Clark Regional Medical Center announced in a news release Tuesday morning that Joe Koch, a veteran health care executive and current CEO at Bourbon County Hospital, will be taking over as chief executive officer of the hospital, replacing former CEO Kathy Love.
Koch will assume the role on an interim basis while a national search for a permanent CEO is under way, according to the statement.
No reason for the change was given in the release. LifePoint representative Diane Huggins said in a phone call Tuesday afternoon, that "company policy holds that all personnel matters are confidential," and that she could not answer any specific questions pertaining to the change.
In the statement, Tom Weiss, president of LifePoint Hospitals’ Continental Division, thanked Love for her service to the hospital.
“I want to thank former CEO Kathy Love for her leadership in getting the new hospital open and wish her well as she pursues other opportunities,” Weis stated in the release. “We are fortunate to have Joe Koch serve as our interim CEO as we launch an aggressive national search to fill the top leadership role on a permanent basis,” continued Weiss. “Joe is a strong leader with extensive experience as a healthcare executive and a very successful track record.”
Huggins said Tuesday afternoon that Koch's experience allows LifePoint to take its time and find the right fit for the Winchester position.
"While we have launched a national search to fill the position and they will move as quickly as they can, we have the luxury of having a very seasoned veteran there as an interim," Huggins said. "The highest priority is to find the right person for Clark Regional Hospital."
Koch has more than 20 years of experience in hospital management. He previously served as chief operating officer of Raleigh General Hospital in Beckley, W.Va. for six years as well as the past four years in Bourbon County. Both hospitals are part of the LifePoint system.
Koch will serve in the top leadership roles at both CRMC and BCH until a permanent CEO for CRMC is hired, according to the release.
“We are taking the necessary steps to ensure strong leadership as we search for a permanent CEO,” Allen Cawley, chair of CRMC Board of Trustees, said in the statement. “We appreciate Kathy’s service to our hospital and community, and wish her the best moving forward.”
Contact Bob Flynn at bflynn@winchestersun.com.
