Holman out as CEO at B.R. General

The chairman of Baton Rouge General’s board of directors today announced the retirement of President and CEO Bill Holman, who led the hospital for more than 12 years. In an email to hospital staff this morning, Dr. Evelyn Hayes, who is board chairman and now interim president and CEO, notes the hospital’s “impressive accomplishments” under Holman’s leadership and thanks him for his “service and dedication.” There was no explanation for why the 66-year-old executive’s retirement was announced so suddenly. But sources tell Daily Report the move came after a more than two-hour, closed-door meeting Monday evening of the hospital’s board. Sources say that after the executive session ended and the regularly scheduled board meeting convened, hospital executives were made aware of Holman’s departure, effective immediately. Board members contacted by Daily Report declined to comment. In her email, Hayes says a national search for a permanent replacement is under way and will include internal candidates. “As a physician member of our hospital community, I sincerely look forward to working with each of you more closely and appreciate your spirit of optimism throughout this transition,” Hayes writes. In a news release issued around 3 p.m. today, the hospital formally confirmed Holman’s retirement; thanking him for his service and quoting him as saying: “I leave Baton Rouge General and General Health System with a great deal of pride in what we have accomplished. We have a board committed to fulfilling our mission, a dedicated medical staff, and employees who are passionate, loyal and very caring.” Among his other awards and distinctions, Holman was named Business Report‘s 2011 Businessperson of the Year. You can find a profile written about him at that time here. —Stephanie Riegel