Skaggs taps next CEO

Skaggs’ board of directors announced Erixon’s hiring May 25. Erixon, who has more than 25 years of experience at hospitals in rural and urban communities, will assume his new duties July 17, succeeding Bob Phillips, who retires this summer.

Erixon most recently served as president and CEO of Baxter Regional Medical Center, a 270-bed hospital in Mountain Home, Ark.

Following Phillips’ announcement in February that he planned to retire, the board appointed a succession committee and hired Witt/Kieffer, an Atlanta-based national health care executive search firm, to narrow the field of candidates for the CEO position.

The top four candidates were interviewed by the succession committee, and two of those returned to interview with Skaggs’ senior leaders, meet with the board of directors and physicians, and tour the hospital campus and the Branson community.

Culture and vision

“When we began our search for a new leader, we knew it was important to find someone who fits into the culture of the hospital and our community, who agrees with our strategic vision, and who can carry on our reputation for providing high quality care,” said Dr. Rick Davis, chairman of the board of directors, in a news release. “We are confident that Mr. Erixon is the right leader for Skaggs as we continue to pursue expanded medical services and facilities for our community.”

Erixon, who served at Baxter Regional Medical Center for eight years, received his master’s degree in health administration from Duke University in Durham, N.C. He is also a diplomat of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

During his tenure at Baxter Regional Medical Center, Erixon was actively involved in several growth initiatives, including the addition of a six-story patient tower and an orthopedic care center. He also was instrumental in leading the hospital’s growth in physician recruitment, volunteer support staffing and increased financial commitments and contributions to the hospital’s foundation.

A decade of growth

Though Davis noted that the board is excited about the new vision Erixon will bring to Skaggs, he noted that Phillips’ talents and leadership style have been very important to Skaggs’ success for the 10 years that he has worked in Branson.

“He will be missed, but his legacy will continue to have a positive impact on our community for years to come,” Davis said of Phillips.

During Phillips’ tenure, Skaggs experienced rapid growth in both facilities and services.

When Phillips came to Branson in 1996, the center had 99 beds, fewer than 600 staff members, 30 doctors on its medical staff, six satellite offices, and gross revenues of $60 million.

Now, Skaggs has 177 beds, more than 1,070 employees, 110 medical staff physicians, 21 satellite medical clinics, and gross revenues of nearly $225 million.

Other notable achievements under Phillips include a cardiovascular surgery partnership between Skaggs and Washington University in St. Louis and the opening of the $20 million, 112,000-square-foot Skaggs Outpatient Center.

Post-retirement plans

Following retirement, Phillips and his wife, Karen, plan to stay in the Branson area and remain active in the community.

Skaggs, a not-for-profit community-owned hospital, has been providing health care to Branson-area residents since 1950.