North Okaloosa Medical Center CEO to depart

North Okaloosa Medical Center CEO David Sanders’ last day at the helm is next Friday.

Sanders is leaving to take over as CEO of Fannin Regional Hospital in Blue Ridge, Ga., an affiliate of Community Health Systems (CHS), as is North Okaloosa Medical Center.

“Georgia is home for my wife and me so this move takes us much closer to our families,” Sanders said.

The search for a new CEO at North Okaloosa Medical Center is underway. Members of the hospital’s board of trustees, along with medical staff, will be involved in the selection process to name Sanders’ successor, hospital officials said.

Sanders has overseen major growth at the hospital since taking the reins in April 2007, overseeing $12 million in upgrades and spearheading a $22-million expansion project underway to build a 40-bed patient tower.

In 2008, the hospital was named the “Business of the Year” by the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce. In 2007 and again in 2008, CHS awarded Sanders an Outstanding Achievement Award in its annual Excellence in Leadership Awards.

When the announcement of the 2008 recipients was made last year, David Miller, CHS Division One president, called Sanders’ performance at North Okaloosa Medical Center “superior.”

“He has developed a solid relationship with community leaders and the area military commanders,” Miller said. “Additionally, medical staff relations are the most positive in 10 years, which resulted in significant growth.”

Dr. Pamela Meadows, who chairs the hospital’s board of directors, agreed.

“The standards at North Okaloosa Medical Center have been raised phenomenally under David’s leadership and that excellent patient care will continue,” Meadows said in a prepared statement. “We thank David for his many contributions to quality healthcare for the Crestview community and wish him all the best.”

Sanders called the hospital’s success “a team effort.”

“I am confident that this hospital will maintain its momentum thanks to the board members, employees, physicians and volunteers who care for our patients and the community every day,” Sanders said.

With military-related growth and the pending arrival of the 7th Special Forces, Sanders predicts the hospital, which employs 760 people according its website, will continue to thrive.

“This hospital has such a bright future with the patient tower and growth in the community,” Sanders said. “It has unlimited potential.”