Mike Poore chosen as CEO for MedWest Health System
Dec. 8, 2009
The governing board of MedWest Health System voted unanimously Tuesday to accept Carolinas HealthCare System’s recommendation and appoint Mike Poore as the chief executive officer for the affiliated hospitals of Haywood Regional Medical Center, Harris Regional Hospital and Swain County Hospital.
“I’m excited about the challenges of bringing these two organizations together to better serve all of our communities. With the resources of WestCare, Haywood and Carolinas HealthCare integrated, we’ll be able to enhance further the healthcare of our region,” Poore said. "I appreciate the confidence of Carolinas HealthCare System and the MedWest board as we work together for a bright and promising future for our hospitals.”
Poore, who was hired as CEO of Haywood Regional Medical Center in October 2008, will assume the MedWest CEO position January 1, 2010. MedWest is the name of the affiliation of Haywood Regional, Harris Regional and Swain County hospitals.
“Mike Poore will be very busy over the next few months working with the new organization and with Carolinas HealthCare System as they develop the management action plan to be presented to the MedWest board. The transitional process will take approximately six months,” said Mark Clasby, chairman of the MedWest board.
“Mike Poore has the experience and expertise to lead the system as it grows and enhances healthcare in the area. He has the full backing and support of the board and we look forward to the work that needs to be done,” said Fred Alexander, vice chairman of the MedWest board.
“I would like to congratulate Mike Poore on his appointment to CEO of MedWest Health System,” said Mark Leonard, CEO for WestCare Health System. This system, with support of Carolinas HealthCare System, will ensure that quality healthcare continues to be delivered to the citizens of Western North Carolina for years to come. I am very proud of our strong, capable and compassionate WestCare staff and know they will remain committed to providing excellent patient care. I would ask the WestCare staff to give Mike the same level of commitment and dedication they have provided me.”
The MedWest Board of Directors is made up of 14 members and has equal representation from both Haywood Regional Hospital and Harris Regional and Swain County Hospitals. Two physicians each from Haywood and WestCare also serve on the board of directors.
Poore served as senior vice president and administrator for Wellstar Douglas and Wellstar Paulding hospitals and the Paulding Nursing Facility in Atlanta, Ga., from 2007 to 2009, and as vice president and administrator for Douglas Hospital from 2004 to 2007. He served as the administrative director of ancillary services and vice president of operations at DePaul Medical Center from 1998 to 2004. Prior to that he was an administrator of support services at Erlanger Health Systems and was an administrator at Stewart Webster Hospital in Richland, Ga.
Poore is originally from Mobile, Al. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Services Administration at Auburn University and a Master of Business Administration degree at the University of South Alabama. He is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. He and his wife, Penny, have two sons and one daughter.
“I would like to thank the MedWest board for their hard work to ensure a strong system that can offer better service to all communities served by the newly integrated network,” said Michael C. Tarwater, CEO of Carolinas HealthCare System. “We at Carolinas HealthCare look forward to being actively involved in those communities, and responsive to community needs, once the new management agreement has taken effect.”
Mr. Clasby said the MedWest board’s goal is for the management agreement to become effective in January. The management services agreement will help to ensure access to broader resources, and sharing best practices in areas such as financial management, staff recruiting, safety and quality improvement, he said.
