Michael D. Williams, president and the founding CEO of Community Hospital Corp., has announced his retirement from the organization after a 20-year stint. He'll continue to serve in that capacity until a new CEO is in place, which is expected to be around the end of June 2017.
The CHC Board of Directors' search subcommittee has hired executive search firm Witt/Kieffer to assist with the national search process.
In Dallas, Williams serves as a member and current vice chair of the Parkland Health and Hospital System's board of managers. Parkland is one of the largest hospitals in the nation, with more than 1 million patient visits each year.
William's nearly 40-year career includes executive leadership positions as president of Baptist Hospital in Knoxville, Tennessee; executive vice president and chief operating officer of Children's Medical Center in Dallas; and vice president for Baylor University Medical Center-Dallas.
Williams became CHC's founding CEO soon after the organization was formed in 1996, through an aligned vision of 13 Texas nonprofit and community-owned healthcare systems. CHC has grown into an organization that owns, manages or consults with nearly 30 hospitals nationwide, most serving smaller and rural communities.
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CHC, in a statement, credited Williams with a number of the system's achievements over the years. During his tenure, CHC has helped nearly 100 hospitals become more successful, whether independently or through affiliations, the group said; it has improved the financial position, operations and clinical quality of its hospitals; and developed CHC Consulting and CHC ContinueCARE. CHC Consulting helps hospitals with an array of consulting and management services, while CHC ContinueCARE develops long-term acute care hospitals in collaboration with host hospitals. CHC ContinueCARE currently serves acute care hospitals.
In 2014, Williams received the Earl M. Collier Award for Distinguished Health Care Administration from the Texas Hospital Association. He's also served as a member of the American Hospital Association's Regional Policy Board, and is a fellow and past regent with the American College of Healthcare Executives.
In 2014, Williams' alma mater, the University of Alabama's School of Health Professions, named him one of five Distinguished Alumni. He is a member of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Dean's Advisory Board, School of Health Professions, and he co-chaired their 2013 building campaign, during which time he and his wife endowed the Williams Family Scholarship to benefit students in health administration.
Williams holds a Master's degree in health administration from the Medical Center in Birmingham, where he was named outstanding alumnus in 2003.
"Mike created a solid foundation for CHC and we will continue along the path he has set forth in growing the organization and fulfilling its mission to 'guide, support and enhance the mission of community hospitals and healthcare providers' across the country," said Ken Gordon, CHC board chair, in a statement. "Mike is passionate about everything he does. Along with the entire Board of Directors, it has been a pleasure to work with him. Through his collegial nature, he is an inspiration, mentor and friend to many."