Mission Hospital CEO Chad Patrick is leaving the company and will be replaced by President of HCA Healthcare's North Carolina Division Greg Lowe, the company announced Monday.
"Mission Hospital CEO Chad Patrick has recently accepted an opportunity to return to lead HCA Florida’s Orange Park Hospital as CEO," Nancy Lindell, spokesperson for Mission Health, said in a statement.
The move, first reported by the Asheville Watchdog, comes as HCA faces legal action, a potential nurses strike and continued staffing issues.
State Attorney General and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Stein filed suit against the health care giant in late 2023, alleging non-compliance with the terms of the sale of Mission to HCA.
In June, HCA took remedial action to remove the hospital from "immediate jeopardy" status with the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare.
Earlier this month, Mission nurses voted to authorize their bargaining team to strike if negotiations on a new contract do not move forward in a way that is acceptable to the nursing staff.
Incoming CEO Lowe will assume the top role at Mission in addition to his overall system responsibilities, according to the statement.
"This change will streamline administrative structure to better support Mission Hospital and facilitate more direct communication between leadership, medical staff and colleagues," the statement read.
Prior to managing HCA's North Carolina division, Lowe served as CEO of another HCA facility, Chippenham and Johnston-Willis (CJW) hospitals in Richmond, Va.
“I can think of no higher honor than leading Mission Hospital into its next chapter. I look forward to serving alongside each and every one of you inside Mission Hospital, across all Mission Health, and within our community," Lowe said in a statement. "My commitment is to listen, act, and ensure that Mission Health remains a leader in patient outcomes, a preferred employer, and the region's top choice for advanced healthcare,”
This "restructuring" will be significant in responding to feedback and providing access to the "vast resources and support of HCA Healthcare," according to the statement.
