NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--HCA (NYSE: HCA) today announced the retirement of two of its senior executives. W. Paul Rutledge, President of the company’s Central Group, and Russell K. Harms, Chief Financial Officer of the Central Group, will retire March 31, 2013. The Central Group is comprised of over 50 hospitals in the U.S. and U.K.
Rutledge, who has been with HCA for over 30 years, joined the company in 1982 as Chief Operating Officer in the New Orleans market. His career with the company has included a number of corporate and market positions, including service as CEO of Centennial Medical Center, the flagship hospital of HCA’s Nashville market, and Division President of TriStar, before assuming his present position as Group President in 2005.
“After spending more than half my life with HCA, I look forward to the opportunity for my wife and me to spend more time with our family, to do all those things we think about doing if we just had the time,” Rutledge said. “My experiences with HCA also will allow me to have a greater involvement in areas of interest in the Nashville community, as well as medical missions with our church.”
Harms began his 28-year career with the company as Controller at Spring Branch Hospital in Houston. He subsequently served as facility CFO for three HCA hospitals, Division CFO in three HCA divisions, and has been in his current position since 2005.
Reflecting upon his career, Harms commented, “I have been extremely fortunate to have worked with and for many outstanding leaders, and I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to have been a part of the greatest healthcare company in the world. I always have worked to ensure my leadership reflected the company’s mission that above all else, we are committed to the care and improvement of human life.”
Due to the two retirements, the company will streamline its operations structure. The domestic divisions of the Central Group will be realigned into the company’s existing National and Southwest operating groups. The Capital Division will be assigned to the National Group, and both the TriStar and MidAmerica Divisions will become part of the Southwest Group, to be renamed the American Group. HCA International, which consists of the company’s London hospitals and has been part of the Central Group, will report directly to Sam Hazen, President of Operations for the company. This transition will take place on January 1, 2013.
Commenting on the retirements, Hazen said, “Paul and Russ have been an integral part of the HCA operations team for many years, and I am sad to see them go. Their efforts have driven operations improvements and supported strategic growth in all four divisions. They are exemplary individuals who personify HCA’s values and culture of caring. On a personal note, I have enjoyed working with them, I value their friendship and wish them the best as they embark on this new exciting phase in their lives.”
All references to “Company” and “HCA” as used through this release refer to HCA Holdings, Inc. and its affiliates.
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