German steps down at Saint Thomas, Beeman fills in

Email | Print By Paige Orr

11-16-2004 10:46 AM — Dr. Deb German has stepped down as president and chief executive of Saint Thomas Hospital, and Saint Thomas Health Services CEO Tom Beeman has assumed that role, effective today.

German started in her role as chief of Saint Thomas Hospital in January 2003, at which time she also began serving as chief academic officer for the larger Saint Thomas Health Services system. According to a Saint Thomas release, German has left her position at the hospital to concentrate on her system-level chief academic officer role.

Beeman previously served as president of the hospital, and after Saint Thomas Health Services was created through the acquisition of Baptist Health System, Beeman served as president and CEO of both Saint Thomas and Baptist hospitals. Bernie Sherry then was named president of Baptist Hospital in July 2003.

Also, Donald Gintzig, who had served as both president and CEO of the system’s Middle Tennessee Medical Center in Murfreesboro and as executive vice president and chief operating officer for the system, now will return to the Murfreesboro hospital to “focus on that hospital’s growth and development initiatives,” according to the company.

“The revised structure announced today eliminated some of the dual roles fulfilled by Saint Thomas Health Services executives allowing for focus on key growth initiatives in the area of clinical research, continuing medical education and expansion,” the company said.