A new law that becomes effective in July will prohibit facilities from forcing nurses and certain other healthcare workers to work beyond their scheduled shifts. The legislation aims to improve patient safety, and prevent healthcare facilities from disciplining or discriminating against a caregiver who refuses to work beyond a scheduled shift.
The Memorial Hermann Hospital Health Care System will change the name of the year-old Roger Clemens Institute for Sports Medicine to better reflect its commitment to all sports and athletes. To be renamed the Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine Institute, officials say "the move reflects the desire to promote the broad range of sports medicine services and programs offered by Memorial Hermann."
Starting next year, Kenmore Mercy Hospital will have a new leader. On January 5, 2009, James Millard, current president and CEO of St. Joseph Hospital in Cheektowaga, will become president and CEO of Kenmore Mercy Hospital. Millard will succeed Mary Hoffman, who announced earlier this month that she is leaving Kenmore Mercy Hospital to take a position with Lawley Benefits Group.
Santa Clara Family Health Plan announced that Leona M. Butler, CEO since 1997, will be retiring as of December 31. Butler will continue as "CEO Emerita" for a year after her retirement from her full-time position, to assist the SCFHP board with external and legislative issues.
Sandra Shewry, the former director of the California Department of Health Care Services, has been named to director of the newly created California Center for Connected Health. The CCCH, which begins operations January 2, 2009, was created to expand and coordinate telehealth initiatives across the Golden State.
Edward Sim, vice president of operations at Baptist Medical Center, has been named as incoming administrator of Baptist Medical Center Beaches. On February 1, 2009, Sim will assume the hospital's top administrative leadership position, currently held by Baptist Beaches Administrator Mark Slyter. Sim has been a member of Baptist Health's senior leadership for more than three years. He previously served as chief business development officer at North Fulton Regional, a Tenet Hospital in Roswell, GA.