Ken Johnson has been named president and chief executive officer of the Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System, effective immediately.
Johnson, 54, has been with the system since early 2011, starting as chief financial officer. He was named chief operating office in 2014 and became interim president in June upon the departure of former president Kevin Miller.
“We have a set of values called ICARE that drive the mission of the organization,” Kim Moore, board chair, said. “Ken lives those values in working hard to see that all of our services are of high quality and are delivered with a patient-first focus.” The ICARE values are integrity, compassion, accountability, respect and excellence.
The board did not conduct a search for a new leader, instead opting to evaluate Johnson in his interim position. It became evident, Moore said, that the board did not need to go outside the system to find a leader.
“As members of the board of directors watched and worked with Ken Johnson in his various roles, we became convinced that his leadership style, administrative skills and personal character are what our health system needs at this critical juncture,” Moore said.
This is actually Johnson’s second stint within the organization. He started his career in 1983 with Hutchinson Hospital Corporation, a forerunner of Hutchinson Regional Medical Center.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to be the CEO of the institution in which I started my career in health care,” Johnson said. “I’m privileged to work with a team of physicians and Healthcare System professionals dedicated to providing high quality care to our community.”
Johnson has 32 years of experience in health care, and has been integral to many of the changes that have taken place in the organization over the last five years.
“Health care is changing rapidly,” Johnson said, “and we need to adapt to the new environment right here at home. We have many challenges ahead, but we have a great group of folks to work with.”
After his early days in Hutchinson, he worked at St. Francis Regional Medical Center in Wichita; Northeast Alabama Regional Medical Center in Anniston, Alabama; Charter Behavioral Health System in Wichita; Via Christi Regional Medical Center in Wichita; and Galichia Heart Hospital in Wichita.
Johnson and his wife, Carolyn, have two grown children. He serves on the board of New Beginnings, commits time to his church, several committees and panels and is active in the Circles of Hope anti-poverty program.
Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System includes five operating entities: Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, Horizons Mental Health Center, Hospice and Homecare of Reno County, Ray E. Dillon Living Center and Health-E-Quip.