DCH Health System COO Paul Betz To Resign In July

TUSCALOOSA, AL — DCH Health System Chief Operating Officer and Administrator Paul Betz has handed in his resignation after roughly four years in the position, Patch confirmed on Wednesday.

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Betz has served in the role since February 2018, after coming to DCH Health System from Maury Regional Health in Columbia, Tennessee.

In a memo to hospital staff obtained by Patch on Wednesday, DCH Health System CEO Bryan Kindred said Betz's resignation would be effective July 29.

"After much consideration, Paul has made this decision in order to pursue other career opportunities," Kindred said, before referring to Betz as a "driving force" for change within the hospital system. "He was instrumental in guiding us through a ransomware attack, an electronic medical record update and responding to COVID-19 ... Additionally, he provided the direction and leadership for implementing an intensivist program and new hospitalist program."

While it remains unclear what's next for Betz, the resignation happens to coincide with a period of administrative turbulence within the healthcare system's leadership.

DCH Health System Vice President of Marketing and Communications Andy North told Patch that a replacement has yet to be identified.

"During the transition a search will begin but the final selection will be made in coordination with the new incoming CEO, Katrina Keefer," North said.

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Indeed, the news comes after DCH Health System announced in April that Kindred, its longtime CEO, will retire on July 31 after nearly four decades with the Tuscaloosa-based healthcare provider.

Kindred's replacement, Katrina Keefer, has already been announced and is currently the CEO of Augusta University Health and executive vice president of health affairs at Augusta University in Georgia.

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