Beaumont, TX — September 29, 2020 — The Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas (BHSET) Board of Directors has announced the retirement of David Parmer, Chief Executive Officer. Parmer, who has served BHSET for more than 30 years, will continue as CEO through June 30, 2021, and serve thereafter in an advisory role for two additional years.
“The entire Board is extremely supportive of David’s decision and thankful for his many years of friendship and exemplary leadership,” said Gary Coker, Chair, BHSET Board of Directors. “Board members, hospital staff at all levels and the community at large have greatly benefited from David’s highly participative leadership style, sense of commitment to Baptist Hospital, and desire to reach the best solutions and decisions during the best and worst of times. David has truly been a great leader.”
Of the more 2,000 BHSET employees, more than 60 of them have worked alongside Parmer during his 30+ year tenure, a true testament of exemplary leadership. BHSET attracts dedicated people and keeps them essential to their strategy. Founded in 1945 when there was a serious hospital bed shortage in Southeast Texas, BHSET celebrates 75 years of service to the community in 2020.
BHSET has been associated with Community Hospital Corporation (CHC) of Plano, Texas, since September 2000. CHC will work together with a newly appointed BHSET Search Committee and executive search firm Witt Kieffer on the CEO search effort. We anticipate that a new CEO will assume office by the end of June 2021.
Parmer, who first joined BHSET on November 27, 1989, has directed growth efforts enabling abundant resources for outpatient services, inpatient services, high definition imaging, and emergency medical care 24/7 for area citizens. His work with physicians led to creation of the area’s first hospitalist group among other collaborative efforts and clinical affiliations.
Daily over decades, Parmer has accepted all challenges placed before him. He has also been involved in creating various community hospital affiliations and relationships.
“We perform sacred work every day and this will perpetuate for years to come,” said Parmer, who speaks from strong faith and belief in the BHSET vision: Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas will be the premier healthcare system by creating the best possible outcomes with exceptional patient care experiences. We will accomplish this by keeping quality and patient safety at the core of everything we do.
Parmer recognizes the importance of each staff member, physician and volunteer, and the critical role of healthcare to a local community. It shows in his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, and through multiple hurricanes and floods, including Hurricane Harvey in 2017, when he slept many nights at the Beaumont Hospital.
“We are blessed beyond measure by the commitment of many. I have been fortunate to be part of something sacred and excellent,” Parmer shared.
- Parmer, who began his career as a controller for the Veterans Administration, turned down a prestigious VA supervisory role in Washington, D.C. at age 25. Instead of sole focus on healthcare finance, he preferred to work closely with people and in hospital management, so headed to graduate school for a master’s degree in health services administration at the University of Alabama-Birmingham.
- BHSET CEO since November 27, 1989 (31 years as of November 2020), Parmer’s prior leadership roles were Associate COO/Assistant Administrator, East Jefferson General Hospital, Metairie, LA; Associate Administrator, Ear, Nose & Throat Hospital, New Orleans, LA; and Assistant Administrator/Administrative Resident, VA Medical Center, Birmingham, AL.
- Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas partnered with Cancer Center of Southeast Texas and Altus Cancer Center to create the Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas Regional Cancer Network. This effort consolidated specialized radiation therapy, hematology and medical oncology services while enhancing regional cancer care in Southeast Texas.
- Parmer’s participation on several boards has included: Chairman of the Board, Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce; Board Member, Texas Hospital Association (THA); Board Member, Texas Hospital Political Action Committee (HOSPAC); and Chairman of the Board, American Heart Association-Jefferson County. He is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), serves on the ACHE Regents Advisory Council, and is a Regional Delegate of the American Hospital Association (AHA).
- Parmer earned his BA in Accounting from Mississippi State University, and his Masters in Health Services Administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
About Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas
The mission of Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas is and always has been dedicated to providing quality healthcare and sacred work in a Christian environment to all who need it. For over 70 years, our Partners in Caring — physicians, nurses, and staff — practice a philosophy that inspires an environment of teamwork, respect, encouragement, opportunity, and trust. Our efforts continue each day as we strive to offer newer and better programs, services, and technologies for the members of our community. The dedicated staff at our Beaumont hospital provide their time and talents to perform life-changing education and community-focused programs and services meant to enable us to achieve our vision of improving the health of our community. Hospitals of Southeast Texas has been serving the community for over 70 years. Our healthcare system is dedicated to providing quality health services in a Christian environment in order to improve healthcare for members of the Southeast Texas community. Baptist Beaumont Hospital is licensed for 483 beds.