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Hamilton County: King, Hutcherson join Erlanger hospital board

By: Emily Bregel
(Contact)

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Charles Longer

A flurry of accolades, elections and goodbyes marked Erlanger hospital’s Thursday night board meeting, as two new trustees took their places on the board and two veterans departed.

Attorney Russell King, a former Erlanger board chairman, was the Hamilton County Chancery Court’s appointment to the hospital board. Accountant Donnie Hutcherson of Henderson Hutcherson & McCullough was appointed by Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield.

Mr. Hutcherson said that in this, his first role in the health care arena, he plans to initially “listen and participate when I can.”

Mr. King served eight years on Erlanger’s board before departing in 1995. Board members can serve no more than eight consecutive years but after at least a one-year break they may serve again, according to the legislation that created the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Hospital Authority that governs Erlanger.

The two new trustees took the vacated places of attorney Tom Williams and Bruce Adams, executive vice president at First Tennessee Bank, who both are leaving the board after eight years.

“I’d say that sort of marks the end of an era,” said board chairman Dr. Charles Longer at the meeting. “Both trustees have led by example and their strenuous effort and unflagging dedication was an example for me of what it takes to govern this health system.”

Hospital officials also gave recognition to Susan O’Hare, who will be leaving her role as senior vice president for specialty hospitals and services, to take on a role as a national consultant and senior vice president with Integrated Healthcare Strategies.

Erlanger CEO Jim Brexler also noted at the meeting that Erlanger has scored a contract with Volkswagen Group of America to provide all on-site health care services over the next two years during construction of the $1 billion plant at the Enterprise South.

The hospital will have a nurse and paramedic on site and will work with Hamilton County Emergency Medical Services to handle any medical emergencies.

Mr. Brexler also announced that effective March 2, 2009, all Erlanger campuses will become tobacco-free.

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