Mills confirmed as Community Health CEO-WEB ONLY

James Morey, chairman of the board of the hospital chain, sent a memo to Community staff today, announcing Mills’ selection.

IBJ first reported on Friday that Mills was the choice to replace Bill Corley, who has led Community for the past 25 years. Corley announced last year that he would retire by the end of 2009.

Mills, 48, has been CEO of a for-profit Community subsidiary, Visionary Enterprises Inc., since 1987.

On May 1, Mills will take on the new role of president and CEO-elect. He will become Community’s new CEO when Corley retires “later this year,” Morey wrote in his memo.

“Bryan will work closely with Bill Corley in developing a seamless transition plan that will guide Community in its pursuit of global best practices in health care quality and safety, and will ensure that Community continues to deliver exceptional experiences to patients and families, physicians, and employees,” Morey write.

Morey said Community conducted a national search for Corley’s replacement, using a team of 40 board members, physicians, and administrative leaders to screen and interview candidates.

“The Network Board is confident in Bryan’s abilities to preserve and build upon Community’s strong culture and to lead Community to where we want and need to be tomorrow,” Morey wrote.

Under Mills’ leadership, VEI has grown from 50 employees and $2 million in revenue to 2,200 employees and $150 million in revenue.

Mills came to Community from Ernst & Young to serve as chief financial officer of Community Hospital North, which opened in 1985.

Mills has a good reputation with physicians. Dr. John McGoff, who works as an emergency physician at Community’s North and East hospitals, has known Mills for two decades.

“He’s been known as the go-to guy when there’s conflict with physicians,” said McGoff, who is president of the Indianapolis Medical Society and was on Community’s board of directors until December.