Louisiana native named new CEO of GCMC

Louisiana native Randy Slack has been named chief executive officer of Gulf Coast Medical Center and will take the post on April 15, officials with Signature Hospital Corporation announced Wednesday.

Slack brings 18 years of health care leadership experience to the Wharton position. For the past five years he has served as chief financial officer of Mission Regional Medical Center, a 289-bed facility in the Mission/McAllen area of Texas.

He replaces outgoing CEO Donnie Frederic, who has accepted a job to operate a different hospital.

He has also worked in financial and administrative leadership positions with other investor-owned hospitals, as well as in the former corporate office of Champion Healthcare in Houston.

He recognizes that Gulf Coast is faced with the same challenges that many other hospitals are experiencing, especially those in smaller communities near larger cities.

One of the most difficult challenges is attracting and keeping good clinical and professional talent with so many competitors nearby. "I am very much looking forward to working with the physicians and employees at Gulf Coast Medical Center.

"Based on my discussions with people in Wharton, there is tremendous opportunity for the hospital to serve this community and the surrounding area well. I believe the key will be to work collaboratively and cooperatively with the hospital employees and medical staff to produce quality outcomes, prevent medical errors and demonstrate value to patients and their families."

Slack is a graduate of Louisiana State University. He is also a certified public accountant.

Gulf Coast Medical Center is a 161-bed acute care facility. The hospital is accredited by The Joint Commission.

In partnership with more than 75 area physicians, the hospital provides a full range of medical services to meet the healthcare needs of the community. Gulf Coast is an affiliate hospital of Signature Hospital Corporation. Signature presently owns and operates four hospitals: Pampa Regional Medical Center, Gulf Coast Medical Center and Medical Park Hospital in Hope, Ark., and St. Joseph's Hospital in Parkersburg, W.V.