(Sulphur Springs – July 8, 2016) – Today, we announced Michael McAndrew’s departure from CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs, CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic – Sulphur Springs and CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic – Emory.
Health care is changing, which is why Memorial Hospital and Clinic began searching for potential partners. The leaders here chose CHRISTUS Health because both systems are committed to providing high quality, patient-centered, affordable health care locally.
When we announced the finalization of our joint venture, we said that we would look for ways to work together more effectively to strengthen our service to the community of Sulphur Springs as part of CHRISTUS’ commitment to the Northeast Texas market. A key part of our plan is to look to the future and determine the needs of the hospital and the community not just for now, but as we move forward and reposition the hospital for growth. After careful discernment and discussion together, we agreed that a leadership change was in the best interest of the hospital’s future.
“This change does not affect Michael’s tenure here, nor diminish his many accomplishments in Sulphur Springs,” said Jeff Puckett, CHRISTUS Health COO. “I want to extend to Michael my deepest thanks, as his14-year tenure saw the creation of a three-story office building and the growth of Memorial Clinic from one provider to 30. During this time, the hospital became a residency training site for Family Medicine and partnered to provide state-of-the-art cardiac services. It was this great work—carried out and supported by the district board, physicians and employees here—that convinced CHRISTUS Health we wanted to partner with MH&C.”
In a conversation initiated by KSST News, McAndrew said he does not intend to retire and that he will take some time to weigh other options. He stated he feels he is leaving on a positive note and told employees in an email today that he has no animosity regarding the change. “I do no regret for one minute having brought CHRISTUS here,” he told KSST News.
McAndrew said he will not rush into a decision regarding his future. He plans to take his time and discuss and plan his future with his wife. “Today has been a very emotional day but I’m happy with the decisions that have been made and look forward to new directions that my wife and I will plan together.”
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Effective July 12, Paul Harvey will become CEO of CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs.
Paul has over 30 years of experience in health care leadership. Prior to joining CHRISTUS, he was a leader within VHA, helping community hospitals make sustainable clinical and operational improvements. In addition, as much of Paul’s career as a leader has been spent in customer service and support, the hospital is confident that he will bring a sharp focus and experience to ensuring high levels of employee and physician engagement centered on patient care and quality. Paul and his family look forward to becoming fully engaged with the Sulphur Springs community.
The hospital and clinics are looking forward to hosting Paul and key members of the CHRISTUS Health leadership team next week, as we talk about how we might work together to grow and enhance the service and support we provide to the Sulphur Springs community and beyond.
