Rick Schaffner named vice president/chief operating officer for Beebe Healthcare

Beebe Healthcare recently announced that Rick Schaffner, RN, has returned to the organization as executive vice president and chief operating officer.

Schaffner is responsible for all clinical and other operational departments throughout the hospital, as well as all operations at outpatient facilities throughout the medical organization’s service area. He is a member of Beebe Medical Center’s Executive Staff and reports to President and CEO Jeffrey M. Fried, FACHE.

“I am very pleased that Rick has rejoined our team at Beebe as executive vice president, chief operating officer, in December,” Fried said. “He served Beebe in the same capacity from 2004-07 and then took over the responsibility of chief operating officer at Holy Spirit Health System in Camp Hill, Pa. He has extensive experience in the healthcare industry and is familiar with our organization, so it is to our great advantage to have him back as we deal with the many opportunities and challenges ahead of us.”

Schaffner has more than 34 years of experience in the healthcare industry, having worked for academic medical centers and for-profit organizations, as well as community hospital/health systems like Beebe. He served as senior vice president and chief operating officer for Holy Spirit Health System in Camp Hill for the past seven years. Previously, he managed critical care nursing for Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pa., and served as senior vice president/chief operating officer for Carlisle Hospital and Health Services. Following Carlisle’s sale to HMA, he served as associate executive director/chief operating officer for Carlisle Regional Medical Center.

He received a nursing diploma from Geisinger Medical Center School of Nursing in Danville, an undergraduate degree in nursing from Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pa., and a graduate degree in health administration from the University of Scranton, Scranton, Pa.

“It is an honor and a privilege to return to Beebe Healthcare in the role of executive vice president and chief operating officer,” Schaffner said. “Beebe Healthcare demonstrates its commitment to its mission and vision every day with some of the most dedicated physicians and team members I have been associated with in my healthcare career. I look forward to adding my skills to this truly talented team to further advance the positive impact Beebe Healthcare has on the community that we serve.”

Rick and his wife Michelle have had a home in Lewes for many years and have spent a great deal of time in the area. They now reside in Lewes.

For more information, go to www.beebehealthcare.org.