Mike Tarwater, FACHE, has served as CEO of Charlotte, N.C.-based Carolinas HealthCare System since 2002. He joined the 6,200-bed system in 1981. 
Prior to joining CHS, Mr. Tarwater served as assistant administrator at the University of Alabama Hospitals in Birmingham.
"The grand experiment known as 'healthcare reform' is going to test our ability to innovate, to make truly significant adaptations and perhaps to redesign completely the care process that we have been accustomed to," Mr. Tarwater has said. Not only has he helped lead CHS successfully through reform, he has also helped the healthcare community innovate and change through his involvement in professional organizations. Mr. Tarwater is a life member and a past chair of the North Carolina Hospital Association board of trustees and is a member of the American Hospital Association. Additionally, he has held leadership positions in the North Carolina State Health Coordinating Council, the UNC School of Public Health Advisory Council and the North Carolina Institute of Medicine.
Mr. Tarwater is also involved in community organizations. He served as the second vice-chair of the Charlotte Chamber in 2012 and is set to chair the organization in 2014. He has also served on the YMCA of Greater Charlotte's board of directors and on the University of West Florida Alumni Advisory Council.
Mr. Tarwater has been recognized for his excellent leadership. Becker's Hospital Review named him to its 2012 lists of 100 Non Profit Hospital, Health System CEOs to Know and 300 Hospital and Health System Executives to Know.
Mr. Tarwater will be a speaker at the Becker's Hospital Review 4th Annual Meeting, May 9-11, in Chicago. For more information on the event, or to register, please click here.
If you have additional information or updates for this profile, or would like to recommend a leader to be profiled in the future, please contact Lindsey Dunn, editor in chief, Becker's Hospital Review at ldunn@beckershealthcare.com.
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