Baptist Health System names COO, new Princeton head

Keith Parrott has been promoted to the newly created position of executive vice president and chief operating officer of Baptist Health System (BHS), according to Shane Spees, BHS president and chief executive officer. Additionally, Betsy Postlethwait will succeed Parrott as president of Princeton Baptist Medical Center. Both Parrott and Postlethwait will assume their new roles Jan. 1.

Parrott will be responsible for overseeing and administering the daily operations of BHS’ four hospitals, two free-standing surgery centers, two free-standing imaging centers, other patient care operations including home health (in Talladega) and home infusion services. Additionally, he will lead the BHS’ business development and marketing functions.

“Keith has done a tremendous job at Princeton and in providing leadership for Walker and Citizens Baptist Medical Centers,” Spees said.

Parrott joined BHS in 2008 as president of Princeton Baptist. During his tenure in that role, Princeton launched a $57 million expansion and renovation of the hospital. In 2009, he also assumed oversight of Walker and Citizens Baptist Medical Centers resulting in both hospitals realizing significant performance improvements.

Prior to joining BHS, Parrott was chief executive officer of Memorial Hermann Northwest Hospital in Houston, Texas. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Baylor University in Waco, Texas, and a master’s in health care administration from the University of Houston-Clear Lake.

Postlethwait joined Princeton Baptist in 2004 as chief operating officer, Spees said. “Betsy has served Princeton well during her tenure as the hospital’s chief operating officer and as interim president in 2007. Her continued presence at Princeton as president will keep the expansion project on course and will ensure that Princeton continues as a market leader,” Spees said.

Postlethwait earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C. She previously served as chief operating officer/chief financial officer of CHRISTUS St. John Hospital in Nassau Bay, Texas, and has held various health care leadership posts throughout her career.  (BHS)