Putnam Community Medical Center announces new CEO

Experienced Healthcare Executive Dan McLean Tapped for Leadership Post

PALATKA, FL.  July 22, 2009 – The Board of Trustees at Putnam Community Medical Center (PCMC) is pleased to announce that Daniel P. McLean, CHE, will assume the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective August 1.  McLean has been serving as the Interim CEO since March 23.

"These are challenging times for hospitals everywhere, especially for community hospitals like PCMC," said Patrick Harris, D.O., Chairman of the hospital's Board of Trustees.  "We are exceedingly fortunate to have lured not only an experienced CEO, but one whose reputation is as solid as Dan's. His vast experience in healthcare administration gives him a unique depth of knowledge enabling him to steer our hospital to success no matter what challenges may come our way."

"Dan's vision for PCMC is to provide high quality care to our community," he continued. "He is a uniter and works to bring together the hospital's physicians and its employees in their common goal to provide excellent care for our patients, who are also our neighbors and family members.  In fact, we have already been impressed with Dan's skills during the time he has served as our interim CEO. Among other accomplishments, Dan has already enjoyed success in achieving for our facility some of the positive recognition it has long deserved. We are even beginning to experience an influx of patients from surrounding counties as our reputation grows.  We know that the community will join our Board of Trustees and hospital staff in welcoming Dan as our new CEO."

According to Robert Klein, President of LifePoint Hospitals' United Division of which PCMC is a part:  "Dan brings experience that will help to lead the hospital forward. He has exceptional skills which have already come to be recognized and appreciated by the physicians, associates, and volunteers as well as the greater community."

McLean has a proven record of building teams, fostering strong physician relations, and creating ties to the community.  He first became affiliated with LifePoint Hospitals when he took on the role of Interim CEO and project coordinator for development of a replacement hospital being built for Ennis Regional Medical Center in Ennis, Texas, from 2007 to 2008.  Most recently he served as  Senior Vice President/CEO of Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen, Harlingen Texas, where he was responsible for the overall management of this 600-bed, tertiary, teaching medical center.  While there he coordinated the recovery efforts following Hurricane Dolly, which included construction and renovation, even while preparing for hurricanes Ike and Gustav.

From 1997 to 2007, McLean was with Universal Health Services (UHS), most recently serving as Group Director-South Texas Region and CEO for South Texas Health System.  His responsibilities included overseeing operations for seven facilities totaling more than 900 beds.  Other positions with UHS included serving as CEO and Managing Director from 2000 to 2004 for The George Washington University Hospital, a 501-bed tertiary teaching facility in Washington, DC, and as CEO and Managing Director from 1997 to 2000 for McAllen Medical Center, a 490-bed facility in McAllen, Texas.

Prior to joining UHS, McLean served as CEO for Valley Hospital Medical Center / HealthWest Foundation with 213 beds in Spokane Valley, WA;  Alvarado Hospital Medical Center with 410 beds and a long-term care facility in San Diego, CA;  Daniel Freeman Hospitals, Inc, a two-hospital system with 610 beds in Inglewood, CA;  and  Brotman Medical Center, a 438-bed urban, tertiary medical center in the West Los Angeles market area.

"I am excited about the future for Putnam Community Medical Center," said McLean.  "My primary focus will be to provide the leadership, support and resources necessary to build upon the strong foundation that already exists.  I look forward to working with physicians, hospital staff and members of the community."

McLean earned his bachelor's degree in mathematics from the United States Air Force Academy and a master's degree in health care administration from University of Houston.

He has served in numerous leadership positions for a variety of community organizations, including the Arthritis Foundation, Easter Seals, American Cancer Society, and local Chambers of Commerce.  Professionally, he has served in leadership positions with the Texas Hospital Association as well as the Board of Governors of the Federation of American Hospitals.

McLean has received a number of prestigious awards for his professional and community service, including the American Diabetes Association's Gift of Life Award (2009), American College of Healthcare Executives' Regent's Award (2006),  Texas Hospital Association's Senior Leadership Award (2006), and American Red Cross of the Rio Grande Valley Humanitarian of the Year (2005).

Dan and his wife Cindy have two grown children who are both physicians as well as three grandchildren. Dan enjoys swimming, skiing, aerobics, golf and travel. A Member of the USAFA Swim and Gymnastics Team, McLean twice earned All American honors.