In Mid-April, Ken Mattison, then the CEO at Florida Hospital Waterman in Tavares, made it known that he was resigning. In Tavares, anyway: he’d been the CEO at that hospital for 16 years. He’d taken it over when it was a 183-bed hospital. It’s now a 269-bed hospital, with 1,500 employees. Mattison, 60, was applying for a different position in the Adventist Health System, the 44 non-profit hospital network with campuses in 12 states.
On Monday, Adventist announced that Mattison would be the new CEO at Adventist’s Florida Hospital Flagler, replacing David Ottati, who’d done there what Mattison had done in Tavares. The two CEOs are switching places: Otatti is taking over the hospital in Tavares. Ottati’s departure was announced less than two weeks ago, when Ottati himself dropped a hint that, beside a likely swift succession,. Adventist had ways of filling in top positions with candidates in the wings.
“Ken and David have served at their facilities for a significant time period,” said Don Jernigan, President and CEO of Adventist Health System, in a news release. “It is a blessing that the leadership needs of the hospitals, as well as the personal goals of these leaders, were aligned in order for this opportunity to occur.”
The two men will assume their new responsibilities on June 10.
In their respective 2011 tax filings, Florida Hospital Waterman listed 1,879 employees (and 248 volunteers), to Florida Hospital Flagler‘s 1,017 (and 332 volunteers). Waterman’s revenue totaled $205 million. Flagler had revenue of $156 million. Each hospital is its respective county’s largest private employer and a significant force in the local economy: Florida Hospital Flagler had a payroll of $61 million in 2011 (compared to Waterman’s $85.3 million).
Both hospitals showed healthy profits, though Florida Hospital Flagler’s were significantly higher than Waterman’s despite the size difference between the two hospitals: Flagler showed $25.2 million in profits in its 2011 filing, to $20.4 million. Mattison’s compensation was listed at $644,618, Otatti’s at $492,387.
Under Mattison, the hospital in Tavares expanded with open-heart surgery and cancer centers, as well as nutrition and fitness centers that reflected the institution’s holistic approach to health care.
“Ken’s humility and openness, years of stability at Waterman, and demonstrated positive operational performance all speak in support of Ken being the right leader for Florida Hospital Flagler,” Daryl Tol, President and CEO of the Florida Hospital Volusia-Flagler Market, which includes Memorial Hospital in Ormond Beach, said. “In addition, he is passionate about community involvement and focuses on fostering relationships that will be of immense value in Flagler County.”
In many ways, Ottati and Mattison have had parallel trajectories in the Adventist system (if not beyond it), though Ottati, 40, is part of the organization’s new generation. Both men were U.S.-born (Ottati in Michighan, Mattison in Texas) with Latin American backgrounds: Mattison was raised there, Ottati was raised by an Ecuadorian father and Argentinean mother, himself growing up for many years in Texas. Mattison’s parents were missionaries. Ottati’s father is a pastor. Both are fluent in Spanish.
Prior to joining Waterman, Mattison served as President and CEO of Jellico Community Hospital in northeast Tennessee (from 1991-1997). He’s also held chief operating officer and chief financial officer positions at two other hospitals.
Along with his wife of 40 years, Sharon, Mattison has two adult sons and two grandchildren. He “enjoys antique automobile restoration, photography and spoiling his grandchildren,” the release announcing his appointment notes.
“I am excited and eager to join Florida Hospital Flagler and believe this is a calling to continue to honor God through my leadership in whatever way He leads,” Mattison said.
At the Flagler County Commission meeting Monday evening, Commissioner Charlie Ericksen recommended that the commission draft a resolution recognizing Ottati’s service locally.
tulip says
Hopefully this new CEO will change the quality of in- patient care, ER room care and some medical personnel for the better.