April 23, 2009

BESSEMER, Ala.  - Medical West, an affiliate of the UAB Health System, announced that President and CEO Timothy J. Thornton is retiring effective May 31.

UAB Hospital Associate Vice President Don Lilly will serve as interim CEO during the search for a permanent replacement.

Thornton joined Medical West in 1999 as chief financial officer and was named CEO and president of the organization in 2004. Prior to joining Medical West, he served as senior vice president and COO of GuideStar Health Systems, Inc. Before that, he was the vice president of Financial Services for Carraway Methodist Medical Center.

"I have truly enjoyed working at Medical West and expect to see great things from the organization going forward," said Thornton. "I will miss everyone and am looking forward to spending more time with my family and having the opportunity to travel."

"On behalf of everyone at the organization, we would like to thank Tim for all of his hard work and dedication to Medical West," said UAB Health System CEO William Ferniany, Ph.D. "We wish him well in his retirement."

During Thornton's tenure at Medical West, the organization added its new medical office building and outpatient surgery center, and expanded the number of beds at the facilities.

About the UAB Health System

The UAB Health System includes all of the University of Alabama at Birmingham's patient care activities, including UAB Hospital, the Callahan Eye Foundation Hospital, UAB Highlands, the Kirklin Clinic, UAB Health Centers, VIVA Health insurance company, and affiliates Medical West and Baptist Health Montgomery. UAB is the state of Alabama's largest employer and an internationally renowned research university and academic health center; find more information at www.uab.edu and www.uabhealth.org.