Jim Kendrick named new CEO at CHC

Who: Jim Kendrick, 46

New role: CEO of Plano, Texas-based Community Hospital Corp. He succeeds Mike Williams, who is retiring after 20 years at the helm. CHC is a not-for-profit that owns, manages and consults with about 25 hospitals, mostly in rural areas. It helps struggling community hospitals retain their not-for-profit status. "CHC has always had an amazing reputation helping smaller communities maintain services in a complex, dynamic market. It's harder and harder for independent hospitals to survive," Kendrick said.Background: Kendrick was previously CEO of AllianceHealth in Oklahoma, a 10-hospital network and affiliate of Community Health Systems. He managed the hospitals, more than 70 affiliated medical practices and six home health agencies.Sharing​ expertise: Kendrick said he will work to advance CHC's mission of strengthening community hospitals. CHC also has a group purchasing organization that helps small systems get discounts on their supply-chain spending. "One of the strengths of CHC is its wide spectrum of expertise to help community hospitals in a changing market," Kendrick said.