COVINGTON – Jack Khashou, a Northshore healthcare leader with more than 30 years of experience, has been named chief operating officer of St. Tammany Health System.
He succeeds Sharon Toups, who will retire after serving in the role for 23 years.
“Those who know Sharon know she leaves big shoes to fill,” Khashou said. “But as part of her legacy she also leaves a thriving health system built upon patient experience, operational excellence, colleague collaboration and quality care. Those characteristics will remain central to everything we do at every level of the health system, and I am honored to build on the strong foundation Sharon forged to continue to meet and exceed the needs of our community.
“I also look forward to continuing to work with the St. Tammany Health System Board of Commissioners, leadership and with physicians throughout our community to maintain the health system’s status as the premiere destination for healthcare on the Northshore. To uphold and elevate this status, we will increase our focus on providing whole-person care, leveraging the investments in innovation made over the past several years.”
In his new role, Khashou will be responsible for daily operations of the health system, including oversight of ancillary and support departments.
Khashou began his healthcare career in April 1993 and has held leadership positions – including a previous stint as COO – at for-profit and non-profit health systems throughout South Louisiana. He has been a part of St. Tammany Health System for the past 11 years.
Most recently, he has served as administrator of St. Tammany Cancer Center – A Campus of Ochsner Medical Center, a joint venture of St. Tammany Health System and Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Center; and as vice president in charge of St. Tammany Health System’s St. Tammany Quality Network, a clinically integrated medical alliance of more than 300 Northshore physicians dedicated to delivering quality care at affordable costs.
In welcoming him to his new post, STHS President and CEO Joan Coffman said Mr. Khashou will play a vital part as the health system continues to grow responsibly to meet the needs of the Northshore community.
“While saying goodbye to Sharon is difficult, after having worked with Jack for the past seven years, I can say with confidence we are blessed to have him continue his career with us,” Coffman said. “St. Tammany Health System is currently enjoying an extended period of unprecedented growth, and with Jack guiding operations, we are well positioned to continue serving our community with the compassion and quality upon which the STHS name has been built.”
Khashou’s appointment as COO was the culmination of a national search for Toups’ successor. He will assume his duties immediately upon her retirement.
###
About St. Tammany Health System
The heartbeat of its community, St. Tammany Health System cares for patients and families with excellence, compassion and teamwork. It is nationally recognized for quality, safety and service excellence by CareChex, Leapfrog, Healthgrades, Hospital Compare, Women’s Choice and US News & World Report. The health system is home to 281-bed St. Tammany Parish Hospital Service District No. 1, three diagnostic centers and 12 medical clinics throughout western St. Tammany Parish. Self-supporting, not-for-profit STHS is AA- rated by Fitch and receives no tax funding. More at StTammany.health.