JOEL SOUTHERN APPOINTED PERMANENT CEO AT HAYWOOD PARK COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

Joel Southern

Joel Southern has been named permanent Chief Executive Officer of Haywood Park Community Hospital, Brownsville, Tenn., effective immediately. He has served as interim chief executive officer since August 2012.

“Haywood Park is an important resource to this community,” said Southern. “I’ve enjoyed working with the medical staff, board and employees of Haywood Park over the past six months and look forward to building upon the groundwork we’ve laid together.”

In his previous role as Chief Nursing Officer at Henderson County Community Hospital, Southern contributed to the hospital’s designation as a Joint Commission Top Performer on Key Quality Measures two years in a row. The hospital was also recognized for excellence in inpatient and employee satisfaction as well as outstanding performance on Core Measures. Before that, as CNO at Parkway Medical Center in Decatur, Alabama, the hospital received the “Best in Value” award and was accredited by the Society of Chest Pain Centers and as a Bariatric Center of Excellence.

“Joel’s career has been dedicated to achieving the highest standards of quality and providing patients with exceptional service,” said Michael Banks, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Haywood Park Community Hospital. “His expertise will only enhance Haywood Park’s reputation of delivering the finest care to the people we serve.”

Southern received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing with concentrations in Hospital and Healthcare Administration from the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

CEO TO LEAVE HAYWOOD PARK COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

Jeremy Gray, Chief Executive Officer of Haywood Park Community Hospital, Brownsville, Tenn., is leaving his post effective September 1, 2012.

“I am proud of the work we have done together at Haywood Park and will miss the camaraderie with this outstanding team of board, employees, physicians and volunteers who provide personalized, quality care,” said Gray. “This decision was difficult because of the great working relationships we have here.”

Gray joined Haywood Park as CEO in 2010. During his tenure, the hospital has added numerous service lines, including sleep lab and alcohol and drug medical stabilization, as well as three new primary care physicians to the community – Theresa Woodward, M.D., Sonya Shipley, M.D., and Garrick Clouden, M.D.

“Haywood Park has a firm foundation for providing excellent patient care that will continue,” said Alan Callery, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Haywood Park Community Hospital. “We wish Jeremy much success in his new position and thank him for his many contributions to our community.”

The search for a new CEO is underway, and the hospital’s leadership team will ensure a smooth transition. Members of the Board of Trustees, medical staff and administration will be involved in the process to select a new chief executive.

Haywood Park wins Excellence Award

Haywood Park Community Hospital earns an 
EXCELLENCE THROUGH INSIGHT Award for Overall Physician Satisfaction 

Haywood Park Community Hospital, Brownsville, Tenn.,  was recently recognized with an Excellence through Insight award for “Overall Physician Satisfaction” by HealthStream, Inc. (NASDAQ: HSTM).  A formal presentation of the award was made during HealthStream’s customer Summit 2012, March 8, 2012, in Nashville, Tennessee.

Haywood Park Community Hospital was awarded this honor for its commitment to excellence in medical staff satisfaction.  To qualify for an award, a hospital must have been a medical staff satisfaction client of HealthStream in 2011, and scored at least in the 75^thpercentile or higher.  Haywood Park Community Hospital was chosen for receiving the highest ratings in the medical staff satisfaction from among HealthStream’s clients, as well as exceeding industry standards.

HealthStream CEO Robert A. Frist, Jr., said “We applaud Haywood Park Community Hospital’s high-level commitment to excellence in healthcare – and we are pleased to recognize their achievement through our presentation of an Excellence through Insight award.” 

Seminar discusses disease and diet

Haywood Park Community Hospital will be hosting a seminar on gall bladder disease and how it is affected by diet, Thursday, February 24 from 6 – 7 p.m.

The gall bladder can be affected by several diseases or infections such as gallstones, inflammation and tumors. These and other issues will be discussed by Dr. Michael Saridakis, a board certified general surgeon. Saridakis is the founder of the Jackson Regional Surgery Center and a member of the medical staff at Haywood Park Community Hospital and Regional Hospital of Jackson.

The seminar will be held at the Delta Room behind Backyard Barbecue at 703 E. Main in Brownsville, Tenn. Reservations can be made by calling the hospital administration at 731-772-8432. Light refreshments will be served.