Hospital CEO In Charge Of Candidate Search

Kathy Burke works four full-time jobs.

She is the chief executive officer at Brooksville Regional Hospital. Last month, she became the interim CEO at Spring Hill Regional after Jason Roeback's resignation.

She is a vice president for their parent corporation - Health Management Associates - and is conducting the search for the latter hospital's new CEO.

Burke prefers to describe the last month as "exhilarating" rather than "exhausting."

"I'm responsible for both facilities, so this has given me an opportunity to be involved more at Spring Hill," said Burke, who was hired as Brooksville Regional's CEO in May 2007.

She describes Brooksville and Spring Hill Regional not as two hospitals, but as "one hospital with two campuses."

The next CEO at Spring Hill will report directly to her.

Phone interviews with interested candidates already have begun, Burke said. A select few will be invited to the hospital to meet with her and interview with the management team, medical staff leaders and corporate executives.

Burke has not established a deadline for the selection process.

The hospital is searching nationwide for its next leader. Ads have been posted online, and Burke has contacted recruiters specializing in health care.

The company owns 58 hospitals, so there is the possibility of hiring from within HMA. Roeback was selected while serving as chief operating officer at Brooksville Regional.

Roeback resigned to accept a job in his native Pennsylvania and to be closer to family, Burke said.