Hospital Authority of Houston County Names CEO
The Hospital Authority of Houston County has named Grady W. (Skip) Philips, III, as Chief Executive Officer for Houston Healthcare and its facilities including Houston Medical Center, Perry Hospital, Houston Heart Institute and the Houston Health Pavilion effective immediately.
"During his nearly two years with Houston Healthcare, Mr. Philips has a demonstrated track record that has focused on growth of health care services, cultivation of physician-hospital relationships and strong Board relationships," stated Sonny Watson, Chairman of the Hospital Authority, in making the announcement. "As we move forward in expanding our hospital system and capabilities and enhancing coordination between both hospitals and our outpatient facilities, the Authority believes that his leadership and experience in healthcare and with systems will maximize our efforts to take this organization to the next level."
Philips joined Houston Healthcare in August 2006 as Administrator of Houston Medical Center, and was named Chief Operations Officer in July 2007 and Interim Chief Executive Officer in March 2008. Prior to joining Houston Healthcare, he served as Senior Vice President of Operations for Riverside Regional Medical Center/Riverside Health System in Newport News, Virginia. Additionally, Mr. Philips has more than 20 years experience as a corporate officer and administrator of healthcare facilities providing a continuum of services including acute care, rehabilitation and retirement communities. Mr. Philips, a native Georgian, earned bachelors degrees in Chemistry and History from Emory University in Atlanta and received Masters degrees in Business Administration and Healthcare Administration from Georgia State University. Philips is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives. Philips is a member of the Warner Robins Rotary Club and serves on the Board of Directors for the Salvation Army, Healthcare Service Center and Community Healthworks. He and his wife, Cathy, and their three children, Stephen, Christopher and Erin, reside in Houston County and are members of Central Baptist Church.
"With the growth in population we are experiencing and continue to anticipate, we must be able to meet the needs of our community in the most effective manner," Philips added. "By focusing on providing quality care for our community and supporting the people who provide the services to our community each day, I believe that we will continue to succeed in our mission of providing quality medical services. Houston Healthcare has some great people who are compassionate about providing the best care for the citizens we serve. I feel privileged to be a member of the Houston Healthcare team and look forward to our continued growth as we meet the needs of our community."
Houston Healthcare encompasses nearly 1,900 employees who work daily around the clock to provide care, concern and support for the patients we serve and their families. They work along with more than 150 physicians and our Volunteer Auxiliaries to carry out our mission of providing patient-focused, high quality and cost-effective services while promoting health and wellness to improve the healthcare of our community.
Houston Medical Center will complete construction in Spring 2009 of a nearly $80 million campus expansion including a five-story Northwest Patient Tower, Houston Heart Institute addition, new Central Energy Plant and new parking areas, along with the addition of an Intermediate Care Area and Patient Care Evaluation Unit. The Hospital Authority of Houston County is in the process of developing a master facilities plan for services on highway 96 and the Perry Hospital campus, based upon the anticipated impact of future growth in the southern part of Houston County.