The Tarpon Springs hospital has selected a Miami-area administrator. He will start in August.
By CANDACE RONDEAUX
Published July 16, 2003
TARPON SPRINGS - Helen Ellis Memorial Hospital has ended a monthslong nationwide search for a new chief executive.
Hospital administrators selected Miami-area hospital executive Steven MacLauchlan to lead the 168-bed Tarpon Springs hospital starting in August.
"Steve comes from a good background," said Norm Stein, president of University Community Health, the hospital's parent organization.
"He's had good experience in health care administration and has a background in expanding services," Stein said Tuesday. "We are very interested in developing more of a service culture for Helen Ellis. I think Steve will really be able to jump-start that."
The decision to hire MacLauchlan, 48, as Helen Ellis' chief executive officer comes seven months after former CEO Joseph Kiefer announced his retirement.
Hospital administrators considered several candidates from around the country before settling on his replacement earlier this month, Stein said.
MacLauchlan's 13 years of hospital management experience include three years as CEO of the Hollywood Medical Center in Hollywood.
Before that, he headed Palmetto General Hospital and North Shore Medical Center.
He was also vice president of operations at Cedars Medical Center.
MacLauchlan earned a masters degree in health service administration from Florida International University and received his bachelor's degree from Florida State University.
Stein hopes MacLauchlan will be able to use his skills and experience to expand services offered at Helen Ellis and increase the hospital's range of specialty treatments.
"I think Steve will spend a lot of time with physician recruitment," Stein said. "It's important because its an area we could improve on."
Kiefer, who served as Helen Ellis' CEO for 23 years, agreed to stay on while officials conducted their search. He will also assist with the transition and has agreed to continue in an emeritus position at the hospital, working with Stein on community outreach.
"Joe (Kiefer) did an excellent job during his 20-some years at Helen Ellis," Stein said. "But the health care industry is changing so rapidly that now we have look for ways to keep up with all those changes."
- Times researcher Caryn Baird contributed to this report. Candace Rondeaux can be reached at 727 445-4182 or rondeaux@sptimes.com
