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Community Hospital Anderson names CEO

For release on July 10, 2012

Anderson, IN---Beth Tharp has been named the new president and CEO at Community Hospital Anderson, the result of a nationwide search. She takes on her new role later this year, as current president and CEO, Dr. Bill VanNess, plans to retire. VanNess announced his retirement in October 2011 after 39 years of service, having been named CEO of the hospital in 1997.

Tharp, a registered nurse, currently serves as vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer at Community Anderson. She worked her entire thirty-two year nursing career at the Madison County hospital. Tharp earned her nursing degrees from Anderson College and Indiana Wesleyan University, and then her MBA from Anderson University. At Community Anderson, she has become known and recognized for her creativity, innovation, collaboration, and leadership. Tharp has overseen the development of a number of patient-focused clinical programs at the hospital, which have drawn national attention. She has also been the recipient of Community’s Leadership in Excellence Award in 2009, and, most recently, the Indianapolis Star’s Nurse of the Year Award in 2012.

“Beth exemplifies Community Health Network’s values,” said Bryan Mills, president and CEO of the network. “She is, and will continue to be, an asset to Community’s leadership team. She brings with her the experience, knowledge and vision to lead Community Anderson into the future.”

Tharp will begin to work closely with Dr. VanNess, network leadership, and the Community Hospital Anderson Board of Directors, to develop a transition plan as she takes on her new role.

About Community Hospital Anderson
Community Hospital Anderson is an acute care hospital providing an exceptional patient and family experience for the residents of Madison and surrounding counties. Community Anderson provides a full range of medical services and the only free-standing Alzheimer’s living facility in the county.

About Community Health Network
Ranked among the nation’s most integrated healthcare systems, Community Health Network is Central Indiana’s leader in providing convenient access to exceptional healthcare services, where and when patients need them—in hospitals, health pavilions and doctor’s offices, as well as workplaces, schools and homes. As a non-profit health system with over 200 sites of care and affiliates throughout Central Indiana, Community’s full continuum of care integrates hundreds of physicians, specialty and acute care hospitals, surgery centers, home care services, MedChecks, behavioral health and employer health services. To learn more, visit eCommunity.com or call 800-777-7775.

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Lynda de Widt, Media Relations
Lynda de Widt
Media Relations