Steve Woerner, President and CEO of Driscoll Health System, has announced his retirement effective April 6.
In a press release, Driscoll Health System announced that Woerner had retired, adding that he will continue to serve as a consultant for the company as well as assist the Board of Directors with its leadership transition.
Until a successor is determined, Eric Hamon, Executive Vice President and CFO, will serve as interim President and CEO.
“Steve has led Driscoll through a period of tremendous growth, and Driscoll is much stronger today than when he joined us 10 ½ years ago,” said Sam L. Susser, Chair of the Driscoll Children’s Hospital Governing Board. “We are grateful that Steve plans to assist Driscoll Children’s Hospital as a consultant for the next two years as well as assist the Driscoll Board with the leadership transition.”
In its search for Woerner’s successor, Driscoll has retained Heidrick & Struggles to handle the process. Both internal and external candidates will be considered, according to DHS.
The Board of Directors took the opportunity to thank Woerner for his contribution as he presided over the company for 10 and a half years.
“The Board of Directors would like to take this opportunity to thank Steve for his many significant contributions to the Hospital during his remarkable 10 ½ year tenure,” said Mr. Susser. Under Steve Woerner’s leadership, the Hospital has seen tremendous growth which includes:
• The expansion of our footprint to include new clinics in Brownsville, Eagle Pass, Harlingen, Laredo, McAllen/Edinburg, Victoria, and the south side of Corpus Christi.
• The first and only pediatric kidney transplant program in South Texas celebrating more than 105 transplants in the past 11 years.
• The historic first separation of conjoined twins in South Texas in 2016.
• The only Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in South Texas designated by the State of Texas.
• The retirement of all outstanding indebtedness at the Driscoll Health System and the establishment of over $1 billion in financial assets to support Clara Driscoll’s mission of providing more care for more children in South Texas.
• Rapid expansion of the Driscoll Health Plan, which now has responsibility for managing the healthcare of approximately 175,000 lives in South Texas.
• Expansion of our ground and air transport program to serve patients with over 20 flights a week covering 33,000 square miles.
• The successful launch and recent completion of Driscoll’s first capital campaign, futuresbright, which has raised $16 million.
• The creation of the Global Institute for Hispanic Health for clinical research and education in partnership with Texas A&M University System.
• Creation of one of the first and largest Maternal Fetal Medicine programs in South Texas.
“Steve played a meaningful role in all of these accomplishments,” said Mr. Susser. “If Clara Driscoll was with us today, she would also extend her thanks to Steve for all he and the talented and dedicated Driscoll Children’s team have accomplished during his tenure.”
