Quick Leonard Kieffer Lands President for North Carolina Hospital Association

June 6, 2017 – Healthcare is among the most rapidly growing employment fields, according to analysts at Hunt Scanlon Media, which tracks trends in the executive search and leadership solutions space. So it is that the need for recruiting firms to deliver top-drawer leaders throughout the sector has only grown.
Recently, executive recruiters Quick Leonard Kieffer placed Stephen J. Lawler as president of the North Carolina Hospital Association, effective July 1. The firm’s partner Jake Barto and principal Mike Quick led the search.
A veteran health system administrator, Mr. Lawler is currently senior vice president of the regional group for Carolinas HealthCare System. Prior to joining CHS, he served in numerous leadership roles over 20 years at Vidant Health, including seven years as president of Vidant Medical Center.
A North Carolina native, Mr. Lawler served as a medical corps service officer in the Army before joining Vidant Health. He was appointed to the State Health Coordinating Council in 2014, is on the board of the Pitt County Chamber of Commerce and has served on local and regional charitable boards throughout his career. He has been an adjunct faculty member at East Carolina University and a guest lecturer at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health and the Medical University of South Carolina.
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Understanding Healthcare Challenges
“Steve Lawler brings a keen understanding of the challenges facing healthcare providers today and a strong commitment to ensuring a unified voice for our industry and our partners at the state and national levels,” said Dr. John McConnell, CEO emeritus of Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and chair of the NCHA board of trustees. “We look forward to his leadership as NCHA and its members evolve to meet the changing needs of our patients, our communities and our employees.”
Mr. Lawler spoke of all he has learned on the journey that led him to his latest position. “My career has taken me from the smallest hospital to the largest health system in North Carolina and I am grateful for the many people who have educated me along the way, from the board room to the bedside and every point in between. I plan to bring those lessons to my new role.”
The North Carolina Hospital Association, created in 1918, represents more than 130 hospitals providing acute, rehabilitative, behavioral and psychiatric care, as well as veterans’ services, promoting improved delivery of quality and affordable healthcare in North Carolina through leadership, advocacy, information and education.
Tapping Leaders for Healthcare Companies
Quick Leonard Kieffer specializes in the placement of executive level employees across the healthcare industry. The firm was established in 1999 by Roger Quick and Michael C. Kieffer. Although the healthcare sector is among the most rapidly growing employment fields, the firm said, the industry is in the midst of a turbulent transformation. This makes the need for proven and experienced boards and executive teams with vision and broadening skills more important than ever.
Mr. Barto, who joined Quick Leonard Kieffer last summer, has executed numerous senior level search assignments, assisting healthcare systems recruit chief executive officers as well as operational, financial, and clinical leaders. Among his clients: Trinity Health, Sanford Health, McLaren Health Care, and national and state associations, including ACHE and The Alabama Hospital Association. His career in executive search began with Miller Resource Group in the Chicago suburbs, where he specialized in medical device, pharmaceutical, and healthcare assignments.
Mr. Quick works alongside the firm’s partners, principals and associates in conducting a variety of senior level healthcare searches for community hospitals, medical groups and large health systems. He has a strong familiarity with the facets and dynamics that comprise the healthcare market.
Healthcare Recruiting
Few sectors of the global economy are as critical to domestic output, national stability and human performance as the healthcare industry. Here’s a look at some recent search activity at healthcare companies from the Hunt Scanlon Media archives:
Wheless Partners Lands CEO for Fulcrum Health
Wheless Partners recently placed Patricia Dennis as chief executive officer of Fulcrum Health. She succeeds Tabatha Erck, the company’s CEO of eight years. Ms. Dennis most recently served as senior vice president for health and care engagement at HealthPartners.
Furst Group Lands CEO for Care Dimensions
Furst Group recruited Patricia Ahern as CEO of Care Dimensions. Most recently, Ms. Ahern was CEO of the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care in Buffalo. Care Dimensions, founded in 1978 as Hospice of the North Shore, was one of the nation’s first hospice providers.
Tuft & Associates Leading CEO Search for Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation
OREF has retained Tuft & Associates to lead its search for a new CEO. Executive search associate Carole Z. Badger is leading the assignment. OREF raises funds to support research aimed at building a scientific base for orthopedic practice.
Slone Partners Fills CEO Roles for Healthcare Organizations
Slone Partners recently placed Mark Harvill and Daniel Brazell CEOs at Avomeen Analytical Services and La Peer Health Systems, respectively. Previously, Mr. Harvill served as COO at Clinipace Worldwide. Mr. Brazell previously served as senior director at Surgical Care Affiliates/DISC Sports and Spine.
Russell Reynolds Associates Tapped to Find Center for Human Drug Research CEO
RRA’s global healthcare practice leader, Jacques Bouwens is leading the assignment. CHDR is a privately held research organization that provides a full range of early stage clinical pharmacology services.
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor; and Chase Barbe, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media