A Washington Regional Medical Center vice president will become CEO this fall following executive Bill Bradley's retirement, the center announced Friday.
Bradley announced late last year he intended to retire this fall after 13 years in the position. J. Larry Shackelford, senior vice president for strategy and outreach, will step in Sept. 1, with Bradley serving in an advisory role until November, the hospital system said in a news release.
"Thanks to Bill Bradley's leadership, the vision of our board of directors, and the dedication of so many of my talented colleagues, Washington Regional has remained focused on serving the community with excellent patient care and compassionate outreach services," Shackelford said in a statement Monday. He wasn't available for an interview. "It will be a privilege to build upon this legacy."
The transition comes as the area continues to grow at one of the nation's fastest rates and elected officials battle over changes in federal health care policy.
Fayetteville is home to Washington Regional's chief medical center, but the not-for-profit health system includes locations throughout Northwest Arkansas. The system has expanded or opened clinics for neurosurgery, family medicine and other services in recent years, including a five-story women, infants and children tower that opened last year.
Shackelford has been a senior vice president at the center since 2010 and was CEO of Medical Associates of Northwest Arkansas before that, according to the release.
"Larry was a chief executive who had a philosophy of hiring good staff and giving them the authority to do their jobs," current Medical Associates CEO Jason Wilson wrote in an email, calling Shackelford "instrumental" to the formation of the regional network of physicians in the late 1990s. "Larry was a visionary leader with a good grasp of the healthcare market and the changes that constantly occur."
Board chairman Greg Lee said the board was looking for someone who could keep the system growing and providing quality care.
"Our board is confident Larry Shackelford is the CEO to guide Washington Regional to successfully adapt in an ever-changing healthcare environment while remaining faithful to our goals and mission," Lee said in the release. "We look forward in the coming months to celebrating Washington Regional's many accomplishments under Bill's leadership and welcoming Larry in his new role."
NW News on 04/25/2017