lifetime to be its CEO,” Boutros said in a statement. “I never imagined that we would have accomplished so much so quickly. Over the past 8½ years, The MetroHealth System has emerged as a national leader, renowned for its focus on the community, and distinguished for its financial strength.”

Laureen Driscoll

Providence names new leader in Northern California

Laureen Driscoll has been named regional chief executive of Providence’s Northern California division, effective Jan. 17.

In her new role, Driscoll will lead a region with six hospitals: Santa Rosa Memoria Hospital, Petaluma Valley Hospital, Healdsburg Hospital, Queen of the Valley Medical Center in Napa, and St. Joseph Hospital and Redwood Memorial Hospital, both in Humboldt County. Her selection was announced Nov. 29.

Driscoll currently serves as president of Tacoma General and Allenmore Hospitals and is the West Pierce and Kitsap market leader for MultiCare Health System in Tacoma, Wash. Previously, Driscoll was president of MultiCare Deaconess Hospital in Spokane, Wash.

Richard Fisher

“I have dedicated my career to caring for people in need and the pursuit of health care excellence,” Driscoll said in a news release. “I’m excited to continue my professional journey at Providence, where community-centered care is supported by a broad and deep collection of outstanding health care services.”

Fox Chase Cancer Center CEO stepping down

Richard Fisher has stepped down from his role as president and CEO of the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. The move was announced Nov. 24.

Fisher was named president and CEO of Fox Chase in 2013. He’s also relinquishing his roles as Fox’s Cancer Center Director and Senior Associate Dean for Cancer Programs at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University. Fox Chase is part of the Temple University Health System.

“Richard I. Fisher has led the Center through a dynamic nine-year period,” Michael Young, president and CEO of Temple University Health System and Temple University Hospital, said in a statement.

Robert G. Uzzo, chair of surgery for Fox Chase, has been appointed interim CEO of American Oncologic Hospital, while a national search for a permanent CEO is conducted.

Scott Raynes

David Wiest, PhD, has been appointed as the Scientific Director of The Research Institute of Fox Chase Cancer Center, effective Dec. 1.

Southeast Georgia Health selects new CEO

Scott Raynes will become the new CEO of the Southeast Georgia Health System in January 2022.

He succeeds Michael Scherneck, who has been CEO for the last five years. Scherneck, who has spent 18 years at Southeast Georgia, is retiring. The selection of Raynes was announced Nov. 29.

“Southeast Georgia Health System is an excellent organization that is positioned to meet the growing health care needs of the community. I am honored to be selected to lead the Health System and look forward to working with the excellent medical staff and team members to build on its long-standing legacy,” Raynes said in a statement.

Luke Lawrimore

Raynes has served as president of Baptist Hospitals, Inc. and executive vice president of Baptist Healthcare Corp in Pensacola, Florida, since 2013, overseeing the operations of the organization’s five hospitals.

He also previously served as president and CEO at NorthCrest Medical Center/NorthCrest Health System in Springfield, Tenn., and as president and CEO at Preston Memorial Hospital in Kingwood, W. Va.

Altru names CEO for new hospital in North Dakota

Luke Lawrimore has been named CEO of the future Altru Rehabilitation Hospital in Grand Forks, N.D.

The 40-bed rehabilitation hospital, a joint venture between Altru and Encompass Health, is slated to open in June 2022. Lawrimore’s appointment was announced Nov. 15.

Lawrimore has served in multiple leadership roles at Encompass Health since 2015. For the past three years, he has held leadership posts at Encompass Health of Dothan, including rotations of director of therapy operations, interim director of case management, and hospital administrator. He also previously served as therapy team leader and supervisor at Encompass Health of North Alabama.

“We are thrilled to welcome Luke to Grand Forks to lead the team who will expand our rehabilitative care,” Janice Hamscher, chief nursing officer at Altru, said in a news release.