Norton Healthcare CEO Stephen Williams will retire this year

Stephen Williams, the long-time CEO of Norton Healthcare who became the administrator of a Kentucky hospital at the tender age of 22, is retiring at the end of the year, the Louisville, Ky.-based hospital system announced Friday.

Not-for-profit Norton named President Russell Cox, 58, as Williams' successor.

During a 23-year tenure as CEO, Williams, 65, pioneered quality reporting at the now five-hospital system and increased revenue from $269 million to more than $2 billion.

Over that time, Norton also grew its market share in hospital services in Louisville to about 50%, or double the percentage when Williams took the helm. The system handles about 67,500 hospital admissions annually.

“The organization today known as Norton Healthcare enjoyed its greatest period of growth and expansion under Steve's leadership,” said Donald H. Robinson, chairman of the Norton Board of Trustees.

Williams began his career in 1972 as the youngest-ever hospital administrator in Kentucky at age 22 at the state's then smallest hospital in his native Livingston County. He joined Norton in 1977 as an assistant to the executive vice president.

He became vice president of quality in 1986, a professional interest he cultivated throughout his career. With Williams' leadership, Norton was the first recipient of a national award for leadership in health care quality in 1987, and nearly 25 years later, received the National Quality Healthcare Award from the National Quality Forum.

Cox has been Williams' right-hand manager since 2005 when he was named COO. In 2013, his duties were combined into the role of president.

Norton's hospitals, all in Louisville, are Kosair Children's Hospital, Norton Hospital, Norton Audubon Hospital, Norton Women's Hospital and Norton Brownsboro Hospital.

“This will be a seamless transition so the thousands of patients served by Norton Healthcare, our employees, physicians, affiliates and partners can be assured that Norton's focus on its mission, vision and values will continue well into the future,” Robinson said.