Community Health Systems has officially appointed ex-finance chief Kevin Hammons as its CEO effective immediately, the hospital operator said Wednesday.
Hammons had served as interim chief executive since Oct. 1, after longtime CEO Tim Hingtgen stepped down at the end of September.
Hammons was also added to CHS’ board of directors.
Meanwhile, Jason Johnson, who served as CHS’ interim finance chief after Hammons’ elevation to interim chief executive, was made permanent CFO.
Hammons first joined CHS in 1997, and has helped the hospital operator oversee accounting, regulatory reporting, budgeting, corporate finance and investor relations during his tenure, according to a press release. Hammons first stepped was appointed CFO in January 2020.
Before joining CHS, Hammons worked at professional service firm Ernst & Young, according to his LinkedIn.
Johnson, who began working at CHS in 2012, was previously the company’s chief accounting officer. He’s also served as vice president and corporate controller at CHS.
“Kevin and Jason both have a deep understanding of our company and the healthcare industry, unique perspectives that can accelerate growth and our strategic priorities, and they are both very highly regarded by their colleagues and industry peers,” said Wayne Smith, the chairman of CHS’ board of directors, in a statement.
CHS owns or leases 69 hospitals across the country and operates over 1,000 sites of care. The hospital operator said during its third quarter earnings call that it would continue pursuing divestitures, a long-term goal for the company as it looks to deleverage its balance sheet.
Although CHS’ most recent revenue results were in-line with company expectations, the operator has struggled with sluggish volumes, which have dragged its earnings for multiple quarters.
