River Parishes Hospital recently announced that Robert Marshall Jr. has been appointed its new chief executive officer. Marshall replaces Gerald A. Fornoff, who has served as interim CEO of the hospital since January 2011.

“Roberts is a strong leader who has a results-oriented approach to hospital administration and a commitment to community involvement” said Michael Clark, president of the American Division of LifePoint Hospitals, of which RPH is a part. “I am confident his experience will help lead River Parishes Hospital toward a bright future focused on improving the quality of healthcare in the region.”

Marshall brings more than 20 years of healthcare management experience to RPH. Most recently, he worked at University of Texas Health Sciences Center in Tyier, Texas, where he was chief operating officer before stepping into the role of chief administrative officer. As CAO, Marshall improved patient satisfaction scores to the 85th percentile or above, increased patient volumes by installing scheduling and IT system effciencies and spearheaded the construction of a $42 million cancer center.

“Robert has a proven track record of developing and executing effective strategic plans to enhance the role of a hospital in its community,” said Dr. S.J. “Billy” St. Martin, chairman of the RPH Board of Trustees. “Our board is pleased to welcome him to River Parishes and eager to work with him to find new ways to grow our hospital and make our community healthier.”

Prior to UTHSC, Marshall was COO of Baxter Regional Medical Center in Mountain Home, Ark. While there, he raised the hospital’s operating margin by nearly 4 percent in one fiscal year. Before BRMC, he served as CEO of Valley View Regional Hospital in Ada, Okla.

Additionally, he has held positions at Providence Medford Medical Center in Medford, Ore.;

Rapids Regional Medical Center in Alexandria, La.; Magnolia Regional Health Center in Corinth, Miss.; and Mercy Health Center in Oklahoma City, Okla.

Marshall is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. He earned his master’s degree in health administration from the University of Oklahoma and his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Northern Arizona University.

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