UAMS picks one of its own for hospital CEO

Dr. Richard Turnage
Dr. Richard Turnage

After a national search, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences looked inward to select Dr. Richard Turnage as the next chief executive of its academic hospital, the state's medical school announced Friday.

Turnage, 59, will begin overseeing the 450-bed academic medical center and a network of clinics on Dec. 1. Taken together, the properties are responsible for nearly three-quarters of UAMS' $1.5 billion in annual revenue and counted 1 million patient visits in the past fiscal year.

He arrived at the state's medical school in 2008 after seven years at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport. He currently serves as UAMS' chief service line officer, executive associate dean for clinical affairs in the College of Medicine and a professor in the department of surgery.

Turnage, who in an interview called the promotion a "tremendous honor," said partnerships with health care workers and pharmacists throughout the community would be important to improving the day-to-day health of Arkansans.

"That's more than just taking care of folks when they're sick," said Turnage, whose new position is officially the vice chancellor for clinical programs. "It's also about improving the lives of people across our state."

Turnage will be paid $675,000 per year, plus an additional $67,500 per year in deferred compensation, money set aside for retirement. That salary package is guaranteed for three years, according to an offer letter Turnage signed Thursday.

Turnage was one of two finalists who interviewed the week of Sept. 26, along with Dr. Michael Richards, the chief of doctors in the University of New Mexico Health System. Both were medical doctors, administrators and professors.

The national firm that conducted the search, Witt/Kieffer, considered a third finalist, but that person withdrew prior to the interviews for "personal reasons," said Leslie Taylor, UAMS vice chancellor for communications and marketing. The firm started with a list of about 12 potential candidates, Taylor said.

Witt/Kieffer's contract to conduct the search was worth $195,000, Taylor said.

"After conducting a national search, it was clear to me and those on the search committee that Richard's clinical and academic background makes him the ideal candidate ... ," Chancellor Dan Rahn said in a printed statement.

Turnage succeeds Dr. Roxane Townsend, who announced in April that she was leaving to be closer to family in North Carolina. Dr. Stephen Mette, the medical school's chief clinical officer who has served as the interim CEO since the end of September, will continue in the position until Dec. 1, Rahn said.

The transition comes amid a wider leadership shift at the medical school. Rahn announced last month that he would retire from the medical school's top post, effective July 31, 2017. Rahn's salary is $630,000, plus $270,000 in deferred compensation.

Turnage will have the opportunity to interview candidates to replace Rahn, to whom he directly reports, and provide input into the search process, according to the offer letter.

University of Arkansas System President Donald Bobbitt will select Rahn's replacement, subject to the board of trustees' approval. Bobbitt "fully supports" Turnage's promotion as the hospital CEO, Rahn said in the offer letter.

Rahn also praised Turnage's role in creating and rolling out UAMS' new service line model. Effective since July 2015, the model has created patient-focused service lines led by doctor executives with the goal of making better clinical decisions and aligning patient care with academic and research goals.

Turnage is "well positioned to lead as we fully capitalize on this forward looking financial and management structure," Rahn said in the offer letter.

Turnage said the health care industry is at a point of "tremendous change," both in how care is financed and culturally for physicians, nurses and other care providers.

"Any time of change, it can be uncomfortable," Turnage said. "This is a journey that we've been on. It's a matter of continuing down this path."

A Section on 10/15/2016

Upcoming Events