Well, fall is upon us and great things are happening at HCA. Already two veteran division presidents, Steve E. Corbeil and Mel Lagarde, are taking on new responsibilities. In addition, one of our young execs, Faraaz Yousuf, has been recognized by Modern Healthcare as one of the 2011 Up and Comers.
Formally the President of HCA's Midwest Division in Kansas City since 2007, Steve will replace Larry Kloess as President of the Nashville-based TriStar Division for HCA. Larry had announced his retirement earlier this month.
Mel Lagarde, longtime President of the Delta Division, will become President of HCA's newly-named MidAmerica Division, which will be based in Kansas City. This new division encompasses the current Delta Division in New Orleans and the MidWest Division. Along with that good news, a number of division staff will remain in the New Orleans area to maintain our market presence.
The merger is clearly a move in the right direction. As Paul Rutledge, President of HCA's Central Group notes, “The merger of Delta and Midwest, two of our smaller divisions, makes sense for a number of reasons. Joining the two divisions enables us to improve efficiency while continuing to support our hospitals and creating a multi-market operating unit similar to most other HCA divisions.”
Of the two announcements, Paul says, “Steve and Mel are veteran HCA division presidents with proven track records as outstanding multi-hospital leaders. Their familiarity with HCA’s culture will serve them well in their new roles.”
Mel, 54, had been the President of the Delta Division since 1995 and is now responsible for 18 hospitals and six ambulatory surgery centers throughout Missouri, Kansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Part of his region as the Delta Division President included Corpus Christi and Austin. A year prior to that role, Mel headed the Gulf Coast Division as Chief Operating Officer. His extensive experience also showcases leadership positions at several HCA hospitals in Georgia, Virginia and Texas.
Steve Corbeil, 51, will oversee 17 HCA hospitals and 9 surgery centers around Tennessee, Georgia and Kentucky along with 7 facilities in HCA's hometown in Middle Tennessee. Prior to 2007, Steve held several senior-level, multi-market leadership positions with Tenet Healthcare and was HCA's CEO of Medical City Dallas from 1996 to 2000.
And then we have young Faraaz Yousuf, 34, recently chosen among 12 executives as one of Modern Healthcare's 2011 Up and Comers. Faraaz graduated the COODP Program in 2010 and is currently the Chief Operating Officer of Good Samaritan Hospital.
Please join me in congratulating these gentlemen on their successes with HCA.