MUNCIE—Brent Batman announced today he will retire as president of Ball Memorial Hospital, effective May 30. Tentative plans call for a replacement to be named prior to that date.

“Brent is a great leader,” said Kelly Stanley, who has worked alongside Batman since January 2001. “More importantly, he is an outstanding person. We will always be grateful to him for providing outstanding leadership. He has left a legacy at Ball Hospital that will endure for many years to come.”

Batman began planning his retirement--for his 62nd birthday On May 30--several months before the departure of former Cardinal Health System CEO Robert Curtis, who left the organization in August 2007.  However, he set those plans aside temporarily to help chart Ball Memorial’s future course.

“When Kelly Stanley assumed his new role as president and CEO of Cardinal Health System, I agreed to stay on as hospital president while we assessed our situation and considered options for assuring and furthering the mission of Ball Memorial Hospital,” Batman said. “ I am pleased that our efforts have resulted in BMH and Blackford Community Hospital becoming Clarian Health Partners. It seems like perfect timing now, following the merger with Clarian, to move forward with my plans for retirement.”

Cardinal Health System and Clarian Health merged on Jan. 1. The merger made Clarian the sole owner of Ball Memorial Hospital and affiliates and expanded Clarian’s statewide presence.

Batman has been president of Ball Memorial since 2001. Prior to that, he served as executive vice president and chief operating officer at St. Luke’s Hospital and Health Network in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

 “Brent made us aware of his plans early on, so we have been working with Clarian to identify individuals who have the interest, experience, ability, and character traits to successfully assume leadership of BMH,” Stanley said. “We are confident that person will soon be identified.”

Batman said he will miss living and working in East Central Indiana.

“The decision to leave this hospital and this community wasn’t easy,” Batman said. “I am proud to have been a part of what BMH has become over the past several years—demonstrating a culture of excellence and caring. With its dedicated staff, physicians and volunteers at the forefront, I am confident BMH will continue to be the region’s health care leader.”

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Ball Memorial Hospital
2401 West University Ave.
Muncie, IN 47303
(765) 747-3111