CEO out at Easley hospital shared by Palmetto, Greenville systems

Michael Batchelor is no longer CEO of Baptist Easley Hospital, the hospital’s board chairman said Friday.

“We will conduct a national search for Michael’s replacement,” board chairman Tom O’Hanlan said. “In the interim, Jeanne Ward will work with senior leadership to ensure a smooth transition.”

Ward is a member of the Baptist Easley Board of Directors, former CEO of Oconee Medical Center and current regional president for the Pickens and Oconee markets, he said.

No reason was given in a short statement released by the hospital, which is jointly by the Greenville Hospital System and the Columbia-based Palmetto Health System.

“Baptist Easley remains committed to providing the best in community health care,” O’Hanlan said.

Batchelor, who came to Easley after serving as president of the Greenville Health System’s North Greenville campus, was named CEO in February 2013, after the retirement of Roddey E. Gettys III.

He was chosen in a national search that drew a pool of 188 applicants, hospital officials said at the time.

Earlier this year, he had presided over a re-branding ceremony, in which the hosptial changed its logo to reflect its ties with GHS.

Batchelor served as administrator of clinical/non-clinical support services at GHS from 2001-05. He has said he started his career as a combat field medic in 1988 with the U.S. Army, and served several posts including in the U.S. and Germany.

This story was originally published May 7, 2016 at 1:52 PM with the headline "CEO out at Easley hospital shared by Palmetto, Greenville systems."