Karl Hittle, CEO of New Braunfels, Texas-based management firm Endeavor Healthcare, has been hired as interim CEO of Graham (Texas) Regional Medical Center, according to a Graham Leader report.
Here are eight things to know about Mr. Hittle and changes at GRMC.
1. Mr. Hittle will be GRMC's interim CEO while simultaneously executing a search for a CEO to take on the position permanently.
2. According to the report, he expects the search for a new CEO to take about six months or less.
3. Mr. Hittle told the Graham Leader he'll be able to work at GRMC on a daily basis during the CEO search because of Endeavor's overall strength. "I'll be here, with a few exceptions, Monday through Friday during that period. We're very blessed. In our company, we have strong leadership beneath us; each hospital that we manage has a strong CEO," he added.
4. Mr. Hittle and Endeavor President Curtis Rojas own Endeavor, which has been managing small rural hospitals for more than eight years.
5. Previously, Mr. Hittle worked in senior hospital operating positions for 17 years, according to the report.
6. Mr. Hittle's hiring comes as GRMC decided to discontinue the hospital's 14-year relationship with management firm Quorum Health Resources and approve a five-year agreement with Endeavor to provide management services for GRMC.
7. Under the agreement, all employees at the facility will continue to work for the hospital and Endeavor will hire a CEO to oversee the operations. Endeavor is also searching for somebody to take over the CFO role.
8. According to the Graham Leader, Endeavor hopes to lead GRMC to financial stability then expand services at the hospital.
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