BEND, OR -- St. Charles Health System Interim CEO Dr. Steve Gordon has been named to the permanent post.
According to the health system, the St. Charles Board worked with an external search firm to conduct a survey to determine the attributes most desired in the next CEO. They say the top qualities identified by more than 1,600 St. Charles caregivers and community partners were compassion for patients and staff, experience as a direct health care provider and visibility and presence across all sites of care and in the communities St. Charles serves. “During this interim period, Steve has naturally embodied these attributes making him easily the top choice for the position,” Ann Rhoads, chair of the board’s CEO search committee, said in a statement. “We heard repeatedly from the listening sessions that caregivers, physicians and community partners would be thrilled to see Steve in the role for the long term. We believe he is the best person to lead St. Charles into the future and that he will drive the system to provide excellence in care, service and organizational culture.”
Dr. Gordon took the interim job in July, when Joe Sluka resigned. “The board has been very appreciative of Steve’s leadership and desired to have him become the permanent CEO,” said Jamie Orlikoff, chairman of the St. Charles Board of Directors. “We are thrilled he has accepted the position. We look forward to a productive partnership with him for the benefit of the community and our patients.”
Gordon issued a statement saying, “I am energized to build on what we’ve learned so far from service line development in many areas of the organization. Plenty of work still lies ahead, but we’re seeing results from focusing first on clinical excellence and a better experience for our patients, caregivers, physicians and providers. I have enjoyed getting to know this extraordinary organization in a new and deeper way in recent months. We simply have the best people who are committed to providing patients with exceptional care. I want to continue supporting them in that noble endeavor.”
