OBH taps new CEO

Published 11:38 am Monday, August 19, 2024

ILWACO — Ocean Beach Hospital and Medical Clinics has its new CEO.

OBH’s Board of Commissioners announced Aug. 19 that Merry-Ann Keane, MSN, RNC, FACHE, has been hired as the public hospital district’s newest superintendent and CEO. Her first day is scheduled for Sept. 16.

“After a thorough search and vetting process, Merry-Ann was our top pick,” said board chair Nancy Gorshe in a statement. “She has excellent healthcare management experience, hands-on medical provider experience, and is an advocate for advancements in rural healthcare.”

Keane succeeds former OBH CEO Scot Attridge, who resigned his position in April due to a health issue. Larry Cohen, who served as the hospital’s CEO for six years before retiring in 2022, has been leading the hospital in an interim role over the past few months.

Keane previously served as CEO at Newport Hospital & Health Services in northeast Washington, as well as at Banner Health Platte County Memorial Hospital in Wheatland, Wyoming, where she held the dual position of CEO and chief medical officer.

“I am honored to join Ocean Beach Hospital and Medical Clinics and look forward to working with the talented and dedicated team here,” said Keane. “Together, we will continue to build on the hospital’s strong foundation and strive to meet the evolving healthcare needs of our community.”

Prior to her stints as CEO, Keane served as chief administrative officer and director of clinical services at PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center in Friday Harbor. Having started her nursing career in British Columbia, she advanced to clinical instructor and nurse educator in maternity, health services manager, nurse manager, and on to administrator and CEO positions.

Keane earned her Master of Science in Nursing Leadership from the University of British Columbia; a Neonatal Nursing Specialty Certification, a Perinatal Nursing Specialty Certification, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the British Columbia Institute of Technology; and a Diploma of Nursing from Mount Royal College.

All told, Keane has logged 32 years in the healthcare industry. Additionally, she is the incoming chair of the Washington State Hospital Association’s Rural Hospital Committee, chair of the association’s rural hospital OB subcommittee, and is a board member of both The Rural Health Enterprise and The Rural Collaborative, of which OBH is a founding and current member.

“We are thrilled to have a proven leader of Merry-Ann’s stature assume this executive position,” Gorshe said.

As CEO, Keane will focus on enhancing patient care services, expanding community health initiatives and driving forward the hospital district’s strategic goals, according to an OBH news release announcing her hiring. She will also be tasked with driving “important and necessary facility expansions and improvements,” which include the capital projects funded by the $10 million bond initiative that voters approved in 2023.

“Merry-Ann is eager to join OBHMC and is committed to making it a great place for staff to work and for patients to receive high-quality care,” said Cohen. “Please join me in welcoming her!”

The Observer expects to have additional coverage of Keane’s arrival at OBH as her start date approaches.