Alan L. Brechbill, currently executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals based in Philadelphia, is the new executive director for Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Harold L. Paz, senior vice president for health affairs, dean of Penn State College of Medicine and chief executive officer for the Medical Center, made the announcement today (Sept. 14).
As executive director, Brechbill will oversee day-to-day operations and have budgetary responsibility for the 479-bed Medical Center and its 13 clinical practice sites, which together employ approximately 6,700 full-time and part-time employees.
Brechbill will replace A. Craig Hillemeier, who has served as interim executive director since David S. Hefner left the Medical Center in March. Hillemeier will remain with the Medical Center as chair of the Department of Pediatrics and medical director of Penn State Children's Hospital, roles he has held since October 2001.
"Alan has distinguished himself as an innovative health-care leader. He is respected nationally by his peers for his commitment to excellent patient care and service to community as well as his outstanding business acumen," said Paz. "Alan is energized about our vision to meet the ever-growing needs of patients in our region. His leadership and expertise will be a critical factor in helping further develop and successfully achieve our goals to establish a cancer center, free-standing children's hospital and expand critical patient-care services."
In his current role with Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals, Brechbill is administratively responsible for the operations of its 635-bed academic medical center based in Center City Philadelphia, the Methodist Hospital Division and the Jefferson Hospital for Neuroscience. The hospitals have a combined operating budget of $1 billion with approximately 6,300 full-time employees.
Brechbill received his bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Colorado and his master of health care administration degree from George Washington University. He earned a master of business administration in finance from Loyola University of Chicago. He is an active member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and the Greater Philadelphia Health Assembly. Brechbill also serves on the boards of the Life Science Career Alliance and Communities in the Schools.
"Penn State Hershey Medical Center, along with Penn State College of Medicine, has a distinguished history in medical education, biomedical discovery and superior patient care. I believe we possess tremendous potential to meet the health-care challenges of the communities we serve with innovation, compassion and excellence. I am eager to begin working closely with our many dedicated employees, physicians, nurses, managers, faculty, researchers and volunteers to enhance our delivery of patient-focused care, translational research capabilities and the education of future health professionals."
Brechbill begins his duties with Penn State Hershey Medical Center on Dec. 4.