Larry Clark (left), chairman of the Three Rivers Health Authority Board, and William "Bill" Russell, the hospital's new president and CEO.

It’s official.

William “Bill” Russell is now the new president and CEO of Three Rivers Health.

The “official” status came Thursday morning (November 19th) as the Three Rivers Health Authority Board ratified the arrangement through which Russell will serve in the hospital’s top administrative position as an employee of Quorum Health Resources (QHR), the firm that provides management services for Three Rivers Health.

Russell had served as interim CEO since the departure of Matt Chambers at the end of July after nearly 12 years as president and CEO.

Prior to the ratification vote, Gerald Parton, regional vice-president with Quorum, reported success in negotiations with Russell after he was chosen for the permanent position during the board’s October 29th meeting.  Parton indicated that Russell accepted a salary of $208,000, an amount within the range discussed with the board, and agreed to live in the hospital’s primary service area, which is basically the Three Rivers zip code, “or fairly close to it.”  The agreement with Russell also covers moving expenses and temporary housing for up to 90 days.

In a news release prepared to announce the appointment, Board Chair Larry Clark said, “Bill brings a wealth of hospital experience to this position and is committed to making physician, patient and employee satisfaction a high priority.  Quorum Health Resources (QHR) conducted a national search for this position and worked closely with us to identify a CEO who was the right fit for our hospital and community.”

Prior to serving as an interim CEO for QHR client hospitals, Russell was chief executive officer of Riverton Memorial Hospital in Wyoming and chief operating officer for Rio Grande Regional Hospital in Texas.  He has held other leadership positions in hospitals in Virginia and Missouri during a healthcare career of more than 20 years that started with a degree in nursing.  Russell received a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Washington University and his Master’s of Health Administration from the University of Colorado at Denver.

Russell expressed gratitude for the opportunity to fill the permanent position at Three Rivers Health.  He said, “I look forward to strengthening my new relationships with the medical staff, employees and board, and becoming an active member of the community.  From what I’ve seen already, this is a wonderful community which obviously cares about its local hospital.”

Russell and his wife, Katherine, currently reside in Seattle, Washington.  They are the proud parents of William, 29, of Sao Paulo, Brazil; Hanna, 26, of Moab, Utah; and Laura, 23, of Seattle.  Russell and his wife will relocate to the Three Rivers area early next year.

To hear an interview with Larry Clark regarding the appointment of Bill Russell as the hospital’s new president and CEO – an interview recorded by Bruce Snook of the River Country Journal – click here (2:00).