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Board Names Lopez
Permanent CEO
David S. Lopez was today named permanent President and CEO of the Hospital District by the HCHD Board of Managers during a special meeting. The announcement concludes more than a year for HCHD without a permanent leader. Board Chair J. Evans Attwell reconvened the meeting after an hour and 10 minute closed-door deliberation. Board members voted 5-4 for Lopez. “We felt that one of the advantages that David had is that he is on the ground, knows the Hospital District and is in the middle of a plan to reorient our activities to fit within the current budget,” Attwell said. The other finalist being considered for the position was Denny DeNarvaez, a former president of Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis. Lopez was excited about the news. “I’m honored and privileged to work with the staff here at the Hospital District who are outstanding in every way and our medical staff who is also outstanding in regard to the patient care we provide,” Lopez said. Despite the split vote, Attwell said Lopez can count on the Board’s full support. “The Board is fully behind David: This is not a split Board. The vote was split but the Board is unanimous in its support for David,” Attwell said. “Obviously, all the Board is going to support David when they believe he’s doing the right thing and they’re going to tell him when he’s doing the wrong thing. Lopez predicts many changes to happen soon, including some reorganization of departments, streamlining of processes and the naming of a Chief Operating Officer (COO). “Whatever we do in the future we will only do because of the fact that we work together as a team,” Lopez said. “It’s not about an individual, it’s about a team as a whole–our hospital, health center and support staff and our medical staff are the key to our current, past and future success.” Details of changes will be presented to the Board and staff in upcoming weeks. A search committee comprising two HCHD board members, Texas Medical Center executives and community leaders, selected the finalists. Lopez assumed the position of Interim President and CEO in March 2004 after the departure of John A. Guest. He was COO at the time. Lopez
will be offered a two-year contract. |
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