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Methodist Hospital CEO announces retirement following ransomware attack last week

After more than 31 years of dedicated service to Methodist Hospital, Bruce Begley, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), has announced his retirement. A reception honoring Begley will take place from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Friday, April 1 in the Board Room located on the fifth floor of Methodist Hospital. Community members are invited to attend.

Begley met with the Board of Directors in February 2014 to announce his plan to retire and to allow for adequate time to hire a replacement CEO. A replacement CEO has been identified and will begin their duties in April.

Begley joined Methodist Hospital on October 1, 1984 as the Assistant Executive Director and Controller. After a unanimous decision, the Board of Directors named Begley CEO after the retirement of former CEO Charles R. Chapman. Begley assumed duties of CEO on January 1, 1993.

A native of Hazard, Kentucky, Begley came to Henderson from Nashville, Tennessee, where he had been employed by National Health Care, Inc., an Alabama based hospital corporation, as a Regional Finance and Administrative Director. From 1980 to 1983, he served as Controller for Jesse Holman Jones Hospital in Springfield, Tennessee. He had also served as Budget Analyst for Hospital Affiliates in Nashville and as a Financial Management Specialist for Humana’s McFarland Hospital in Lebanon, Tennessee.

During his tenure, Begley has led Methodist Hospital through the continually changing healthcare environment and through several major hospital expansions with the hospital as well as health care services. Some highlights of his achievements during his time at Methodist Hospital include: 

  • The creation of the first Home Health Agency;
  • Development of the Community Care Network, Methodist Hospital’s first Preferred Provider Organization (PPO);
  • Purchase of Valley View Medical Center in Morganfield, Kentucky, which is now known as Methodist Hospital Union County;
  • Creation of the Community Access to Child Health (CATCH) Program;
  • Development of Home Medical Equipment;
  • Conversion of Methodist Hospital Union County to a critical care access hospital;
  • Addition of a full-time Neonatologist;
  • National accreditation of the Sleep Lab by the American Sleep Disorders Association;
  • Expansion of the North Tower, which includes new in- and out-patient surgical services, operating rooms and Women’s Pavilion;
  • Expansion of the South Tower, which includes new patient care areas including Intensive Care Unit, Telemetry Unit and Surgical Unit;
  • Opening of the first Catheterization Laboratory;
  • Completion of a 1,700 square foot addition to the 16-bed Extended Care Facility for long-term care at Methodist Hospital Union County;
  • Category I accreditation for Continuing Medical Education;
  • Development of affiliations with Deaconess Health System, Evansville Surgical Associates, Kosair Children’s Hospital, Neonatal Specialists ,Tri-State Orthopaedics and University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center;
  • Creation of Prevention and Wellness Services;
  • Opening of the first USA CareStore and
  • Magnet recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center

In addition, Begley received numerous awards during his time at Methodist Hospital. These awards include the Gordan B. Tittle Award for outstanding volunteer service from the United Way and the Distinguished Service Award and the Community Service Award from the Kentucky Hospital Association and more. Begley served as Chairman of the Board for the Kentucky Hospital Association and has been involved in various community activities and agencies.

“Bruce’s vast knowledge of the healthcare industry coupled with his understanding of hospital finances has definitely benefited Methodist Hospital,” said Garland Certain, Methodist Hospital Chairman of the Board. “A great example of this understanding is his vision of where healthcare is going in this country. He has often stated that in the future providers will be serving more preventive care to healthier patients rather than how we’ve treated those in the past. Bruce was very instrumental in creating the newly formed USA CareStore. He is eager to continue his involvement in the community. The Board of Trustees appreciates Bruce’s many contributions to the hospital and we wish him, Barbara (his wife) and his family the very best.”

An announcement on Begley’s replacement will be released in April.