Terry Fletchall was the youngest CEO in Oregon in 1988 and is currently the longest-tenured CEO in the state.
Santiam Hospital announced the retirement of CEO Terry Fletchall Tuesday.
Fletchall has served the independent hospital, based in Stayton, Oregon, for 38 years and is the longest-tenured CEO in the state.
He started as the hospital's controller in 1982, then was appointed CEO in 1988. At the time, he was the youngest CEO in Oregon.
Santiam CFO and COO Maggie Hudson will replace Fletchall as president and CEO.
During his tenure, Fletchall led the "struggling community hospital" to flourishment.
He oversaw the expansion of the hospital from "a single one-story building" to a large hospital with 11 primary and specialty care clinics over sixteen acres on-site, and three satellite primary care clinics. The hospital has a new medical surgical unit, an intensive care unit, a birthing center, a surgery center, and ancillary and emergency services.
"Understanding the unique intricacies of an acute care hospital and the constantly changing healthcare paradigm, developing and carrying out plans, responding to change and investing in people, infrastructure and technology; together with timing, relationships and a little luck are the keys to success," Fletchall said in a press release.
He also oversaw investments in technology to diagnose and treat patients, and the organization’s ICU now utilizes virtual telemedicine in a partnership with Oregon Health Sciences University.
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Melanie Blackman is a contributing editor for strategy, marketing, and human resources at HealthLeaders, an HCPro brand.