 BCHS CEO tapped for Trinity position
Following a decade of visionary leadership, Battle Creek Health System President and CEO Pat Garrett will transition into a new executive role with one of BCHS's 'parent' organizations, Trinity Health.
Garrett, whose new position will be vice president of Trinity Health's operations performance leadership department, will continue to serve as president and CEO during the national search for his successor. An inclusive search process is expected to include broad community and physician input. Trustees expect the search process will require approximately six months.
Battle Creek Health System is a unique 50-50 partnership between Trinity Health, the nation's 4th largest Catholic health care system, and BCHS Community Partners, representing the community ownership of the hospital. Trinity and BCHS Community Partners are aligned around a steadfast mission to provide excellence in health care to all in the community.
"While we will certainly miss Pat's leadership and genuine commitment to our community, this transition is one of the most ideal 'win-win' situations an organization could possibly face," says LaJune Montgomery-Talley, president of the BCHS board of directors. "As a well-respected and unselfish leader, he will continue to guide our hospital until we are able to find a new CEO, and for Pat personally, this offers a unique and important career step. We certainly wish he and his family the very best as he takes this new and exciting role for Trinity."
"Pat has been a highly effective leader at Battle Creek Health System over the past nine years and he has helped strengthen the important role BCHS plays in our community," says Neil Nyberg, chair of the BCHS Community Partners board. "We're thankful that he will be able to provide valuable input as we search for his successor and helpful assistance in the transition process. His legacy of quality, service, and integrity has certainly 'raised the bar' for those who follow his lead. We appreciate all he has done for this organization and for our community at-large."
Garrett was selected as the second CEO at Battle Creek Health System, succeeding Stephen Abbott in 1999. His legacy includes strong community involvement; growing partnership with medical staff; and marked improvements in finances, quality, and service. During Garrett's tenure, BCHS was honored for outstanding clinical outcomes by HealthGrades, the nation's leading independent health care ratings company and the American College of Surgeons' Commission on Cancer; named one of the nation's leaders in development of an electronic medical record by Hospitals & Health Networks magazine; and has been recognized for five consecutive years as one of West Michigan's 'Best and Brightest Places to Work' by Michigan Business & Professional Association.
"For the past nine years, Patrick Garrett has earned both the respect and admiration of medical staff, associates, and community members for his skillful and honest leadership," says Chris Christ, past chair of both the BCHS Board of Trustees and BCHS Community Partners, and an active participant in the formation of BCHS in the 1980s. "His winning and collaborative style and ability to forge effective partnerships will certainly serve him well in his new position as it has us over the past decade."
"Pat has done a great deal to align the medical staff," says Dr. Jeffrey Jones, BCHS chief of staff. "His honest and transparent leadership style and accessibility to medical staff will certainly be missed."
"It is with mixed emotions that I conclude this important chapter in my life and transition into a new role with Trinity Health," says Garrett. "I have to say that it has been a privilege and joy to serve at BCHS, but the opportunity to use my skills nationally is a unique challenge and comes at the right time in my career."
Several months ago, Trinity Health approached Garrett about an opportunity to do performance improvement and executive consulting for the corporate office. It offered a unique role as a system vice president that would allow him to make an even more significant contribution to Trinity Ministry Organizations across the U.S.
"At the same time, I had been considering my future plans," says Garrett. "After many years in health care, it has been my intention to retire in the coming three years. Weighing the Trinity offer and my career horizon, I decided that stepping aside now would assure a thoughtful and orderly CEO search process. It allows me to do the right thing for BCHS and to enjoy a new challenge over the coming few years."
Garrett continued, "While change is difficult, and even a bit frightening from time to time, I consider this a 'win-win' situation. It assures BCHS of a planned transition process with ample time to identify an exceptional new CEO. And it provides me with another unique and motivating challenge. I'm proud of all we have accomplished at BCHS and hope this community recognizes what a fine health system they have here."
Garrett received his Bachelors Degree in business administration from Ferris State University and his M.S. in health service management from the University of Missouri.
Before coming to Battle Creek, he was the administrative executive officer at Deaconess Billings Clinic Health System in Montana; president of The Garrett Group; president and CEO of St. Francis Hospital in Florida; and president and CEO of Trinity Lutheran Hospital in Missouri.
Garrett is a Diplomate in the American College of Healthcare Executives, a member of the American Medical Group Association and Medical Group Management Association, and served as an officer of the Hospital Purchasing Service and Preferred Health Professionals.
Community involvement in greater Battle Creek has included board and leadership positions with the Albion Health Care Alliance, Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce, Battle Creek Unlimited, 2004 community campaign co-chair of the local United Way annual fund drive, Family Health Center, Minority Health Partnership, and PACE. He has also been a member of the Battle Creek Rotary Club.
Battle Creek Health System, sponsored by two parent organizations--Trinity Health (the fourth largest Catholic health system in the U.S. with 12 hospitals, 9 nursing homes, 19 senior house facilities, 8 home health care agencies, and 4 hospices in Michigan alone) and BCHS Community Partners, is accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Battle Creek Health System as a recipient of the 2008 HealthGrades Orthopaedic Surgery Excellence Award(tm). HealthGrades is a leading health care information company that provides objective 'report card' ratings nationwide. BCHS provides excellent health care for the community and promotes wellness for the whole person with access and compassion for all. For the latest medical information, visit the BCHS web site at www.bchealth.com or call the BCHS Marketing Department at (269) 966-8132.
Awards, Recognitions, and Upgrades
During Pat Garrett's tenure over the past nine years, Battle Creek Health System has seen dramatic changes in not only the programs it offers, but also in its physical plant.
Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
Michigan Health & Hospital Association's (MHA) Keystone Center for
Patient Safety & Quality
Grew the wound healing center with hyperbaric oxygen therapies 2000
Added two linear accelerators to The Cancer Care Center 2002, 2007
Expanded sleep center, largest in Southwest Michigan 2003
First hospital in Southwest Michigan to offer positron emission tomography (PET) 2003
101 Best & Brightest Places to Work five years in a row (Michigan Business &
Professional Association) 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Governor's Award of Excellence for Improving Care in the Hospital, Emergency
Department and/or Critical Access Setting 2005, 2006, 2007
HealthGrades Orthopaedic Surgery Excellence Award(tm) 2005, 2008
HealthGrades Vascular Services Award(tm) 2005, 2006
HealthGrades Distinguished Hospital Award for Patient Safety(tm) 2005, 2006
Commission on Cancer 2005-2008 Outstanding Achievement Award for clinical cancer
services, the only hospital in Michigan to receive that recognition
Two Certificates of Achievement from the State of Michigan for excellence in its cancer
care programs in 2005
Created Rapid Response Team--initiative that stresses even earlier intervention 2005
Ongoing national leadership in development of an electronic medical record project
dubbed 'Genesis' 2005-ongoing
Introduced first 'open' MRI to the region 2006
Build new surgery center 2006
Introduced digital mammography to the region 2006
Most 'Wired' and Wireless Hospital Awards (Hospitals & Health Networks magazine)
2006, 2007, 2008
Introduced Orthopaedic Renewal Center 2007
Expanded nationally ranked cancer care center 2007
Opened Beckley Road Urgent Care 2007
Hospital moved to 100% private rooms 2008
Introduced daVinci robotic surgery platform 2008
Stroke robot added 2008
Genetic counseling offered 2008
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