Brentwood-based Surgery Partners (SP) recently announced a new addition to their leadership team and Eric Evans is keen to take on the challenge. “I am honored and excited to take on this critical role for the organization,” said Evans.
As the company’s new executive vice-president and chief operating officer, Evans will replace Bryan Fisher who left his position last fall. Prior to joining Surgery Partners, Evans had worked for Tenet Healthcare for fifteen years. He had first started with the company as a hospital CEO and regional president and moved up through the ranks until he achieved the position of President of Hospital Operations in March 2016.
In November 2018, his position was made redundant after the company hired Dr. Saumya Sutaria into the newly created chief operating officer position. As part of his non-cause termination, Evans was entitled to $5.9 million severance. According to a Tenet-issued statement, the decision to dissolve his position was a mutual one between CEO Ron Rittenmeyer, Evans and the board.
Of Evans’ departure, Rittenmeyer said, “I want to thank Eric for his many contributions to our hospitals and our people during is 14-year tenure. Among his accomplishments, his patient-first mentality drove improvements in service and quality and laid a strong foundation from which to build. We are grateful to him for his hard work and commitment to the company.”
Evans received an MBA from Harvard Business School in Boston and a Bachelor’s of Science in industrial management from Purdue University West Lafayette, Indiana. Before his work in healthcare, Evans worked as an industrial engineer and material flow coordinator for the Saturn Corp., a GM-owned manufacturing company.
In a 2017 interview, Evans spoke about his career path: “Previously, I had worked in manufacturing at GM. It was fun and rewarding, but I was missing that larger connection to a purpose. I went back to business school and there I met alums that were in healthcare. I realized that is where I wanted to be – that is my calling.”
His move to Surgery Partners will give Evans a new company to call home. “Surgery Partners has a clear strategy focused on delivering exceptional healthcare outcomes and experiences for our patients and providers,” Evans said. Of the next steps for the company, he stated: “Fully integrating our operations is a key next step for the company as we continue to deliver value for all of our stakeholders and partners.”
