Memorial Medical Center (MMC) named John Harris as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective November 1, 2013. Harris assumes the top leadership role at the hospital following the retirement of Paul Herzog on October 31.
Most recently, Harris served as group vice president for Pennsylvania-based Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS) overseeing five hospitals in the organization’s Southern California market from November 2012 – July 2013.
“John brings nearly 40 years of healthcare administration experience to MMC and the Las Cruces community,” said Don Bivacca, Western Group President for LifePoint Hospitals®, of which MMC is a part. “Among his extensive experience, he has demonstrated success developing and executing business strategies, growing service lines and enhancing physician relationships. He will be an asset to leading the hospital during this time of change and uncertainty within the healthcare industry.”
Previously, Harris worked with Tenet Healthcare Corporation as Market CEO of Sierra Providence Health Network in El Paso, Texas, from 2006-2012, and as CEO of LakePointe Medical Center in Rowlett, Texas, from 2003-2006. Additionally, Harris has served as CEO of various hospitals in Texas, Arizona, Washington and Utah.
“We are thrilled to welcome John to MMC and are confident that he is the right leader to strengthen our hospital for the future,” said Dr. William Einig, chair of the MMC Board of Trustees. “John shares our priorities of providing the best care to our community while operating as efficiently and effectively as possible. His knowledge of leading community hospitals similar to ours will be valuable to MMC.”
Harris earned his bachelor’s degree from Oregon State University and his master’s degree in hospital administration from the University of Alabama in Birmingham.
