PHOENIX (April 29, 2008) -- Banner Health today announced the appointment of Gene O’Hara as Chief Executive Officer for Banner Ironwood Medical Center in northern Pinal County.
O’Hara is currently the CEO of North Colorado Medical Center (NCMC) in Greeley, Colorado, managed by Banner Health. Banner Ironwood is currently under construction at Combs and Gantzel Roads in Pinal County and is anticipated to open in late 2009. O’Hara will begin his new job as CEO in the next few weeks.
During O’Hara’s four-year tenure in Colorado, NCMC was recognized for its excellent patient care in receiving both Magnet and Thomson 100 designations, as well as other distinctions. He played a leadership role in the successful completion of the 2nd Century project that resulted in impressive and beautiful new facilities. He also has been active and well-appreciated throughout the Greeley community in representing Banner Health.
“We have a terrific leadership team at Banner Health and have learned that there is a significant benefit to our organization when we ensure that the leadership needs of a facility are closely aligned with the skills of its top leaders,” said Peter Fine, Banner Health President. “Gene’s experience with the expansion project at NCMC will serve him well during the construction of Banner Ironwood Medical Center.”
Prior to joining NCMC, OHara was the Chief Operations Officer for the Providence Health System-Alaska Region and Chief Executive Officer of the Providence Alaska Medical Center, Anchorage, a 364-bed teaching hospital with a medical staff of over 600 physicians.
O'Hara started his career as a pharmacist and Assistant Professor at the Purdue University School of Pharmacy in 1974. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from the University of Montana, and Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of the Pacific, as well as a Masters of Science in Health Administration from the University of Colorado, Denver. He has held a variety of administrative leadership positions with hospitals and health-care organizations in Montana and Alaska in his 30-year career.