GALLIPOLIS — Holzer Consolidated Health Systems (HCHS) has announced that President and Chief Executive Officer Thomas E. Tope has resigned, effective July 1, 2009. He had served as president and CEO of HCHS since October 2001.

Holzer Consolidated Health Systems has elected Gallia County attorney Brent Saunders to replace Tope as president and CEO of Holzer Health Systems.

Saunders possesses significant leadership skills as well as a strong background in finance, officials said. He has served on the Holzer boards for several years, most recently as chairman of the board for Holzer Medical Center-Gallipolis and Holzer Medical Center-Jackson.

Tope has enjoyed a long affiliation with Holzer Consolidated Health Systems. He became a member of the Holzer Hospital Foundation Board in 1976 and served as chairman for 15 years. He served as c of the HCHS Board from its inception in 1986 until 2002.

He became a member of the board of Holzer Medical Center-Jackson when the hospital opened in 2001. Tope is a past chairman of the Holzer Senior Care Center Board and still serves on the center’s executive committee.

“I have treasured the opportunities of working with the wonderful people associated with Holzer and the friendships that have been forged,” Tope said in a written statement to HCHS employees. “To be a part of this organization has truly been a privilege and may Holzer continue to thrive and grow for another 100 years.”

During Tope’s tenure as president and CEO, Holzer Consolidated Health Systems has made significant strides to improve the level of care and access to services for residents of all the communities it serves.

Under his leadership, HCHS has forged partnerships with Holzer Clinic to establish the Holzer Cardiovascular Institute, which provides non-invasive catheterization services, open heart surgery and now electrophysiology diagnostic services; and the Holzer Center for Cancer Care, a $12 million state-of-the-art cancer treatment facility.

Other accomplishments during Tope’s tenure include the establishment of Holzer Weight Loss Solutions, which provides medical weight loss services including the Lap Band System®, nutrition and fitness counseling and behavior modification; expansion of the Long Term Care/Home Care Division, which serves more than 600 patients; establishment of a dental clinic in the former Ball Building in Jackson; as well as the donation of the former Oak Hill Community Medical Center facility to the Oak Hill Chamber of Commerce.

Tope also provided leadership for a significant increase in HCHS’ marketing and advertising program that included implementation of a website and numerous television and radio campaigns. A substantial investment was made in “grass roots” marketing, with support given to local groups, including the Ohio Valley Symphony and both Gallia and Jackson counties’ Relay For Life events.

Major contributions, in conjunction with Holzer Clinic, were made to Jackson High School, the Oak Hill Union School District, as well as a $1 million pledge to build new facilities for the Gallipolis City School District and the Gallia County Local School District.

Tope said that patient satisfaction and quality improvement was and is a continued focus through participation in the Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction survey. He added that a strong, cohesive administrative staff has been built, representing diverse abilities, styles and opinions committed to the success of the organization and excellence in patient care.

Tope said that Holzer Consolidated Health Systems has forged a strong educational partnership with Rio Grande Community College and significant donations have been made to establish the Radiologic and Ultrasound Technology programs at Rio Grande.

“Mr. Tope has a long, distinguished history with the Holzer system,” said Alan Stockmeister, chairman of the board of Holzer Consolidated Health Systems. “Many of the capital improvements and expansion of services implemented under the leadership of Mr. Tope will benefit our patients for many years. I am sure his contributions to our communities will continue in the future.”

For more information about the services offered by Holzer Health Systems, visit www.holzer.org.