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- [S104] Cocke County, Tennessee, and its People, Cocke County Heritage Book Committee, (Walsworth Publishing, 1992), 192.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 20 Oct 2006.
Ketterman named interim hospital director
By: Duay O'Neil
Source: The Newport Plain Talk
10-20-2006
NEWPORT- Patti Ketterman, director of nursing at Baptist Hospital of Cocke County for the past 20 years, was recently named interim hospital administrator, following the recent resignation of James Decker. Warren Payne, CEO of Baptist Health Systems, named Ketterman to the position, just prior to his own resignation as CEO. Ketterman assumed her new duties on Oct. 7, the day after Decker left to take a new position as executive director of MEDIC in Knoxville. Ketterman will continue her work as nursing director and finds the fulfillment of the two jobs' duties a challenge. A new administrator is expected to be named around the first of the year. Ketterman's selection as interim administrator comes at a busy time in her own life. On Wednesday afternoon, she went on-line to defend her dissertation, a conclusion of three years of study for her doctorate in nursing science. She has completed this work through the University of Tennessee's Health Science Center in Memphis. Accepted into this program of study three years ago, Ketterman was one of only 26 students chosen out of several hundred who applied for admission. In defending her dissertation, Ketterman met with her committee via conference call and presented a PowerPoint presentation. Ketterman's work in the medical field began at Walters State Community College, where she earned her associate degree in nursing in 1977. Other degrees include her BS degree in nursing from East Tennessee State University, 1986; and a Masters in Public Health Administration and Planning from UTK in 1989. She holds board certification in Nursing Administration from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. In 1996, her peers honored her with the prestigious PRISM Award for consistently exemplifying the Baptist Health System values of service, integrity, and respect. As the local hospital shifts somewhat into its new place as part of the Triad corporation, little changes are expected locally. "One change will be the adoption of a local board of directors, such as what the hospital had many years ago," said Ketterman. "This board will be comprised of six to eight physicians, plus an additional six or so community representatives. They will meet monthly, instead of quarterly like the present advisory board has done." "Triad is 'big' on community," Ketterman pointed out. "They are very interested in meeting the hospital's needs and listening to the input of the physicians." The current advisory board, consisting of Dean Williams, chairman; Harold Cates, Dr. James Williams, Jackie Hounshell, CFO; Dr. Tom Conway, L. C. Gregg, Larry Butler, Tammy Francis, Dr. Constantine Diaz-Miranda, Peggy Hammonds, Craig Wilds, and Dr. Rich Lloyd, will continue to serve until the new board is in place. Dr. Nathan Ford also served on the advisory board until his term recently ended. Ketterman's personal "staff" is comprised of Delilah Gray and Darlene Shults, who share the position of administrative assistant. "They have worked for me as nursing director, plus have worked for Jim Dekker as hospital administrator, so there's really no change involved there," said Ketterman. "I feel very honored to have been named to this post. We have very good managers here at the hospital. Most of our managers have been here for a very long time and are highly capable people. I have appealed to them to help us continue to work together as a team," said Ketterman. As the local hospital's ownership and leadership undergo changes, Ketterman quickly pointed out that the health insurance for their employees will remain "comparable" to what they have had. "I expect the number of employees, currently approximately 350, to remain the same. I do expect more specialists to come here so that local patients do not have to leave our county for their help." The 350 employees include those at the nursing home. When asked to speculate on future expansions at the hospital, Ketterman said, "When the last addition was built, we asked the architects to go ahead and draw plans for future work, so we already have the designs for a new surgical suite, plus renovations for the diagnostics area - radiology and labs. We have a plan." Ketterman, wife of Keith Ketterman, president of National Bank of Tennessee, is the daughter of J. C. and Peggy Pack, Cosby. The Kettermans have four children: Deede (Dyke) Cogdill, an RN in the hospital's emergency room, Jamie Dyke, who has just begun her student teaching at Cocke County High School, Greg Ketterman, an officer at National Bank of Tennessee; and Melody Ketterman, a special education teacher in Brentwood. "I'm very excited and am glad to help the hospital in this way," concluded Ketterman. "I'm grateful there was enough confidence in me for my selection. I repeat-we have an excellent medical staff here. They have been very supportive to me. With the help of all the employees, we will continue to provide superior care for our community." Ketterman, a 2006 Leadership Cocke County Class member, serves on Safe Harbor's Board of Directors and Cocke County's Emergency 911 Committee. She is currently president of Friends of the Library, a member of WSCC's Respiratory Care Technician Advisory Committee, and serves on WSCC's Nursing Program Advisory Board, Cocke County's Emergency Planning Committee, and as a preceptor for ETSU's College of Nursing. Ketterman concluded, "As a native of Cocke County, I am excited about any opportunity I have to help our community. I love Cocke County, and look forward to doing anything I can to help improve our quality of life here."
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 15 Mar 2007.
Ketterman to remain as hospital administrator
By: Duay O'Neil
Source: The Newport Plain Talk
03-15-2007
NEWPORT-Dr. Patti Ketterman will continue serving as administrator of Baptist Hospital of Cocke County, according to a statement issued by Baptist Health Systems Chief Executive Janice James, dated March 13. According to James, Tom Reitinger will replace Brue Chandler as administrator of Baptist Hospital of Knoxville and Peter Betts has been named administrator of Baptist Hospital West and Baptist Hospital for Women, replacing Martha Chill. James said, "We appreciate the service and dedication Brue and Martha have given to our organization. Brue has been with Baptist for more than a year and has been instrumental in helping to renovate key areas of the campus downtown. Martha has been with the west campus since before its inception and has helped establish the facilities as a viable option for residents of West Knox County. Both are seeking new opportunities and we wish them well in their endeavors." Ketterman said, "I'm very pleased to continue in my role as administrator of Baptist Hospital of Cocke County. We are very fortunate to have the fine quality of health care in our community." "I look forward to working with Wellspring Partners and my new colleagues as we help Baptist improve its financial performance," Ketterman continued. "Baptist Hospital of Cocke County is, by far, in the best financial shape of any of the hospitals in the Baptist Health System," Ketterman added. Reitinger comes to the post with more than 35 years of experience in hospitals and health systems. According to James, Reitinger has served as the chief executive officer of five community hospitals ranging from 75 to more than 550 beds. With extensive experience in leading organizations for improved financial and quality performance, Reitinger "develops strong, goal-oriented management teams," James continued. Reitinger holds a Master of Healthcare Administration degree from Washington University in St. Louis and is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives. Betts also brings more than 35 years of healthcare experience to his new post, including two decades as President and CEO of a two-hospital system in New Orleans. His experience in turnaround management includes "volume growth, medical staff development, customer service, and employee retention," James said. Betts holds a Masters of Health Administration degree from the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 25 Sep 2007.
Dr. Ketterman named BHCC permanent administrator
Source: The Newport Plain Talk
09-25-2007
NEWPORT - Baptist Hospital of Cocke County now has a new permanent administrator.
Patti Ketterman, DNSc, RN received word last Friday of her promotion to that position. Dr. Ketterman has served as interim administrator since October 6, 2006.
In addition to overseeing the operations of BHCC, Ketterman is also serving as interim administrator of Baptist Convalescent Center.
Janice James, Baptist Health System of East Tennessee Chief Executive, made the announcement.
A Cosby native, Ketterman has spent over 30 years in the health care industry, beginning with her graduation from Walters State Community College's nursing program in 1977. Additional degrees include BS in Nursing from East Tennessee State University (1986), MS in Public Health, Administration, and Planning from UTK (1989), and, most recently, Doctorate of Nursing Science, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis (2006).
Following her graduation from WSCC, Ketterman went to work at the then Cocke County Memorial Hospital in 1978 as a staff RN until 1983, when she was named Director of Staff Development.
In 1986, she was promoted to Assistant Administrator/Director of Nursing, a position in which she was responsible for all clinical areas of nursing and in which she also acted as Chief Administrative Officer in the absence of the administrator.
In 1996, she received the Baptist Health System's PRISM Award for consistently exemplifying the Baptist Health System's values of service, integrity, and respect.
In addition to her hospital work, Ketterman serves as a director of the Economic Development Commission, Safe Harbor, and Cocke County Partnership.
She is also a preceptor ETSU's College of Nursing, a member of the Cocke County Emergency Planning Committee, WSCC's Nursing Advisory Board, Carson-Newman College's Advisory Board, and Library Friends President.
As hospital administrator, Ketterman sees her top priority as physician recruitment. "We still need to bring more physicians here," said Ketterman on Monday. "We recently welcomed Dr. Allison Eaton, OB/GYN, and are actively recruiting another surgeon."
"We are a competent and solid team in Newport, and I am confident we will continue to grow and give quality, evidenced-based care to our patients," Ketterman continued.
Baptist Health System continues to work through a merger process with St. Mary's Hospital.
Whereas the Baptist Health System has struggled financially for several years, Baptist Hospital of Cocke County has avoided such problems. Recently BHCC was named to the "Top 100 Performance Improvement Leaders" list by Thomson Top Hospitals.
BHCC is a 74-bed care facility with a 56-bed nursing center. Previous hospital administrators have been Douglas Hodge, Bob Jones, Roy Pihlgren, Ron Smith, Dr. David McConnell, Vance Holland, Wayne Buckner, and James Decker.
Ketterman is the first female administrator for the local hospital and is currently the only female hospital administrator in the Baptist Health System.
"This is an honor to be in a position to serve the people of Cocke County," concluded Ketterman. "The hospital is a vital part of this community and its success is due to our physician's involvement and our dedicated employees. The citizens of Cocke County have been very supportive of the hospital and we are looking forward to being of service to them in the future."
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 1 Jun 2008.
Dr. Ketterman named to board
MEMPHIS-Baptist Hospital of Cocke County Administrator Patti Ketterman, DNSc, recently accepted a position on the College of Nursing Alumni Board of Directors for the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC), where she received her Doctorate of Nursing Science degree in 2006.
As a board member, Dr. Ketterman's primary responsibilities will be to serve as liaison to the Dean on matters such as curriculum and education standards and to promote the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, its College of Nursing, and the nursing profession.
In conjunction with her board involvement, Dr. Ketterman recently attended the spring board meeting and Alumni Day activities held in Memphis April 24-25. Dr. Pat Wall, UTHSC Chancellor, presented a campus update and College of Nursing Dean, Donna Hathaway, PhD, FAAN engaged the board in discussions regarding the challenges and opportunities the College currently faces.
Alumni Day highlights included highly acclaimed keynote speaker Dr. Tim Porter O'Grady. Special recognition was given to Class of 1958 alumni, who returned for their Golden Graduate celebration.
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(Age 98 years) 