Palmetto Health and Greenville Hospital System agreement to own and operate Palmetto Health Baptist Easley moves forward
June 9, 2009
First Board of Directors Named
COLUMBIA, SC – June 9, 2009 – Plans to create a joint venture between Palmetto Health and Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center (GHS) to own and operate Palmetto Health Baptist Easley are moving forward and the venture should be finalized in the next several weeks. While the transaction will be complete this summer, operations of the hospital under the new joint venture structure are not expected to begin until October 2009 to coincide with the beginning of a new fiscal year for all parties.
Eight individuals have been appointed, four each by Palmetto Health and GHS, to constitute Baptist Easley’s first Board of Directors. These members will serve as an Advisory Board until the formal formation of the entity in the fall. Roddey Gettys, chief operating officer of Palmetto Health Baptist Easley, will remain in charge of operations until he becomes Baptist Easley’s first CEO at the same time.
Gettys said, “I am excited about this partnership because patients will get better care due to a more seamless transfer when necessary. Working in partnership with GHS will be good for patients and “doing what is right for the patient” is what Baptist Easley is all about. I’m also very pleased with our board appointments because they represent community members who have a long history with our health care system and are committed to our health care vision.”
Board members appointed by Palmetto Health include:
Paul K. Duane, chief financial officer at Palmetto Health, has more than 21 years of experience working with health care entities in a management capacity.
Robert E. Dye, Jr., senior vice president and chief financial officer of Peoples Bancorporation, has served on the Baptist Healthcare System of South Carolina board for approximately 10 years and the Palmetto Health board for three years. He also was the President of the Easley Rotary Club from 2006-2007 and has been on the Peoples Bancorporation board for 11 years.
Marcia P. Ragsdale, community volunteer, has more 37 years of experience in various administrative and executive roles. She has served on the Palmetto Health Baptist Easley Foundation board for eight years including being a past chair, and the Pickens County Heart Association board for 10 years.
Dr. Boyce G. Tollison, retired physician who has been associated with the hospital since 1970 including being a member of Baptist Healthcare System of South Carolina board, has been working in the health care field for 43 years.
Board members appointed by GHS include:
Gregory J. Rusnak, executive vice president and Chief Operating Officer of GHS, has more than 24 years of experience working with health care entities in a management capacity.
Dr. John A. Cooper, practicing radiologist, in the Easley and Greenville communities.
Dr. J. Ernest Lathem, retired urologist, who served as the former Chairman of the GHS Board of Trustees, Board of Directors of BB&T and former chair of the Greenville Community Foundation.
Dr. Angelo Sinopoli, a practicing pulmonologist for approximately 25 years, serves as the Academic Chairman of Greenville Hospital System, and is an associate professor of medicine at the University of South Carolina and the Medical University of South Carolina.
