OLATHE, KAN. (January 30, 2018) – Frank H. Devocelle, President/CEO, of Olathe Health System, Inc. announced today he will retire effective December 31, 2018. A search for his replacement will begin immediately led by a selection committee of the Olathe Health Board of Directors.
“Frank will leave an extraordinary legacy. His vision and leadership have built a strong, regional health system. The communities we serve are proud to call it their own,” said Jim Hubbard, Chairperson of the Olathe Health System, Inc. Board of Directors. “Our system is poised for a bright future with superb underpinnings of quality patient care. It is a very exciting time at Olathe Health as we grow to meet the needs of our communities.”
The most recent example of the progress under Devocelle’s guidance is the opening of the new Cancer Center. The 25,000-square-foot building was the final phase of the largest expansion in the health system’s history. In addition to the Cancer Center, this major expansion over the past three years on the Olathe Medical Park campus included a new memory care neighborhood at Cedar Lake Village; an expanded Cardiovascular Center highlighting one of the most sophisticated electrophysiology labs in the region; and The Birth Place featuring a Level II neonatal intensive care unit.
“Our commitment to growth is evidenced by the additions of high-tech, patient-centered services; highly-trained, experienced physicians joining our medical staff; and more major developments coming soon,” Hubbard said. “We are focused on finding the right leader to build upon our 65 years of success. We will find a CEO who possesses a vision that will take us beyond our expectations.”
The selection committee will engage an executive search firm to consider internal and external candidates as Devocelle completes his final year with the organization.
Devocelle joined Olathe Community Hospital in 1971. He became President/CEO in 1975 and has served in that role ever since. During his tenure, the healthcare organization grew from the 100-bed Olathe Community Hospital to a regional health system with the largest healthcare campus in the Midwest as its flagship. Olathe Community Hospital consisted of 162 employees and gross revenues of $3.2 million in 1975. Today, Olathe Health has grown to nearly 2,600 employees, more than 60 locations spanning four counties, and annual gross revenues of nearly $1 billion. Devocelle oversees all health system corporations including Olathe Medical Center, Inc., Miami County Medical Center, Inc., and Olathe Health Physicians, Inc. a large physician corporation with 40 locations.
Olathe Health has been consistently recognized for its quality care, financial stability and customer service culture. The organization has all of the gold standards of accreditation along with an A+ Standard & Poor’s bond rating (81 of 5,600 hospitals have achieved this level). It has been the recipient of the Governor’s Award of Excellence (the top employer award in Kansas). Olathe Health was honored in 2017 as one of Ingram’s 2017 Best Companies to Work For (large employer category) and one of the Best Hospitals in Kansas for Nurses by nurse.org. Olathe Health has earned numerous national honors in many specialty areas including American Heart Association and American Stroke Association awards for heart attack and stroke care. Olathe Medical Center is also recognized as a Top 100 Hospital for hip and knee replacement per government quality data.
“Because of Frank’s visionary leadership, we can all take tremendous pride in Olathe Health. We’ve watched it build upon its traditions of excellence to become a world-class provider of health care services,” said Olathe Mayor Michael Copeland. “Frank is one of those rare and special individuals who leaves legacies of service and excellence that inspire and encourage all of us and make us proud to call Olathe home. I can think of very few people whose dedication and achievements have made a more positive and lasting impact on our city.”
Frank has chaired numerous boards during his career. A few of his personal awards include: Lifetime Achievement Award and Distinguished Community Service Award from MidAmerica Nazarene University; Olathe Citizen of the Year; Rotarian of the Year; the Cathedral Builder Award from the City of Olathe; and, Paul Harris Fellow (3). Frank and his wife Molly were also joint recipients of the Commerce Bank Community Service Award.