Commonwealth Health in Pennsylvania has announced a leadership change that will have one CEO overseeing two hospitals and their Emergency Medical Services, the system has announced.
Justin Davis, who currently serves as CEO of Moses Taylor Hospital and Commonwealth Health Emergency Medical Services, will also lead Regional Hospital of Scranton as of September 19.
Current CEO Brooks Turkel will be moving on to a new position within Community Health Systems, Commonwealth's parent company.
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"As we look to the future and continue our efforts to provide the Scranton community with the best quality clinical care, we believe that having one individual oversee both hospitals will allow the facilities, their physicians and staffs to work more closely together as we look to the future," Catena said in a statement. "I extend my gratitude to Brooks for his dedicated service to Regional Hospital and wish him well in his new venture. Under his leadership, Regional Hospital became a leader in orthopedic care while continuing to expand the facility's cardiology program."
Davis will lead a combined staff of about 2,500 between the two facilities, and will also oversee Commonwealth's expansion project, located on the two blocks between the hospitals, the plans for which have yet to be finalized.
Additionally, Davis will oversee both hospitals as they move forward with the new initiative to develop an integrated cancer network, improving cancer care for the community. Emergency services, orthopedic services, and other services will continue at each hospital.
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He also takes the helm amidst a $15 million project to establish a Heart and Vascular Institute in Regional Hospital, and expand its intensive care unit.
The 12,000-square foot vascular institute will be located on the second floor of the hospital, and will include the recently completed endovascular laboratory, allowing for all cardiac-related procedures to be performed in the same general area.
Construction will begin "as soon as permits are in place". The Heart Institute is expected to be completed in early 2017 and the ICU later next year.
Twitter: @BethJSanborn