For-profit hospital chain Quorum Health has announced a change in leadership, with Thomas Miller, MHA, retiring as its president, CEO and board member and Robert Fish, MPH, taking over as interim chief executive.
Miller has led the company since it was spun off from Community Health Systems in 2016. Like other for-profit hospital operators, it has run into financial issues in recent years—it has closed or divested of 10 hospitals since the spinoff and has targeted up to $215 million in additional sales of assets after reporting a net loss of $98.5 million in the first quarter of this year.
“On behalf of the board and everyone at Quorum Health, I want to thank Tom and recognize him for his leadership and years of service during a challenging period for the Company following the spin-off from Community Health Systems,” said Quorum board chair Terry Allison Rappuhn. “Throughout his career, Tom has demonstrated a passion for patient care, physician relationships and treating people the right way. He has much to be proud of, including helping to grow and expand networks and improving the health of the communities he served.”
Rappuhn said she believes Quorum “has made considerable progress” in addressing challenges like divesting assets and reducing its debt, making now the right time for a change at the top of the company.
Fish comes from outside Quorum, having most recently served as interim CEO for drug testing lab company Millennium Health from January to March of this year. He’s also served as board chair for skilled nursing and assisted living facilities company Genesis Healthcare since April 2017.
“I have great respect for Quorum Health as a premier non-urban healthcare provider and for the important role it plays in supporting local hospitals that are often the sole or primary provider of healthcare services in their communities,” Fish said. “I look forward to working with the Board and management team as we empower healthcare professionals to serve patients and improve our operational execution to enhance shareholder value.”
It’s the second departure of an executive at Quorum this year. CFO Michael Culotta resigned from his position in March.
John joined TriMed in 2016, focusing on healthcare policy and regulation. After graduating from Columbia College Chicago, he worked at FM News Chicago and Rivet News Radio, and worked on the state government and politics beat for the Illinois Radio Network. Outside of work, you may find him adding to his never-ending graphic novel collection.