Jackson Hospital in Montgomery announced on Monday the appointment of a new three-member board of trustees and the selection of John Quinlivan as chief executive officer.

Jackson Hospital said the restructuring was a "pivotal step forward in the hospital's ongoing Chapter 11 bankruptcy and reorganization proceedings." 

The new board, which assumed leadership on October 31, brings "vital healthcare and financial competencies to guide the organization through restructuring, a feasible bankruptcy recovery plan, essential infrastructure repairs, payer contract improvements and operational resets that are vital in positioning Jackson Hospital to serve the healthcare needs of the community for generations to come," according to a news release. 

Charles Evans, chairman of the Board of Trustees, is an internationally recognized leader in hospital management. At HCA Healthcare, he served as president of the Eastern Group, where he oversaw more than 120 hospitals. He then launched International Health Services Group in 2007 to support health services development in underserved areas of the world. Evans is credentialed as a Governance Fellow by the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) and a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), where he also served three years as chairman officer. 

Board member Jeff Crudele has built a career spanning over 30 years and is recognized as one of the most accomplished senior financial executives in the healthcare industry. He recently served as chief financial officer of the Allegheny Health Network, where he orchestrated a significant financial turnaround. 

Board member Gary M. Murphey brings more than 35 years of experience in financial examinations, forensic accounting and managing financially distressed companies, and has served in roles that include CEO, CFO and chief restructuring officer. 

The board's first order of business was the appointment of Quinlivan as chief executive officer of Jackson Hospital, effective Monday. 

"We are fortunate to have someone of John Quinlivan's caliber leading Jackson Hospital through this critical period," said Evans. "His proven track record of revitalizing hospitals and driving operational excellence makes him the ideal leader for this moment in Jackson Hospital's journey. Together with our Board of Trustees' combined experience, we're committed to doing the hard work that this hospital and the community of Montgomery deserve to help stabilize the healthcare institution and pave the path for its long-term success." 

A 20-year veteran of the United States Army Medical Service Corps, followed by 19 years with HCA Healthcare, Quinlivan has previously overseen hospitals in Florida and Georgia. 

His focus as CEO of Jackson Hospital is to return it to a state of efficient operations, and to work with the board to present and implement a restructuring plan to avoid hospital closure, bring it out of bankruptcy, and establish it as a care facility that is healthy and stable, according to a news release.

"Jackson Hospital has been through tremendous challenges, but I've seen what's possible when you combine caring, engaged leadership with dedicated staff to make the changes needed for the health and vitality of critical community facilities like this," Quinlivan said. "The foundation is here. Now we need to bring together the right plan, the right partnerships and relentless execution to ensure Jackson Hospital can continue serving Montgomery and the Alabama River Region." 

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