Carolinas HealthCare System Appoints Eugene A Woods

Woods is Chair-Elect of the American Hospital Association

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 11, 2016 – The Board of Commissioners of Carolinas HealthCare System today unanimously approved the appointment of Eugene A. Woods as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective April 28. Mr. Woods, 51, currently is President and Chief Operating Officer of CHRISTUS Health, based in Irving, Texas. He succeeds Michael C. Tarwater, CEO since 2002. Mr. Tarwater announced his retirement in June of 2015 and will remain with Carolinas HealthCare System until June 30, 2016, to ensure a seamless transition.

Mr. Woods brings to Carolinas HealthCare System 24 years of healthcare leadership experience. He was recently elected the next chairman of the American Hospital Association and will assume that role in 2017.

At CHRISTUS Health, which has more than 50 hospitals and long-term care facilities, 175 clinics and outpatient centers, and 30,000 associates, Mr. Woods, who is fluent in Spanish, has been responsible for overseeing acute, post-acute and international operations for its facilities in the United States, Mexico and Chile.

Prior to that, Mr. Woods served in dual roles at Catholic Health Initiatives – as CEO of the eight-hospital Saint Joseph Health System and as Senior Vice President responsible for helping implement national initiatives for the organization, which operates in 18 states. He also previously served as COO of the Washington Hospital Center, a 968-bed teaching hospital in Washington, D.C.  

“Gene is a proven leader with extraordinary experience,” said Edward J. Brown III, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners. “We know that he is the right person to lead Carolinas HealthCare System as we continue our journey as one of the leading healthcare systems in the nation, providing incredible care to all of the communities we serve.”

Mr. Woods will assume the responsibilities of President and CEO at a remarkable time in the history of Carolinas HealthCare System, thanks to the leadership of Michael Tarwater and all system teammates.

“I am honored to be joining Carolinas HealthCare System,” said Mr. Woods. “This is one of the most comprehensive and highly integrated healthcare systems in the nation, combining extraordinary care with an unwavering commitment to the region. Carolinas HealthCare System has a tremendous track record and is well-positioned to be in the forefront of the transformation of healthcare in America.”

Carolinas HealthCare System and its more than 60,000 full-time and part-time employees provide care through more than 11.5 million patient encounters per year through an integrated network consisting of more than 900 care locations in North and South Carolina, including 39 hospitals and more than 200 primary care locations. It has been recognized for providing access to coordinated, high-quality care on a large scale through nationally renowned clinical quality and IT programs.

Carolinas HealthCare System has also focused on programs that provide treatment and promote health in response to identified community needs such as diabetes risk, childhood obesity and behavioral health. The programs have served tens of thousands of people, helping to improve their health while reducing the overall cost of care. In 2015, Carolinas HealthCare System contributed more than $1.6 billion in community benefit—which included providing financial assistance to the uninsured and underinsured, uncompensated medical services, education, research and volunteer service by its employees, as well as increased focus on programs that provide treatment and promote health in response to identified community needs such as diabetes risk and childhood obesity.

“The Board of Commissioners is extremely grateful to Michael Tarwater for his outstanding contribution of more than 35 years at Carolinas HealthCare System,” Mr. Brown said. “During his tenure as CEO, he has led this organization to remarkable success in providing extraordinary care, and he has overseen the establishment of landmark clinical services, including Levine Children’s Hospital and Levine Cancer Institute. There will be more occasions in the future to thank him and recognize his extraordinary service.”

To oversee the CEO search process, the Board of Commissioners appointed a Search Committee chaired by Albert L. McAulay, Jr. The Committee retained Witt/Kieffer, a renowned leader in healthcare executive search. The Board of Commissioners is grateful to the Search Committee for its leadership and wisdom throughout the process.

About Carolinas HealthCare System

Carolinas HealthCare System (www.carolinashealthcare.org), one of the nation’s leading healthcare organizations, provides a full spectrum of healthcare and wellness services and programs throughout North and South Carolina. Its diverse network includes academic medical centers, hospitals, freestanding emergency departments, physician practices, surgical and rehabilitation centers, home health agencies, nursing homes and behavioral health centers, as well as hospice and palliative care services. With more than 60,000 employees, 900 care locations and 11.5 million patient encounters annually, the System drives quality and value by integrating primary care – delivered in a variety of easily accessible settings – with world-class specialty services. In 2015, Carolinas HealthCare System provided more than $1.6 billion in community benefit, which includes the combined value of patient financial assistance, medical education, research, preventive health initiatives, and community outreach to address common public health issues such as diabetes and childhood obesity.