Temporary CEO begins at PVHC, replaces Patten

Posted 4/14/15

Patten said Wednesday he was comfortable leaving the organization in the hands of Terry Odom, the interim leader who will direct the organization until a permanent chief executive officer is hired.

“I’m actually very impressed with Terry. I …

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Temporary CEO begins at PVHC, replaces Patten

Posted

Process to hire permanent CEO expected to take about six months

An interim chief executive officer has taken the helm at Powell Valley Healthcare. Thursday was former CEO Bill Patten’s last day.

Patten said Wednesday he was comfortable leaving the organization in the hands of Terry Odom, the interim leader who will direct the organization until a permanent chief executive officer is hired.

“I’m actually very impressed with Terry. I feel very comfortable leaving the organization in her capable hands. Not only is she capable, but she also has the caring spirit that the organization needs now,” Patten said.

Odom said she will remain with Powell Valley Healthcare until a new CEO is hired. That process is expected to take about six months.

“It takes a while to find a CEO,” she said. “You want the right fit, so I will be here for a while.”

“It really is nice to have one person who is committed to serve as interim the entire time,” Patten said.

Patten, who began his new position as chief executive officer for Holy Cross Hospital in Taos, N.M., said that hospital has had four interim leaders while searching for a new CEO.

“One of the things I have heard over the last couple of days, when I’ve said goodbye, are concerns about stability and leadership,” Patten said. “I have assured them that Terry is the right person to lead the organization through this time of change, and that it’s my sense that the board, the medical staff and the leadership team, they’re all ready to move the organization to the next level.”

Patten was a bit tearful, dabbing at his eyes with a tissue as he contemplated leaving the organization he has led since February 2012. 

“Today has been a very tough day for Bill,” Odom said. “Bill has certainly left his footprint here, and his staff has a very high regard for Bill.”

“I’d like to think (Powell Valley Healthcare) is in a better place than it was three years ago,” Patten said. “Some issues have been resolved; some continue. We continue to have challenges financially,” he said, “and we still ‘love’ our computer system,” he added facetiously.

He spoke in the present tense about his desires for Powell Valley Healthcare to move forward from here.

“We need to organize around the patient-resident first, then the organization and community, second. If we can all agree to those priorities, then there’s no reason we can’t be successful,” he said. “I hope the organization can come together, let go of some of the issues that have kept us apart and put us at odds.”

Odom is from Santa Fe, N.M., and is employed by HealthTech Management Services, which Powell Valley Healthcare has contracted to provide management services, and which employed Patten here.

“We’re sort of switching places,” she said, referring to Patten’s move to New Mexico.

Odom said she has 30-plus years in health care management, including 20 years as a chief nursing officer or chief executive officer.

“I’ve been here since Tuesday (April 7),” she said. “This is a very welcoming health-care environment with caring people who want to continue to take it to the next level.”

Odom said she will keep her goals shorter, since her time here is limited, but her primary aim is to provide a stable environment. She plans to accomplish that by building relationships with the physicians and other PVHC employees, by continuing the organization’s Journey 2 Excellence and by working closely with the board.

Patten said Odom’s challenges will be a little different.

“You have to be able to say, ‘This is something that I can do in the next (six months), but this is something that I will just key up for the next CEO,’” he said.

Odom agreed.

“I have to keep in mind for them (PVHC employees); they will remain here,” she said.

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