BHS CEO named to top 100 list

Beth O’Brien, president and chief executive officer of Birmingham’s Baptist Health System (BHS), is one of two Alabamians named to the “100 Most Powerful People in Healthcare 2004.” O’Brien placed 53^rd in Modern Healthcare’s annual ranking of the nation’s top 100 health care executives. She was one of just 33 newcomers to the list.

Jay Grinney, CEO of HealthSouth Corp., Birmingham, ranked 40^th on the list. The two Alabamians were among such names as Bill Frist (second), Hillary Clinton (third), President George Bush (fourth) and John Kerry (12^th).

David Brailer, national health care IT coordinator, earned the list’s top spot.

O’Brien, one of 28 women on the list, became BHS’ first female chief executive when she joined the faith-based system in January of this year.

Interim BHS Board Chairman Aubrey Miller said, “This recognition acknowledges Beth’s leadership in fulfilling the Baptist Health System’s mission … as well as her role as an advocate.”