Memphis, Tenn., July 8, 2005 - Baptist Memorial Health Care recently named Bill Tuttle as the interim administrator and CEO of Baptist Memorial Hospital-Forrest City effective immediately. Tuttle replaces Jerry Pope, who has become an assistant administrator at Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto in Southaven, Miss.

Tuttle comes to the hospital from the system’s corporate office in Memphis, where he has served as vice president of planning for the metro-Memphis market since 1997. Before serving in that position, Tuttle was chief operating officer for The Campbell Clinic in Germantown, Tenn., for two years. A 27-year Baptist employee, he began his Baptist career as a method analyst at Baptist Memorial Hospital, then held several positions in the organization, including administrative resident, administrative assistant and administrator of Baptist Memorial Hospital-Boonville.

“During his time at Baptist, Bill has proven to be an excellent leader, said David Hogan, Baptist’s executive vice president and chief operating officer. “I am confident that he will serve Baptist Forrest City well as the hospital’s interim administrator and CEO.”

Tuttle received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Memphis State University and a bachelor’s degree in science from Oklahoma Baptist University. He later earned a master’s degree in health care administration from Washington University in St. Louis, Mo.

Baptist Forrest City joined the Baptist system in 1983. A year later, construction began on a new 118-bed facility on a 55-acre site, and in 1986, Baptist Forrest City opened its doors to St. Francis County and surrounding areas. In addition to the recently opened Women’s Center, the hospital offers a new sleep disorders lab, a geriatric behavioral unit, home care and hospice services, general surgery, internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics, orthopedics, urology, radiology and cardiology.

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