St. Charles hospital CEO accepts new position

St. Charles Parish Hospital CEO Austin Reeder has accepted a new position with Ochsner Health System effective in September.

“I am proud of how we transformed the hospital and our culture, driven by our mission, vision and values,” Reeder said. “We have set a foundation and structure that will ensure continued success in quality, safety, experience and financial stability at St. Charles Parish Hospital.”

Reeder has been named vice president of Hospital Operations at Ocshner Medical Center – New Orleans.

Terrell Neal, St. Charles Parish Hospital’s COO/Chief Nursing Officer, will serve as interim chief executive officer until a new CEO is named.

Stephen Robinson, chief executive officer of Ochsner Medical Center- Kenner and the River Region, congratulated Reeder on his new role.

Robinson said, during his tenure as hospital CEO, Reeder led efforts to grow services, create new jobs, expand local access to care and improve patient experience.

“We will begin a search in partnership with the St Charles Parish Hospital Board for a new chief executive officer immediately,” he said.

In a statement, the St. Charles Parish Hospital Board also thanked Reeder “for his dedication and leadership at St. Charles Parish Hospital. His contributions have led to improvements in quality, safety, patient experience and financial stability at the hospital, and he has set a foundation that will ensure continued success. We look forward to the selection process for a new CEO who will continue to build on the achievements during Austin’s nearly three-year tenure. St. Charles Parish Hospital’s team of dedicated employees will continue to provide great care close to home.”

Reeder was credited with improving quality, safety and experience over the past few years, which was validated by the hospital’s recognition from the Leapfrog Group as a 2018 Top General Hospital. The hospital was the only hospital in the Louisiana to be recognized and 1 of 35 across the country.

Reeder also added many new services and specialties, including chemotherapy, oncology, orthopedics, GI/endoscopy and OB/GYN. Unique patients grew by 40 percent and outpatient visits by over 64 percent.

Under his leadership, the hospital’s financial stability resulted in reinvestments in its facilities. Specifically, two major projects that are underway with the MedPsych Unit and an East Bank Therapy and Wellness location.

With the support of St. Charles Parish, they were able to refinance current bonds and issue $2.25 million of new money to fund an ODC and Pediatric Therapy on the East Bank of the parish.

“I am most proud of our improvements in engagement and culture,” Reeder said. “The engagement of our team increased from 38 percent ‘Actively Engaged’ to 62 percent ‘Engaged’ and our ‘Culture of Safety Increased’ from 63 percent to 75 percent. I am confident that these two areas have been the catalyst to our success over the past few years.”

Reeder said they also “made great strides partnering with the community in St. Charles Parish, including the industry, Parish Government, and our Community Board.  I have also represented SCPH on the Rural Hospital Coalition Board.”