News Release
Contact: Gene Kimble
Director of Marketing
(316) 322-4543
e-mail: gkimble@sbamh.org
SUSAN B. ALLEN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL NAMES JAMES (JIM) KIRKBRIDE PRESIDENT AND CEO
For Immediate Release
January 27, 2016
The Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees has announced the hiring of James “Jim” Kirkbride, MBA, RT (R) as the new President and CEO of Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital. Mr. Kirkbride will assume the role on March 14, 2016.
Kirkbride has served as the Assistant Vice-President of Ancillary and Support Services at St. Charles Health System in Bend, Oregon, since December, 2013 where he has had direct oversight of their Bend and Redmond, Oregon facilities. He was instrumental in bringing about a significant financial turnaround of that system through thoughtful implementation of improved operational planning and standardization. He was also key in implementing new service lines and working closely with physician members of multiple medical staffs to improve utilization of existing services.
“This is an amazing opportunity and honor to become the leader of this outstanding healthcare organization,” Kirkbride said. “Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital is a progressive, well-respected organization with a long history of providing quality care to members of the community. The facilities and medical equipment at this hospital are exceptional for an organization of this size, and the team of care providers I came in contact with were progressive and innovative thinkers, and very tenured. I am very excited to become part of an organization with staff members who have dedicated themselves to this organization and its patients for so long, it assures me that it’s a great place to work, and a great place to receive care. This is the type of organization I want to be a part of.”
Prior to his time with St. Charles Health System, he served as the Director of Diagnostic Imaging, Cath Lab and Cardiology Services at St. Peter’s Hospital in Helena, Montana, and as Administrative Director of Imaging Services for Covenant Health System, Waterloo, Iowa.
“The Hospital’s Board feels very confident that Jim has the experience and ability to strategically lead our organization into the future,” said Ed Gard, Chairman of the Susan B. Allen Board of Trustees. “He possesses a great deal of knowledge about the challenges and opportunities taking place in the healthcare industry, and in his current position, has been instrumental in initiating and implementing innovative ideas and solutions to successfully move his current organization forward. We believe his experiences and expertise will allow him to work well with our Board, the Hospital’s medical staff, the Hospital Foundation Board, the leadership and employees at the Hospital, and with our community.”
Kirkbride holds his MBA from Eastern Oregon University, LaGrande, OR, and his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Quality Management from Southwestern College, Winfield, KS. He received his Associates of Applied Science Degree from Cowley County Community College and completed the Wesley Medical Center School of Radiological Technologies program in Wichita and is a Registered Radiology Technologist. He grew up in Chapman, KS where both his parents and many other family members continue to reside.
He holds memberships in the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), American Society of Healthcare Engineers (ASHE), the National Rural Health Association, the American Society of Radiology Technologists, and the American Registry of Radiology Technology. He has served as the Board Chair for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Redmond/Terrebonne, Board Chair for Cascades East Area Health Education Council, and was an Appointed Board Member of the Tri-county Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council in Redmond, OR.
Kirkbride and his wife Shannon, have three grown children of which the youngest plans to transfer to Butler Community College to continue his education. Jim, Shannon and Adam look forward to moving to and becoming active members of the community.
The Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees began a national search for a permanent President and CEO upon the retirement of Gayle Arnett in May, 2015, who had served as President and CEO for over six years, and with the organization for over 33 years. Patrick A. Auman, Ph.D., has served as the Interim President and CEO since May 1, 2015.
Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital is a not-for-profit, general acute care hospital that includes a 24-hour physician staffed emergency department, a family birth center, a home health agency, a dialysis center, a cancer center, and an immediate care facility in Augusta. The Hospital is governed by a local board of citizens, and is accredited by the Joint Commission.
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