Fitzthum Hired as New Chief Executive Officer

Justin Boswell, Community Healthcare System of NE Kansas (CHCS) Board Chair, has announced that John Fitzthum has been hired as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Fitzthum will assume this new role on March 3.

Fitzthum has more than 12 years’ experience in the healthcare setting, working the past year as the Regional Chief Operating Officer at St. Catherine Hospital (CommonSpirit Health) in Dodge City. CommonSpirit Health is comprised of St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City, a 100-bed acute care hospital; St. Catherine Hospital in Dodge City, a 99-bed acute care facility; and Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital, a 26-bed acute care hospital.

Prior to that, Fitzthum worked as the Administrator for St. Catherine Hospital for two years. His other previous healthcare experience includes stints with The University of Kansas Health System in Hays as Director of Support Services and Executive Director of Physician Practices. While at the University of Kansas Health System in Hays, he successfully developed a culture of trust and opened lines of communication for patients, associates, and physicians while boosting employee morale, improving operational efficiencies, and enhancing patient quality, safety, and experience.

“The Board of Directors, administrative and medical staff are excited about the knowledge and leadership skills he will bring the table,” Boswell said. “He has a proven record of developing rapport with staff while improving operational efficiencies and increasing financial growth. And we believe his Kansas roots will be a great asset to CHCS,” Boswell said.

It was not until 2012 when he had a very personal medical experience involving his son that he realized he wanted to pursue a healthcare career. “I knew after watching the hospital staff take care of families, that I wanted a career in an industry that truly changes lives,” he stated. “I am eager to begin this new journey at CHCS as the organization is known for its history of leading the way in rural healthcare and I want to be a part of continuing that tradition.”

Fitzthum has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Colorado University and a Master of Healthcare Administration in Finance from Colorado State University. He holds a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) certification and is currently active with the Kansas Hospital Association (KHA) and has served on various committees.

Fitzthum is a native of Wichita and still has family there. He and his wife Julie have two sons. Their youngest son attends the University of Notre Dame while their oldest son will move with them to Onaga.