Contact: Kent Mattson
Lake Region Healthcare
218 205-1916
Email kmattson@lrhc.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 19, 2017
(FERGUS FALLS, Minn.) – Following a nationwide search, the Lake Region Healthcare (LRH) Board of Trustees has selected Kyle Richards as the organization’s new Chief Executive Officer. Richards will begin with Lake Region Healthcare in June, 2017 and replace Larry Schulz, who will retire at the end of May after nine years of service with the organization.
Richards is an accomplished healthcare executive with nearly 20 years of experience in improving clinical quality and patient satisfaction, fueling operational performance and growth, and successfully facilitating health care integration. He comes to LRH from Regional Health in Rapid City, South Dakota, where he has served as President of their Hills Market and the Regional Health Network since 2015, having previously served as the Chief Operating Officer. Prior to his tenure with Regional Health, Richards served as Chief Executive Officer of Waverly Health Center in Waverly, Iowa, and Chief Executive Officer of Sanford Webster Medical Center and Bethesda Home, Inc., based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
“Kyle is an excellent candidate who rose to the top in a very extensive search process. His leadership and experience will be a great asset to our organization,” said John Erickson, Chair of the LRH Board of Trustees.
As Chief Executive Officer of Lake Region Healthcare, Richards will be responsible for the daily operations and financial performance of Lake Region Healthcare and its affiliated organizations. In collaboration with the Board of Trustees, physician leaders, and the organization's management team, Richards will ensure the continued growth and development of services that fulfill Lake Region Healthcare’s aim to improve the health of people in the community and region, according to Erickson.
“Lake Region Healthcare, and our affiliated organization, Prairie Ridge Hospital and Health Services, together with Lake Region Medical Group share a commitment to remaining a strong and independent community based healthcare organization, and we are confident Kyle will work diligently to further that mission and vision,” Erickson said.
"Lake Region Healthcare has an outstanding reputation for visionary, high-quality care and it is a privilege to partner with such a compassionate and exceptional team of board members, medical staff, and caregivers,” Richards said. "My family and I are thrilled to become a part of this wonderful community,” Richards added.
Richards, a South Dakota native, earned a Masters of Public Administration with an emphasis in Health Services from the University of South Dakota. He is also a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality and a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. Richards and his wife Tammy and their two children will relocate to the Fergus Falls area.
About Lake Region Healthcare
Lake Region Healthcare is living out its vision to be Minnesota's preeminent regional healthcare partner. With over 80 Medical Staff and over 900 employees, its team is dedicated to serving its patients and community with integrity, teamwork, compassion and excellence. Its affiliate, Prairie Ridge Hospital and Health Services, is located in Elbow Lake Minnesota and has campuses in the surrounding communities of Ashby, Evansville, Herman Hoffman and Morris. For more information about Lake Region Healthcare and Prairie Ridge Hospital & Health Services, visit www.lrhc.org and www.prairiehealth.org.
# # #