The transformation from Central Kansas Medical Center to St. Rose Ambulatory and Surgery Center in the coming weeks will include a new organizational structure. On Monday, Denver-based Catholic Health Initiatives, the national nonprofit health organization that oversees CKMC in Great Bend and St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City, announced plans for a single, state-wide chief executive officer for CHI operations.

Scott J. Taylor will become president and CEO of CHI Kansas.

Since 2005, Taylor has served as president and CEO for St. Catherine Hospital, a 132-bed, acute-care facility, along with a multi-specialty physician group with presence in Garden City, Dodge City, Liberal, Ulysses and Scott City. Starting May 16, he will oversee CHI operations throughout Kansas.

St. Rose will have a full-time administrator for daily operations. One of Taylor’s first duties for the ambulatory and surgery center will be the selection of that person. "We hope to fill that key position within the next 60 days," Taylor said.

Both St. Rose and St. Catherine will continue to be governed by their local boards of directors, which will work closely with the CEO, Taylor said.

Ron Vratil, chairman of the CKMC Board of Directors, expressed enthusiasm for the coming changes. "The board ... is excited about Scott’s role in St. Rose Ambulatory and Surgery Center and looks forward to working with him on completing the new organizational structure in the upcoming weeks. Scott will bring energy and strategic focus for St. Rose as we move forward."

"I am honored and excited to be associated with St. Rose and Great Bend," Taylor said. "I have a deep affection for the legacy of the Dominican Sisters in Kansas, and the ministry of Catholic Health Initiatives which they helped create. I also look forward to working with the St. Rose Board of Directors toward the creation of a new structure and ministry in Great Bend.