Capella Health

Experienced Healthcare Leader Starts January 3

McMinnville, TN – Experienced healthcare executive Kenneth R. Wicker, FACHE, has been named Chief Executive Officer for River Park Hospital (RPH), effective January 3. The announcement was made jointly today by Jeff Golden, Chairman of the hospital’s Board of Trustees, and Mark Medley, President of the American Division of Capella Healthcare, of which RPH is a part.

“We are thrilled that Ken will be joining us,” said Medley. “With the challenges and opportunities that the healthcare industry is facing during the coming years, having the right leaders in place is more vital than ever before. Ken’s experience, passion for excellence, and leadership savvy will help take River Park to the next level.”

“Ken will be a great fit for River Park Hospital and the McMinnville community,” said Golden. “During the interview process, we were impressed with his experiences in physician relations, strategic planning, and product line development as well as in his energy and interest in the community. We are excited about the leadership he will provide and are looking forward to welcoming Ken and his family to the community.”

With nearly 20 years of experience in healthcare leadership roles, Wicker has for the past six years been Vice-President/Chief Operating Officer of Doctors Hospital, a 354-bed HCA-affiliated hospital in Augusta, GA. Prior to that, he was COO of HCA’s two-hospital system in Ocala, FL, which included 200-bed Ocala Regional Medical Center and 70-bed West Marion Community Hospital. Before that he served Associate Administrator of Fairview Park Hospital in Dublin, GA. He also worked with Ernst & Young, LLP and William M. Mercer, Inc.

Wicker completed his undergraduate degree in business with an emphasis in finance at University of South Carolina. He earned masters’ degrees in business administration and health sciences from University of Florida.

He has earned board certification from the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), the nation’s leading professional society for healthcare leaders, and been named an ACHE Fellow.

Active in the community, Wicker currently serves on boards for the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce, Greater Augusta Health Network, and Champions Retreat. He grew up in Greer, SC.

Wicker and his wife, Kimberly, have a son, Carson, who is 11, and a daughter, Christine, who is 7. “Our family is very excited about the new opportunity with River Park and relocating to the McMinnville area. I look forward to the opportunities and challenges that are facing the industry and working with the great staff at River Park along with being involved in community activities.”

“We’ve been fortunate to have Dan Akin serving as Interim CEO,” Medley said. “He has done an outstanding job, and will continue to assist through these new few weeks as Ken transitions and moves his family.”

About River Park Hospital
River Park Hospital (RPH) is a 125-bed acute-care, full-service facility, fully accredited by The Joint Commission. The hospital employs nearly 400 people at its current modern facility, which was built in 1996. RPH features a 24-hour Emergency Department with round-the-clock Imaging and Laboratory Services. Along with a 72-bed medical/surgical unit and comprehensive surgical services, RPH also provides a host of other medical services, including Endoscopy, Inpatient and Outpatient Rehabilitation, a Family Birth Unit, an 8-bed Intensive Care Unit, CAP-accredited high complexity lab, Ophthalmological services, and comprehensive Diagnostic and Imaging services, among others. In addition, the hospital’s Chest Pain Center is accredited by the Society of Chest Pain Centers. For more information, visit www.RiverParkHospital.com

About Capella Healthcare
RPH is a part of Capella Healthcare, which partners with communities to build strong local healthcare systems that are known for quality patient care. Based in Franklin, Capella operates thirteen hospitals in seven states throughout the nation.