Chief Financial Officer Retires After More than 4 Decades in Healthcare

“Trinity Hospital Twin City’s Chief Financial Officer Retires After More than 4 Decades in Healthcare”

DENNISON, OHIO—At the end of the work day on May 1, 2015, Woodrow W. Hathaway, Jr., FACHE, Chief Financial Officer of Trinity Hospital Twin City, officially began his retirement after working 41 years in the healthcare industry. Having started his professional career as a high school business teacher, Hathaway took a summer position in healthcare with the intention to return to teaching that fall of 1974. However, he loved the healthcare work so much that he gave up his tenured teaching status and never looked back.

                Over the years, Hathaway has advanced from being a Business Office Manager and Assistant Administrator of a North Carolina hospital to Chief Financial Officer at that same hospital followed by senior management positions at other organizations, and eventually coming to Ohio. Along the way, he earned the prestigious distinction of being named a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives (FCHE) and an advanced member of the Hospital Financial Management Association.

                In 40 years, Hathaway has witnessed many changes in the healthcare industry. He noted that the advances in technology and health procedures are the best advances he has seen. “When I started, exploratory surgery was the norm, with the result sometimes being uncertain,” he explained. “Now, with the imaging technology available, exploratory surgery is not as necessary. Also, with the advances in surgical procedures, patients have better outcomes and recover quicker.”

                During his three years at Trinity Hospital Twin City (THTC), Hathaway was part of the senior management team that led the hospital staff in earning the Healthcare Organization of the Month award for January 2015 from the Studer Group. THTC was chosen from among 800 hospitals, and the award is based on real achievements in creating a culture of healthcare excellence resulting in greater patient satisfaction, higher employee retention, healthy financials and improvements in quality of care. In February 2015 the hospital also earned accreditation from The Joint Commission.

                “We greatly appreciate Woody’s contributions to the success of our hospital,” shared Joe Mitchell, THTC President. “We wish him well in his retirement.”

                As a retiree, Hathaway noted that he will miss the great people who always made him feel welcome at THTC. He said one thing that set THTC apart from other healthcare organizations is the value the hospital places on employees as people as well as workers. “I have always appreciated that a person’s well-being is important to the organization. In my times of need, I have felt support from everyone in the organization.”

                Hathaway, who resides at New Philadelphia with his wife of 43 years, Betty, said he has also appreciated being a part of the Tuscarawas County community. He has enjoyed contributing his help as an active member of the Dennison Rotary Club and as a board member and treasurer for the Tuscarawas County Clinic for the Working Uninsured.

                During retirement, Hathaway looks forward to traveling throughout Ohio to make day trips to see many of the attractions. He and his wife also plan to take some trips to North Carolina where their two adult daughters and two grandchildren reside. Mostly, he looks forward to having a less hectic schedule.