Tuesday, February 22, 2011

TOP STORY >> New administrator named at hospital

Jay J. Quebedeaux has been named chief executive officer of North Metro Medical Center in Jacksonville.

Quebedeaux succeeds Mike Schimming, who has been the hospital’s CEO for the past year and was the hospital’s chief financial officer before that. Schimming is credited with turning the hospital around after several years of losses.

Schimming has been named chief financial officer for Allegiance Health Management, North Metro’s management company. Allegiance has agreed to purchase the municipal hospital from Jacksonville and assume its debt.

Quebedeaux has worked in several capacities in health care, from hospital chief executive officer to regional business development.

He brings more than 17 years of health-care experience to North Metro. As an Army veteran, he said he is “sensitive to the unique needs of our military community.”

Quebedeaux, who will take over effective immediately, said he is “excited to continue the tradition of excellence and quality health-care this hospital brings to our community. My focus will be on facility improvement and growing services most needed for our facility.”

Born in Louisiana, he has lived much of his adult life in Texas.

Quebedeaux is married and has two young children. He earned his bachelor of business administration at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas.