Portneuf Medical Center Names New CEO

Business Wire, May 05, 2009

Norman F. Stephens to Lead PMC

PLANO, Texas & POCATELLO, Idaho -- Portneuf Medical Center (PMC) and Legacy Hospital Partners, Inc. (LHP) announce the appointment of Norman F. Stephens as the new CEO of PMC effective June 1, 2009. Stephens comes to Pocatello from Palmer, Alaska where he has served as CEO of Mat-Su Regional Medical Center since 2004. While in Alaska, Stephens supervised the construction of an award-winning replacement hospital, ahead of schedule and under budget. He was successful in recruiting physicians and increased the medical staff by 33% while also receiving HealthStream Research’s 2007 national award for the highest patient perception of quality. Prior to his time in Alaska, Stephens was CEO at Pampa Regional Medical Center in Pampa, Texas, and CEO of the Rehabilitation Hospital in the Lutheran Health Network in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Stephens’ experience also includes multiple executive positions with Continental Medical Systems in Las Vegas, Nevada and Fresno, California.

Mark Buckalew, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Pocatello Health System, LLC, said, “We are positive that Norman is the right fit for Portneuf. He has a proven track record of 16 years as a CEO in the healthcare industry on top of the fact that he started as a physical therapist in 1977. He knows hospitals from the ground up. Norman has shown that he is successful at working with physicians and employees. Most importantly, his previous hospitals have achieved outstanding patient satisfaction and quality outcomes.”

“The PMC Board of Trustees is most pleased that Mr. Stephens has chosen to join us at PMC. His experience has prepared him well. We are confident that his leadership and enthusiasm will help bring a bright future of state-of-the-art healthcare to all of southeast Idaho,” added Ben Call, MD, Chairman, PMC Hospital Board of Trustees.

Stephens holds a Masters of Public Administration in Healthcare from California State University, Hayward, California and a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy from Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California.

LHP Division President Gary Hill commented, “Norman is an exceptional leader and has a proven track record of success in improving patient, employee and physician satisfaction. Norman understands how important it is that we provide the best possible clinical care for the communities we serve. His passion for excellence will serve us well as we build a new state-of-the–art facility with all private rooms to serve the healthcare needs of southeastern Idaho.”

Brad Burton, MD, PMC Chief of Staff, said, “We welcome Norman and his family to Pocatello. Norman is the right leader at the right time for our hospital. He will lead us into this next exciting phase of Portneuf’s history where we will all have a part in writing the success story that lies ahead. The future has never looked brighter for Portneuf Medical Center!”

The son of a retired oil man, Norman spent part of his childhood in Alaska and Venezuela. Norman is married to Susan Stephens, originally of Abingdon, Virginia, and they have three daughters: Kellie, a Registered Nurse in Pampa, Texas; Wendy, currently in her third year at the University of Alaska; and Stephanie, a senior, graduating this month from Palmer High School. Stephens said, “Both the younger Stephens daughters are busy searching through the Idaho State University website in anticipation of this new adventure.”

Stephens added, “It is a privilege and an honor to have been selected to lead the team at Portneuf Medical Center into this next chapter. The development of the new hospital will be exciting and exhilarating and lots of hard work. Fortunately, I have seen that hard work is something people in southeastern Idaho are not afraid of. I have also observed a real commitment on the part of the physicians and employees to deliver the best possible care to the people of this community. After all, this community is made up of their family and friends. I promise you that the commitment will continue and we will strive everyday to provide the best patient care in all of Idaho. This move to Idaho brings my family back to the 'lower 48' and closer to our families. My wife, Susan, and our children are very excited about becoming a part of this very special community.”

About Portneuf Medical Center (PMC)

Portneuf Medical Center (PMC) is an acute care facility with 250 licensed beds, and has served the regional health care needs of southeast Idaho since 1907. It is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and is licensed by the State Department of Health and Welfare. In its 2008 rankings, HealthGrades, a leading national healthcare ratings organization, ranked PMC #1 in Idaho for Cardiac Surgery and #1 in the region for overall Orthopedic Services. For more information, please go to www.portmed.org.