Porter hospital has announced that Jonathan Nalli has been named the chief executive officer, after serving as interim CEO since the county hospital came under new ownership.

All other hospital vice-presidents have stayed on in the transition, except for one: Chris Rael, who had been the hospital’s chief operating officer under former CEO Ron Winger. Hospital Vice-president of Marketing & Media Relations Deb Butterfield said Bill Cummins, who previously was vice-president and chief administrative officer, has been moved into Rael’s post.

The Porter Board of Trustees named Nalli to the top hospital position on Thursday, according to a statement issued by the hospital.

“The members of the Porter Board of Trustees are excited that Jonathan Nalli has accepted the position and delighted to work with him going forward,” said Dr. Sudhakar Garlapati, chairman of the board. “He has demonstrated leadership and energy and has provided strong direction for these last five months. We are confident that we will continue our strong movement forward.”

Nalli replaced Winger as CEO after Porter County officials sold the county hospital to Community Health Systems of Tennessee in May. Nalli came to Porter County from Philadelphia, where he was chief operating officer at the Chestnut Hill Health System.

“This is a thrilling time in my life and a thrilling opportunity,” Nalli said. “After being here for five months and working with the physicians and associates, it became clear that this is a health system poised for great things and I am honored to be a part of this exciting future.”

Nalli recently announced that Porter hospital has an option to purchase 105 acres at U.S. 6 and Ind. 49 in Liberty Township for its new, 225-bed hospital featuring all private rooms.

The hospital’s press release said that a number of candidates had been identified for the CEO post and several were interviewed.

Dr. Jac Cooper, president of the medical staff, said naming Nalli to the post was a sound decision.

“He has demonstrated the skill set we need in a CEO to take us through the process of the new facility for Porter County; he has good relationships with the physicians and strong support from the associates,” Cooper said.

Prior to his work at Chestnut Hill, Nalli worked as chief operating officer at Pottstown Memorial Medical Center in Pottstown, Penn. He is originally from Lexington, Kentucky and has a degree in health administration from the University of Kentucky and earned his MBA from Drexel University in Philadelphia. Nalli and his fiancée, Cathleen, will be married in November.

Posted 9/28/2007