Ronnie Dean, the vice president of operations at Southeast Alabama Medical Center in Dothan, will be the new CEO of Troy Regional Medical Center.

“Ronnie has been a healthcare executive with Southeast Alabama Medical Center in Dothan for the past 33 years,” said Sherrill Crowe, chairman of the Troy Hospital Health Care Authority Board of Directors. “He brings a wealth of knowledge with a proven track record in a high-performing medical complex. He understands hospital operations, new business development, physicians and hospital realignment.”

Dean, a native of Dothan and graduate of Wallace Community College, began his career in respiratory therapy. He progressed through management and in 1996 began working in administration at the medical center. Since then, he has played an integral role in the growth and development of the system which includes hospitals in Dothan and Eufaula and serves 13 counties, as well as a clinical affiliation with Troy Regional Medical Center.

He will replace departing CEO Teresa Grimes, who is returning home to care for family in Washington County and to serve as CEO of the local hospital there.

While the scale and size of the systems in Dothan and Troy may be different, Dean said Friday the focus is the same.

“At the center of every hospital, there are a core set of services that are required, and they all center around what happens at the bedside,” he said. “Making the transition will be different in scope and size but very similar in the focus. We want to be known for exceptional care …

“And I’m simply taking the skill sets I’ve acquired here and transferring them to Troy to engage our people, our physicians, our community.”

Dean said the transition to Troy was not one he sought or expected. “I have gotten to know Troy Regional, its leadership team and its board through our clinical affiliation,” he said. “I’ve been intrigued by what has been accomplished in Troy by Teresa and her leadership team …

“This opportunity isn’t something I’ve sought out. It’s sort of like the buoys lining up in a harbor. In some way or another, the buoys lined up and I began to believe I could serve a purpose in the Troy community.”

Dean said purpose is a guiding factor in his life and his career. “I am about purpose. I believe every individual has a purpose, and while a job is one thing, the meaning behind it is another,” he said. “This is less a career move then serving a purpose.”

During his conversations with the board of directors and leadership team members, Dean said he has seen how deeply committed all are to the success of Troy Regional Medical Center. “I’ve had some excellent conversations with the board about dreams, goals and aspirations,” he said. “And TRMC has a wonderful leadership team. The community supports the hospital and is committed to its success in so many ways.”

Crowe said the board is pleased to be able to hire a CEO with Dean’s extensive experience and who can build on the foundation of success put in place by Grimes and the leadership team.

“Ronnie has been responsible for 938 employees at Southeast and under his leadership has seen a 27 percent or $73 million increase in operating revenue over the past five-year period,” Crowe said. “We are very fortunate to sign someone with Ronnie’s qualifications.”

Dean’s experience with TRMC through the clinical affiliation is beneficial, although not a driving factor in the hire, both he and Crowe said. “None of that really came into play during my discussions with the board,” Dean said.

Nor did other staffing changes at SAMC, where longtime CEO Ronald S. Owens retires this month. “I’m not leaving the medical center for any other reason than the opportunity present in Troy,” Dean said. “I really think (Rick Sutton, new CEO) is going to be able to pick up where Ron left off and do an excellent job with the regional delivery system.”

Dean will begin work on June 20. He and his wife, Sue Ellen, are the parents of two adult children.

“I’ve been impressed with what I know and what I’ve seen,” he said. “I’m looking forward to meeting and engaging with everyone.”