Commitment To Care

Ocala Health’s new CEO is raring to go.

› By Cealia Athanason

Two months ago, on June 1, Chad Christianson began his new position as CEO of Ocala Health. More than 10 years of experience in health care—including leadership roles within the Hospital Corporation of America—has made him more than prepared for the task.

“The Ocala community leadership and teams at both Ocala Regional Medical Center and West Marion Community Hospital have been very welcoming,” he says. “There is a commitment to high quality, compassionate care and a sense of pride in the work they do for this community, and I’m excited to be a part of it.”

Christianson now oversees both hospitals, along with outpatient imaging services, primary care and specialty physician practices, a

“The big difference you see from one facility or community to the next is that while the services may be the same or similar, the culture of each hospital and the needs of the community will be different,” he says. “That’s what I am most focused on right now.”

Randy McVay, the former CEO of Ocala Health, announced his retirement in March in order to spend more time with family and work on personal projects. Besides his hospital work, he’s known for his his charitable endeavors and and overall support of this community.

Christianson also

“Randy McVay and the team at Ocala Health have done an incredible job of positioning us for the future, so the luxury I have is that it’s not about fixing something,” he says. “The foundation is here, and we’ll continue to build on that.”

Christianson is committed to putting patients’ needs front and center and providing the most comprehensive care. He’s looking forward to the enhanced emergency services that will be available to the community once the freestanding emergency room opens in October and also to breaking ground on an expansion at West Marion that will allow for 44 more inpatient beds, nine emergency room beds and two operating rooms.

Christianson and his wife, both UF graduates, grew up in North Central Florida and have welcomed this opportunity to come home again.

Find out more › ocalahealthsystem.com