KVCH Welcomes Michael Fraser as Interim CEO
Ellensburg, WA Sept 17, 2008 --- Kittitas
Valley Community Hospital Board of Commissioners announced today Michael Fraser
has accepted the offer to act as Interim Chief Executive Officer.
Fraser served for approximately 22 years as
CEO for various healthcare organizations in Washington and Oregon including
Kennewick General Hospital, Silverton Hospital Network, Samaritan Pacific
Communities Hospital, and Samaritan Pacific Clinics.
“We feel fortunate to have found a person
with his broad experience and with a strong commitment to rural hospitals and
healthcare,” said Jack Baker, president KVCH Board of Commissioners. Baker
added that Fraser has had extensive senior
executive experience in non-profit, for-profit, and public hospitals and has
also been involved as a Board member of a variety of healthcare related and
community organizations.
Fraser will attend the next KVCH board
meeting on September 25 and his anticipated start date to begin as CEO is set
for October 1. Eric Jensen, current CEO, plans to spend several days with
Fraser and will be available for consultation if needed. Jensen’s last day at
KVCH is anticipated for September 30, 2008.
“KVCH is an exceptional provider of health
care services and I am very pleased to have been selected to assist the
organization during this transition period,” said Fraser. “I am particularly looking forward to working
with the Board of Commissioners, the medical staff, and the employees in
continuing the vital mission of the hospital to serve its community.”
Fraser currently resides in Lake Oswego,
OR, but will be relocating to Ellensburg for the duration of his Interim CEO
responsibilities. He received his undergraduate degree in Psychology from the
University of Oregon and his Master’s in Health Care Administration from George
Washington University in Washington, D.C.
The Board of Commissioners is currently determining
the methodology for the search for a permanent Chief Executive Officer. It is
anticipated the search process could take up to six-month to complete.
