Spring Hill Regional Gets New CEO

After an extensive search, Spring Hill Regional Hospital plucked its new chief executive from a hospital a few hundred miles away.

Alex Contreras-Soto will begin Monday.

He comes from Palmetto General Hospital in Hialeah, located a short distance northwest of Miami.

"I know that Mr. Contreras-Soto's experience at Palmetto, with (its) strong service lines ... will compliment Spring Hill Regional Hospital's programs and future vision and growth," said Kathy Burke, CEO of Brooksville Regional and vice president of Hernando Healthcare.

Burke said Palmetto is known for its excellence in cardiac services, labor and delivery, women's care, oncology center and rehabilitation center. It also includes facilities for orthopedic, urology, bariatric and general surgery.

"I am excited about the chance to continue Spring Hill Regional Hospital's mission of providing quality, compassionate care," Contreras-Soto said in a media release. "I look forward to the opportunity to continue to enhance patient care, exceed our patient's service expectations and provide for the health care needs of the citizens of the communities we serve."

Contreras-Soto, who was CEO at Palmetto, earned a master's degree in health care administration from the University of Miami and a bachelor's degree in accounting from Florida International University.

He has more than 11 years experience in hospital operations, according to a media release. Palmetto is a 360-bed facility. Spring Hill Regional, by comparison, has 124 beds.

Prior to his six years as chief executive at Palmetto, Contreras-Soto was the chief financial officer at Palmetto and Coral Gables Hospital.