Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Formerly the COO of Wesley Medical Center, Steve Edgar will replace retiring Steve Harris as CEO of Galichia Heart Hospital. Galichia is a campus of HCA affiliate, Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas.
The transition will take place through December as Steve Harris winds down his six year tenure with the hospital.
“We are very excited to have Steve Edgar as the new CEO of Galichia Heart Hospital. He has proved himself to be an outstanding administrator and will do an amazing job of growing Galichia into a thriving, surgical-specialty hospital,” said Hugh Tappan, President/CEO, Wesley Medical Center.
“It’s an amazing opportunity for me to lead a first-class health delivery system and continue Galichia Heart Hospital’s dedication to meeting the health care needs of the community while ensuring continued excellent medical services,“ Edgar said.
Edgar started his HCA career when he joined Wesley Medical in 2007. While there he oversaw construction projects, renovations and the expansions of Wesley Care Clinics. Edgar has served as Wesley's COO since 2009.
Prior to that Steve served with HCA affiliate Research Medical Center in Kansas where he oversaw the center's rehabilitation services department and coordinated its medical residency program.
Edgar has also served on various local boards of directors including the Child Advocacy Center of Sedgwick County, E.C. Tyree Health Clinic, the Wichita Business Coalition on Health Care and the American Heart Association.
Both he and his wife, Lynne, have worked with the Go Red for Women American Heart Association campaign.
Wesley Medical has not named a replacement COO for Edgar as of yet.
Galichia is a 99-bed full-service hospital with a staff of over 150 physicians.
Retiring CEO Steve Harris made his announcement in November. The official date of his retirement is December 31st. Harris joined Galichia in 2006 and oversaw its transition to a campus of Wesley Medical Center in February 2012.
“Under Steve Harris’ Leadership, Galichia Heart Hospital Has Developed A First-Class Health Delivery System In East Wichita,” Said Tappan. “He Has Been An Outstanding Leader Dedicated To Meeting The Health Care Needs Of The Community And Ensuring Excellent Medical Services. We Wish Steve And His Wife, Kai, The Best.”
Galichia has experienced many firsts under Harris, earning Chest Pain Center Accreditation from the Society of Chest Pain Centers, launching a 15-minute Wait Time Campaign for emergency room patients and making Wichita a destination for medical tourism by charging a flat fee on some popular surgical procedures.
Harris said he has been blessed to work with so many talented people over the years.
“The hospital is in a great place today,” Harris said. “I love HCA’s focus on quality and I’m honored to have been a part of moving Galichia Heart Hospital into such capable hands."
Of his retirement, Harris says, “I’m working on getting my commercial pilot license.”
Harris became a certified air traffic controller in 1968, earned his private pilot license in 1976, his instrument rating in 1984 and his multi-engine rating in 2011. He currently owns a Cessna 182RG.
Congratulations to both men.
