Cottage Hospital names new CEO

Countryman previously chief of Vegas hospital

Friday, February 10, 2006

By MIKE LANDIS

The Register-Mail

GALESBURG - Cory Countryman has been appointed chief executive officer at Galesburg Cottage Hospital.

Countryman replaces Steve Patonai, who is relocating to Cleveland, Tenn., to accept a CEO position at a two-hospital system within Cottage Hospital's parent company, Tennessee-based Community Health Systems.

Countryman brings more than a decade of healthcare management experience to the CEO position. Since arriving at Cottage Hospital last year as assistant CEO, he spearheaded the hospital's $6.5 million expansion and renovation project, which resulted in a new emergency room and an expanded intensive care unit. He also played a key role in both the recruitment of new physicians and the hospital's customer service initiative, which significantly raised patient satisfaction. Before coming to Galesburg, he served as CEO of the 198-bed North Vista Hospital in North Las Vegas, Nev.

"I feel fortunate to have been a part of Cottage Hospital over the last year and look forward to continuing the positive momentum that Steve Patonai has created," said Countryman. "Working with this team of dedicated and caring staff, physicians and board is what drew me to Cottage in the first place."

Countryman said the new emergency and intensive care units have been "received extremely well" by Cottage's patients, physicians and staff.

"We are excited about our recent expansion with our ICU and ER construction projects and about our forthcoming geriatric psychiatric unit," said Countryman.

Patonai joined Cottage Hospital as its CEO in 2004.

"The decision to leave the hospital was a difficult one. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with our dedicated employees and physicians, and I deeply appreciate the opportunity to serve the community," Patonai said. "I will miss being a part of the hospital's accomplished team, but I know Cory will continue the progress we've made together and bring many important plans for the future to life."

"We are grateful to Steve for his strong leadership and the many contributions he has made to the advancement of healthcare in our community in such a short time," said George Peterson, chairman of the hospital's board of trustees. "Cory has an impressive background and we have great confidence in his ability to continue advancing the strong relationships Steve built with our employees, medical staff and community."

Countryman said there is nothing to expand on yet regarding Cottage's "plans for the future" mentioned by Patonai, but added the hospital is always looking at new service lines to benefit the community.