James E. Cathey, Jr. announced that he would be transitioning to a new role with North Oaks effective December 31, 2016, and the North Oaks Board of Commissioners named Michele Kidd
Sutton, FACHE, as the successor.
James E. Cathey, Jr. has successfully led North Oaks Health System through a period of unprecedented growth and industry change for 30 years. Cathey shared, “It has been my honor and privilege to work with the Board, Physicians, Leadership, Staff and Volunteers of this great institution to make a difference in the lives of this community.”
During his tenure, North Oaks has grown from one small hospital known as Seventh Ward General to the largest community based health system on the Northshore. North Oaks Health System includes: North Oaks Medical Center which is a 330-bed acute care hospital; the 27-bed North Oaks Rehabilitation Hospital; North Oaks Physician Group; North Oaks-Livingston Parish Medical Complex; two Outpatient Diagnostic Centers; and North Oaks School of Radiologic Technology and Dietetic Internship Program. Since 1986, Cathey has led the organization through unprecedented growth—from 400 employees to close to 2,700 and developed the medical staff from 60 to more than 240 physicians in 38 different specialties.
A 28-year veteran of North Oaks, Sutton has worked in or overseen nearly every aspect of the more than quarter of a billion dollar organization and assisted in its many successes. Since
2006, Sutton has served as North Oaks Health System’s Executive Vice-President/Chief Operating Officer. In 2012, she added Administrator of North Oaks Medical Center and Chairman of North Oaks Physician Group to her existing job duties. She also led over $250 million dollars of community reinvestment through facility expansions, new construction and services to meet the growing Florida Parishes’ health care needs.
Sutton is board certified as a health care executive by the American College of Healthcare Executives. She earned both her Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Arts Degrees from Southeastern Louisiana University.