Business Council of Alabama board of directors member Owen Bailey has been named Chief Executive Officer of USA Health just a year after being named chief operating officer for USA Health, USA Health announced this week.
Bailey will be the chief executive responsible for the management and operation of the University of South Alabama hospitals and outpatient centers with a goal of providing high quality, cost-effective, innovative health care. In March 2016, he was promoted to his now-former position. Bailey also was named senior associate vice president for medical affairs of the comprehensive academic health care system.
“We congratulate Owen Bailey on his appointment to this important and vital position at this major health center in Alabama and the Gulf Coast and to USA Health management in selecting Owen,” BCA President and CEO William J. Canary said. “As chair of the BCA’s health committee, Owen provides dedicated and forward-thinking service in this supremely important segment of Alabama’s economy.”
University of South Alabama President Tony Waldrop and John V. Marymont, MD, MBA, vice president for medical affairs and dean of the college of medicine in charge of the oversight of USA Health, released a joint statement.
“Owen is an extremely respected, seasoned healthcare veteran with great leadership skills and managerial experience who possesses unquestionable character and integrity,” they said. “As we position USA Health for the future, it became very clear that there is no better person for the job than Owen.”
Bailey said he is proud to take on this new leadership role with the health system.
“It’s an honor to work with this great team,” Bailey said. “I’m proud to be part of a system that provides such unique programs and services. USA Health plays a crucial role in providing health care, research and education to our region.”
Bailey served as administrator of USA Children’s & Women’s Hospital from 2011 to 2016, leading the development and opening of a new children’s tower in 2013. The tower doubled the size of the hospital and expanded USA Children’s & Women’s pediatric and neonatal intensive care units, which are unique in the region.
Prior to joining USA, he led Fairhope’s Thomas Hospital as president and chief executive officer from 1992-2006 before joining Infirmary Health System as an executive vice president from 2006-2011.
A fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, Bailey has served on the boards of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce and the Business Council of Alabama. He is past chairman of the Southwest Council for the Alabama Hospital Association, Mobile Area Education Foundation and the Southwest Alabama Workforce Development Council. He serves on several boards including the Alabama Hospital Association, United Way of Southwest Alabama, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Mobile and the Business Council of Alabama.
Bailey earned a bachelor’s degree in health administration from Auburn University and a master’s degree in health administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He has been active in alumni associations at both schools. He and his wife, Genie, have four children.
USA Health helps people lead longer, better lives through its excellence in education, research and medical care. With more than 3,700 employees, USA Health’s network includes USA Medical Center, USA Children’s & Women’s Hospital, USA Mitchell Cancer Institute, USA Physicians Group and the USA College of Medicine. Each year, a team of 180 physicians, 240 residents and fellows, and more than 1,000 nurses handle some 185,000 clinic visits and 350,000 outpatient procedures. USA Health delivers 2,800 babies a year, more than any other regional hospital, and treats patients through some 60,000 emergency room visits annually.
In addition to advanced and innovative patient care offered at university hospitals and clinics, USA’s medical education programs provide first-class training experiences for the next generation of physicians and scientists. USA Health delivers excellence in care while improving the quality of life for residents across the Gulf Coast.