Essent Healthcare Appoints Chief Executive Officer for Its Texas Hospital

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Essent Healthcare, Inc. has named Bill Porter as chief executive officer of Paris Regional Medical Center (PRMC) in Paris, TX, officials announced today. Porter had served as the hospital’s chief operating officer since January and had been named interim CEO to succeed current CEO Chris Dux after he announced his resignation in August. Porter assumed his new permanent role on October 1, 2010.

“Over the past nine months, it has been a pleasure to work with the employees, physicians and board of Paris Regional Medical Center”

“We believe Bill Porter is a good fit for the hospital and for the community,” says Steve Wylie, executive vice president and chief operations officer for Essent Healthcare. “Since his arrival, Bill has made an immediate impact at PRMC. His experience, knowledge and enthusiasm are just what we need to move forward.”

With more than 16 years of hospital administrative experience, Porter most recently served as chief executive officer for Odessa Regional Medical Center in Odessa, TX and for Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital in Tempe, AZ. Prior to that, he served as assistant administrator and chief operating officer for Sid Peterson Memorial Hospital in Kerrville, TX for nearly eight years. He was also CEO of Southwest Medical Center in Liberal, KS. Earlier in his career, he was chief executive officer for two U.S. Army healthcare facilities in Fort Leonard Wood, MO and Vicenza, Italy.

A graduate of Arkansas State University with an undergraduate degree in medical technology, Porter also holds master’s degrees in both public administration from Western Kentucky University and in health care administration from Baylor University.

“Over the past nine months, it has been a pleasure to work with the employees, physicians and board of Paris Regional Medical Center,” said Porter. “I am honored to have been selected as CEO and look forward to carrying on the hospital’s strong tradition as a trusted provider of care in the community.”

Porter takes the reins during an exciting time in the life of PRMC. The hospital is in the midst of a multi-phase project to migrate all acute care services to the North Campus, a project that will include major new construction and extensive renovation.

“It is a privilege to be involved in shaping this major event in the life of our community hospital,” said Porter.

About Essent Healthcare

Essent Healthcare was founded in 1999 with the mission of acquiring community hospitals and providing them with the financial resources and the expertise they need to grow. Essent hospitals include Merrimack Valley Hospital in Haverhill, Mass., Sharon Hospital in Sharon, Conn., Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer, Mass., Southwest Regional Medical Center in Waynesburg, Pa., and Paris Regional Medical Center in Paris, Texas.