Everett, Wash.
Published: Thursday, December 27, 2007

Everett hospital to get new chief

David Brooks, Providence Everett Medical Center's chief operating officer for nearly four years, will now serve as chief executive.

By Sharon Salyer
Herald Writer

 EVERETT -- Providence Everett Medical Center, the third largest private employer in Snohomish County, is getting a new chief executive on Jan. 1.

Dave Brooks, 46, has been the organization's chief operating officer since 2004. He is replacing Gail Larson, who joined the organization in August 2001.

"It is truly an honor," Brooks said. "And I've got big shoes to fill."

Brooks takes over as the hospital is in the midst of the largest expansion project in its history: construction of a new $498 million hospital, scheduled to open in 2011.

The first phase of this project, a new 1,000-car parking garage costing an additional $30 million, is expected to open in the summer.

The 12-story, 680,000-square-foot hospital building will have room for about 400 hospital beds.

The project involves more than just construction of a building that's bigger and newer, Brooks said. The hope is the new facility will be designed to adapt to advancements in health care.

As an interim step to serving more patients, the hospital plans to add 10 more hospital beds to its Colby Campus in the spring, pending approval from the state Department of Health, he said.

In addition to the hospital, Brooks also will oversee its affiliated businesses, which include Providence Physician Group and a hospice and home care service.

Collectively, the organizations have a $515 million annual budget and employ nearly 3,700 workers.

Brooks earned his master's degree from the University of Michigan's School of Public Health in 1985. He served in top executive roles for Central DuPage Health in Winfield, Ill., before he was hired by the Everett hospital.

Although Larson is stepping down from her role as the hospital's chief executive, she will remain active with the Providence General Foundation for six months as chief executive emeritus.

Larson said she plans to work on fundraising projects for the new hospital building, including the purchase of diagnostic equipment, helping outfit waiting rooms and helping pay for some of the new hospital's equipment for its heart lab.

Larson also will do work for the Washington and Montana regional offices of the Everett hospital's parent organization, Providence Health and Services.

During Larson's tenure, a number of major projects either opened or got under way.

The Providence Everett Pavilion for Women and Children, a $56 million facility, opened in May 2002.

And the Providence Everett Healthcare Clinic, a nonprofit clinic to treat low-income, uninsured and elderly patients who have trouble getting medical care, opened in 2004.

Larson oversaw planning for the hospital's $498 million building project.

And Providence Regional Cancer Partnership, a new cancer center, opened earlier this year. The $62.4 million building is a collaboration of the Everett hospital with three other area medical groups.

"There is probably no more challenging administrative position than running a hospital and health care delivery system," Larson said. "I've loved every minute of it."



Reporter Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3496 or salyer@heraldnet.com.

By the numbers

Providence Everett Medical Center statistics, based on estimated year-end figures for 2007:

Births: 4,107

Emergency room visits: 102,515

Admissions: 24,995

Surgeries: 11,843

Total hospital employees: 3,116

Total number of employees for the hospital, its clinics and other affiliated businesses: 3,690

Annual budget for the hospital and its businesses: $515 million

Source: Providence Everett Medical Center
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA