Jim Wilson, the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Lakewood Ranch, wants to share a little-known secret: You don't have to drive past the hospital to get the level of medical care available at larger facilities in major cities.

"We have strong cardiology and emergency services," Wilson says. "But many people don't realize that."

One of Wilson's goals as CEO is to increase public awareness of LWRMC programs and services. Cardiac specialists, for example, can perform both emergency and elective angioplasty procedures at our Level 1 Cardiovascular Services catheterization laboratory. The hospital has made several other notable achievements:

• Our performance on core measures -- national standards used to evaluate the quality of care at hospitals across the country -- exceeds national, state and local recommendations.
• We are a primary stroke center recognized under the Get With the Guidelines- Stroke Program.
• We've recently opened two new primary care practices in the community to offer more access to healthcare services.
• We were named one of the top 100 places to work in healthcare by Modern Healthcare magazine.
• Patients are very satisfied with the doctors and employees at the hospital, independent surveys show.

Seasoned Hospital Veteran Returns Home
Jim Wilson has more than 15 years of senior-level experience in the healthcare industry. He most recently served as CEO of Central Montgomery Medical Center in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, another Universal Health Services, Inc. facility. During his tenure there, he improved patient safety, physician satisfaction and employee satisfaction.

This move is a return to Florida for Wilson -- he previously worked for the East Florida Division of HCA (Hospital Corporation of America). Wilson also has served in various leadership roles in the financial divisions of two other hospitals as well as in their corporate offices.

Wilson has a bachelor's degree in accounting from Creighton University and a master's degree in health administration from Regis University. His wife, Moira, and his two children, Alexis and Brandon, have joined him in Bradenton.

Linda Widra served as interim CEO during the six-month search process. During that time, the hospital continued to show positive momentum in overall operations. She continues in her role as Chief Operating Officer.

8330 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202