Grady Memorial Hospital Appoints Steve Pautler as New CEO

Chickasha, OK – April 9, 2025 – Grady Memorial Hospital is excited to announce the appointment of Steve Pautler, DPS, MHA, BSN, FACHE, as its new Chief Executive Officer. With over 25 years of distinguished experience in healthcare leadership, Pautler brings a wealth of expertise in improving patient care, driving organizational growth, and fostering community engagement, particularly in rural and critical access healthcare settings. Steve Pautler’s career has been marked by his exceptional leadership in driving quality improvements, enhancing patient experience, and expanding healthcare access in rural communities. Under his leadership, Grady Memorial Hospital is poised to see significant advancements, including innovative initiatives aimed at enhancing safety, expanding healthcare access and services, and strengthening patient and community relationships.



Heather Witt, Board Chair of Grady Memorial Hospital says that there is complete confidence in their choice of Mr Pautler. "His extensive experience in rural healthcare leadership, his ability to build strong, motivated teams, and his dedication to improving patient outcomes make him the ideal choice to guide our organization into its next chapter.” After narrowing the initial 140+ candidates to the top 27, then top 9, then top 3, Witt says the board had an excellent choice of top quality individuals. In the final round of interviews, key leaders of the community, as well as leadership within the hospital, had a chance to interview candidates and proudly discuss Chickasha and the accomplishments of their communities in Grady County. "Our community showed up strong, and that in itself says something" said Witt.



Pautler has decades of healthcare executive experience in small and rural hospitals throughout the Midwest and in Texas. He began his work in healthcare as an ICU nurse in large teaching hospitals. Before joining Grady Memorial, Pautler served as CEO at Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital, a 25 bed, County-owned Critical Access Hospital with Rural Health Clinics, and Home Health Agency. There, he made significant strides in his rural community including modernization of the facilities, recruitment of new physicians, expansion of specialized care offerings, and implementation of safety protocols for improved patient care quality. He had previously served as Chief Operating Officer at Peterson Health in Kerrville, Texas, where he led initiatives that earned national recognition for employee engagement, patient satisfaction, and operational excellence. He has also held leadership roles at other esteemed institutions such as Christus Spohn Hospital Kleberg, and at Schreiner University as an instructor, adjunct faculty in public health policy, law and ethics. “I am honored to serve as the CEO of Grady Memorial Hospital, and I look forward to continuing the important work of enhancing patient care and expanding services for the communities we serve,” said Mr Pautler, DPS. “Together with this talented team, I am committed to building on the hospital’s legacy of excellence and ensuring Grady Memorial Hospital remains a trusted provider of high-quality healthcare in our community.”



Pautler holds a Doctor of Professional Studies in Bioethics from Albany Medical College, a Master of Health Administration from Washington University, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Saint Louis University. He is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and has received numerous accolades for his contributions to healthcare leadership at both regional and national levels. He is active in healthcare and community organizations, such as the National Rural Health Association, American Hospital Association, American College of Healthcare Executives, National Catholic Bioethics Center, and Missouri Hospital Association. His community involvement includes serving as Vice President on the Board of Directors of Ste. Genevieve Chamber of Commerce, Boy Scouts of America Committee Chairman, and Board Chair for American Red Cross. He is frequently a featured speaker and presenter at conferences and seminars, and remains active in his knowledge, strategy and advocacy for comprehensive leadership and crisis mitigation within the constructs of the rural budget. Steve Pautler and his wife Mary have been married for 33 years, and together have four grown children.



Retiring (current) CEO Kean Spellman believes that Pautler's leadership and sound financial experience will further Grady County's communities and the ever changing healthcare landscape. "Mr. Pautler will certainly build on this hospital's foundation for continued success as a lifeline in our county," Spellman says. "He is not only an inspiring leader with a deep commitment to healthcare excellence, but also a real family man, who understands the very real needs of families." Mr. Pautler, DPS, will officially begin May 1, 2025, with Mr. Spellman "assisting him in whatever capacity necessary for orientation, smooth transition, and seamless handoff." Spellman's official last day in an office will be May 8, 2025, marked by a retirement party in the hospital's Main Lobby from 4-6pm, and open to those who would like to congratulate him.