New CEO named for Prime Healthcare region

Steven D. Wilkinson

Steven D. Wilkinson has been named chief executive officer for the Kansas City Region of Prime Healthcare, which includes Providence Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas.

Wilkinson previously was the CEO of Menorah Medical Center in Overland Park, Kansas, where he served since 1997. He also is a former regional executive for the American Hospital Association, and a former president and CEO of St. Catherine Hospital, Garden City, Kansas.

According to a news release, Wilkinson will lead the strategic direction and operations for four hospitals and 31 physician practices and clinics in Missouri and Kansas for Prime Healthcare. Besides Providence Medical Center, hospitals in the region include Saint John Hospital, Leavenworth, Kansas; St. Joseph Medical Center, Kansas City, Missouri; and St. Mary’s Medical Center, Blue Springs, Missouri.

The day-to-day operations at Providence will continue to be directed by Karen Orr, administrator. Directing operations at the other hospitals will be Jodi Fincher, administrator, St. Joseph Medical Center; Deb Ohnoutka, CEO, St. Mary’s Medical Center; and Paula Ellis, administrator-CNO, Saint John Hospital.

“We are confident that Steve is the right leader at the right time, and he has demonstrated a deep commitment to achieving success,” said Luis Leon, president of operations, Prime Healthcare Division II, in the news release. “His capabilities and experience, combined with our current leadership, will help us grow to better serve the communities in our Kansas and Missouri Region today and well into the future,”

“I am honored to join Prime Healthcare and serve as the Kansas City Regional CEO,” Wilkinson said. “Prime has four excellent hospitals in the Kansas City area, and I look forward to working closely with the leaders, physicians, nurses, volunteers, and employees to continue providing high quality healthcare to all members of the community.”

His additional professional and community roles include serving as past president of the Kansas City Metropolitan Healthcare Council and past chairman of the board of the Kansas Hospital Association, where he also served on the board. In November 2012, Wilkinson received the Charles S. Billings Award, the highest recognition given by the Kansas Hospital Association, for his leadership and accomplishments in the health care industry.
– Information from Pat McBratney, Providence Medical Center