Methodist Announces Leadership Change

The Methodist Health Care System recently announced that Peter W. Butler stepped down as president and chief executive officer, effective Oct. 1.

A committee of Methodist's board was appointed to oversee a national search to identify a new leader for the institution. Ronald G. Girotto was named acting president and chief executive officer on an interim basis.

Over the past four years, Methodist has continued to be ranked as one of Houston's most preferred hospitals, expanded the number of patients served, and has continued its tradition of excellence in partnership with Baylor College of Medicine.

Under Butler's leadership, Methodist has consistently ranked as one of the best hospitals in America, this year being recognized in six specialties in U.S. News & World Report, and the hospital's focus on "Centers of Excellence" was reflected in recent years with the dedication of the Methodist DeBakey Heart Center and the development of a multi-organ transplant program, making Methodist the only hospital in the region to perform transplants for all solid organs and bone marrow. In addition, a Breast Care Center and a Center for Cell and Gene Therapy were developed jointly by Methodist and Baylor with the recruitment of preeminent teams of specialists in each field.

Also during Butler's tenure, new hospitals in the Sugarland and Willowbrook/ Northwest areas were opened in 1998 and 2000, respectively, and have grown rapidly in those communities.

Butler was appointed to lead the organization in August 1997, previously serving as an executive for hospitals in Michigan and Illinois. He was recruited to implement Methodist's plans, adopted by its board in 1996, to become an integrated delivery and financing system.

Girotto, the acting president and CEO, spent 22 years with The Methodist Health Care System before retiring in December 1999. Prior to retiring, he held the positions of executive vice president, chief operating officer and chief financial officer.

---

©2006 Texas Medical Center

---

E-Mail: tmcinfo@texmedctr.tmc.edu
URL: http://www.tmc.edu/tmcnews/10_15_01/page_04.html