By Chris Cobb
The Herald-Zeitung
Published March 26, 2010

A new face took over at Christus Santa Rosa Health Care in February with the retirement of former CEO Don Beeler.

Patrick Carrier, the former CEO of Christus Health Gulf Coast, was tapped as his replacement. And now more than a month a job, the new head of one of the largest health care systems in South Central Texas said he was pleased he made the decision to take the reins.

“I just saw this as a great opportunity for my own career, as well as an opportunity to live in a great part of the state,” Carrier said.

Carrier is a native of southern Louisiana, and has worked as a health care administrator for 32 years.

He had served as CEO of Christus Gulf Coast since 2003, and also was named CEO Christus Continuing care in 2009.

By being named chief executive officer of the entire Santa Rosa System, he’s now in charge of what has been a rapidly expanding health care provider. Christus purchased McKenna Memorial Hospital in New Braunfels in 2008. That was followed in 2009 by the opening of a new hospital in Westover Hills in San Antonio, and the system also has purchased five outpatient surgery centers in the last few years.

“And I think we’ll see a continuation of what’s been happening over the last several years,” Carrier said. “We’re going to be focused on clinical quality, and continuing to enhance our capabilities in clinical areas, and we’ll also continue to look at opportunities to grow the ministry in this region.”

Since purchasing McKenna in 2008, Christus has invested millions into expanding its medical capabilities in New Braunfels, particularly in the field of cardiac care.

The first heart surgery in the history of Comal County was performed in November, and a $13 million cardiac wing is expected to open in June.

“It’s going to be a state-of-the-art, first-class facility, and offer a level of service that’s never been offered in New Braunfels before,” Carrier said.

He also said things haven’t changed significantly for Christus with the announcement this month that Baptist Health System was opening a second hospital in New Braunfels, and that the system was committed to further expansion.

“I won’t say that I’m happy they’re building out there.” Carrier said. “Certainly we would prefer not to have that level of competition because I think, unlike total free enterprise, it can drive up health care costs in certain ways.

If anything, it’s probably focused us more on making sure we have the appropriate services in the community. But it hasn’t changed our mindset, and that’s to provide services that are needed and continue to deliver first-class service.”