Maria Parham Medical Center (MPMC) announced today that Bert Beard has been named chief executive officer (CEO) of the hospital, effective August 22, 2016. Beard comes to MPMC from Wilson Medical Center (WMC), a Duke LifePoint Healthcare facility in Wilson, N.C., where he most recently served as chief operating officer (COO) since 2014.
“Bert has done a tremendous job guiding the daily operations at Wilson, and we are so pleased to appoint him to the top leadership post at Maria Parham,” said Jeff Seraphine, president of LifePoint Health’s Eastern Group, which includes Duke LifePoint Healthcare facilities. “His natural leadership skills, proven ability to drive excellence, and deep commitment to delivering high-quality, patient care are exactly what we were looking for to lead the hospital forward. I am confident he will build on the strong foundation that already exists at Maria Parham.”
A highly-skilled administrator and natural leader, Beard managed the daily operations of WMC, a 294-bed acute care facility, and served as primary liaison to physician services. While there, Beard initiated an $81 million hospital renovation project and drove the expansion of the hospital’s interventional cardiology program, which included the recruitment of a top cardiologist to the area. He also led the hospital to achieve Chest Pain Certification from the Society for Cardiovascular Patient Care in April 2016 and has established a plan to lead the hospital toward Primary Stroke Center certification.
Before joining WMC and Duke LifePoint in 2014, Beard served for nearly four years as associate administrator and interim COO at Manatee Memorial Hospital in Bradenton, Fla. Prior to that he served as associate administrator and assistant chief staffing officer at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, Tenn.
Beard received his bachelor’s degree from Furman University in Greenville, S.C., and MBA and MHA from Georgia State University in Atlanta. He has been an active member of the Wilson community, serving on numerous boards and regularly volunteering his time to support various causes.
“This is a strong hospital and a wonderful community,” Beard said. “I am genuinely excited to take on this new role and help build on the excellent work that is already happening at Maria Parham. I also look forward to getting involved in the community and exploring ways that the hospital can continue working to improve the overall health and well-being of our communities.”
Beard plans to reside in the Henderson Market with his wife, Crystal, and three daughters, Kylee (6), Sydney (3) and Emory (2). He replaces Brian Sinotte, who is leaving MPMC to serve as CEO of UP Health System – Marquette, a Duke LifePoint facility in Marquette, Mich.
About Maria Parham Medical Center
Maria Parham Medical Center, a Duke LifePoint hospital, is a regional hospital in Henderson, North Carolina, serving the people of north central North Carolina and Southside Virginia. As a part of Duke LifePoint Healthcare, Maria Parham is supported by Duke University Health System’s world-renowned leadership in clinical excellence and quality care and LifePoint Health’s extensive resources, knowledge and experience in operating community hospitals. Fully accredited by The Joint Commission, Maria Parham offers a wide range of services and the latest technology to meet the healthcare needs of the community. For more information about Maria Parham Medical Center, please call (252) 438-4143 or visit www.mariaparham.com.
About Duke LifePoint Healthcare
Duke LifePoint Healthcare, a joint venture of Duke University Health System, Inc. and LifePoint Health (NASDAQ: LPNT), was established to build a dynamic network of hospitals and healthcare providers. The joint venture, which brings together LifePoint’s experience in community-based hospital management and Duke’s world-renowned leadership in patient safety and clinical quality systems, is strengthening and improving healthcare delivery by providing community hospitals the clinical, quality and operational resources they need to grow and prosper.