THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 26, 1994 TAG: 9408260576
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: D1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DIANE TENNANT, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines
A South Carolina man with experience in managed health care has been named president and chief executive officer of Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters and its parent company.
Robert I. Bonar Jr., 42, fills the CEO post, which has been vacant since the abrupt departure last January of Stephen S. Perry Jr. When Bonar begins work on Oct. 3, he will take control of a specialty hospital in the midst of moving into a new $72 million building.
The announcement was expected Wednesday, but was delayed until the hospital's 1,800 employees had been notified. Perry's sudden departure, which was shrouded in secrecy, caused a flurry of rumor and speculation among employees and the medical community, which the hospital was eager to avoid this time.
Bonar has been with the Medical University of South Carolina Medical Center in Charleston for the past three years, most recently as administrator of integrated services. He was responsible for managed care across the entire 580-bed medical center. He also has been administrator of the 132-bed Children's Hospital and outpatientclinics at the center.
``With the dramatic changes in health care delivery systems, we looked for a professional with vast experience in forming partnerships and networking with medical providers to take our organization into the next century,'' A.C. Miller, chairman of Children's Health System Inc.'s board of directors, said in a prepared statement. Children's Health System is the parent of Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters.
Bonar will oversee operations and strategic direction of Children's Health System, the hospital and Children's Health Foundation, which funds education, research and new programs. Barbara Biehner will remain chief operating officer of the hospital.
During the eight months that the president's post was vacant, the hospital was operated by a senior management team comprising Biehner; Raymond Adelman, physician-in-chief; Rick Knox, chief financial officer; and Beth Duke, senior vice president for development and community relations.
That team oversaw the final stages of construction on the eight-story building that will house all inpatients. The new building was dedicated Aug. 12, but patients will not begin moving into the 186-bed facility until mid-September.
``Children's Health System and, specifically, Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters has an exceptional reputation among all children's hospitals in the nation as a provider of outstanding health care services,'' Bonar said in a news release. ``I cannot think of a more exciting time to join an organization like Children's Health System than right now.''
Bonar is from Morgantown, W.Va. He holds a master of science in hospital and health care administration from The University of Oklahoma and a master of arts in education administration from West Virginia University. He has been a teacher, mobile intensive care paramedic and chief flight paramedic. He is married and has two children.
Perry took a sudden leave of absence last January. A week later, he announced that he would resign to start an international pediatric training concern. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
ROBERT I. BONAR JR.
He has been with the Medical University of South Carolina Medical
Center in Charleston for the past three years, most recently as
administrator of integrated services. He was responsible for managed
care across the entire 580-bed medical center. He also has been
administrator of the 132-bed Children's Hospital and outpatient
clinics at the center.
by CNB