(Anderson, S.C. – June 18, 2024) – William Kenley, the chief executive officer of AnMed, has been named among 160 community hospital CEOs to know in 2024 by Becker’s Hospital Review.
The honor comes just weeks after AnMed was named one of three health systems in the nation to win the 2024 Carolyn Boone Lewis Equity of Care Award from the American Hospital Association, and it follows AnMed’s honor of being named the only Upstate health system among the nation’s 153 Great Community Hospitals in 2023 by Becker's, a leading provider of industry news and analysis.
Significant facility expansions that include a $75 million modernization project and the AnMed Piedmont campus now under construction were among initiatives led by Kenley that were applauded by the editorial team at Becker’s. Becker’s also cited Kenley’s improvement of patient experience through innovative technologies, his improvement of access and affordability issues, and his success in fostering a positive organizational culture.
Find the entire list at beckershospitalreview.com. Editorial research and nominations produced Becker’s choices. Health systems could not pay for inclusion.
“Community hospitals are often the unsung heroes in health care, and CEOs are tasked with managing the delivery of coordinated and affordable community care,” Becker’s said in announcing its list. “Beyond just acute care, many community hospital CEOs also ensure that patients can access primary care, rehabilitation, public health services and other resources. Executives are responsible for fostering a positive workforce culture, overseeing strategy, expanding service lines and maintaining financial stability.”
Kenley joined AnMed in 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic — one of the most challenging times for the U.S. health care system — and he helped AnMed emerge even stronger. His strategy has been simple: be exceptional and compassionate in everything. Under his leadership, AnMed has taken risks, tried new approaches and been an early adopter of patient-engagement technologies that have led to positive results for patients and the health system.
Some of Kenley’s key accomplishments include:
- Embarking on a $75 million expansion and modernization project to better serve the community, including enhanced surgical services, expanded emergency services, additional outpatient services, a new maternity center and a state-of-the-art behavioral health unit complete with a new intensive outpatient program.
- Breaking ground on a $40 million ambulatory care campus focused on emergency care, laboratory and imaging services, outpatient therapy, and medical offices for primary and specialty care.
- Overseeing investment in the patient financial experience and empowering patients to understand and trust their bills.
- Fostering a positive culture that permeates the system and makes impact even beyond its walls. He establishes and supports such an atmosphere and frame of mind on individual and system levels by raising and sharing accountability, integrity, collaboration, compassion and innovation – values that shape AnMed’s efforts to provide exceptional and compassionate care.
- Expanding partnership with MUSC Health to improve access to services, recruit physicians and lower costs for patients.
- Receiving the 2023 American College of Healthcare Executives Regent’s Award for South Carolina.
Additionally, at a time when many health systems are navigating issues around access and affordability, Kenley has championed a strategic plan that embraces innovation and technology to meet patients where they are.
Other leadership positions Kenley holds include:
- Chairman of the Board, Health Sciences South Carolina
- Fellow, American College of Healthcare Executives
- Board Member, South Carolina Hospital Association
- Board Member, Upstate Alliance
- Board Member, Antum Risk
- Regional Policy Council Member, American Hospital Association
- Anderson University Board of Regents
- Regional Policy Board, American Hospital Association
About AnMed
Founded in 1908, AnMed is an independent, not-for-profit health system serving Upstate South Carolina and northeast Georgia. It is licensed for 648 beds and anchored by AnMed Medical Center, a 495-bed acute-care hospital that has earned the prestigious Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. The system also includes the Oglesby Specialty Inpatient Center, AnMed North Campus and AnMed Rehabilitation Hospital in Anderson, AnMed Cannon in Pickens and more than 60 physician practices. AnMed locations are spread from Easley to Hartwell, Georgia. More than 30 specialties are represented on staff. Named one of the nation’s 153 “Great Community Hospitals” by Becker’s Hospital Review, AnMed has more than 370 physicians and 3,600 employees, and it is Anderson County’s largest employer. The system is one of three in the nation to have earned a 2024 Carolyn Boone Lewis Equity of Care Award from the American Hospital Association.
