Saline Health System names new CEO

BENTON, Ark. (February 7, 2025) –  Saline Memorial Hospital announced today the appointment of Char Boulch as the new chief executive officer (CEO) for Saline Health System, effective February 17. Boulch, who has served as Saline Memorial Hospital's chief nursing officer (CNO) since 2023, brings extensive leadership experience and a deep understanding of the hospital’s operations, staff, and patient needs.

Since joining Saline Memorial Hospital, Boulch has led efforts to enhance patient safety, improve hospital efficiency, and strengthen staff engagement. Under her leadership as CNO, the hospital achieved significant quality improvements, including reducing preventable harm, increasing inpatient and acute rehabilitation admissions, and elevating patient experience scores. She has also played a key role in staff development, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation.

In her role as CEO, Boulch will continue to advance these efforts while further strengthening access to care, expanding key services, and deepening the hospital’s community partnerships. She will also focus on supporting and empowering staff, ensuring they have the resources and leadership needed to provide exceptional care to every patient.

“Char is a proven leader with a strong commitment to patient-centered care and a talent for bringing teams together to deliver high-quality, compassionate care,” said Jen Alderfer, western division president of Lifepoint Health. “Her experience, vision, and dedication to both patients and staff make her an excellent choice to lead Saline Memorial. We are confident that under her leadership, the hospital will continue to advance its mission of making communities healthier.”

Boulch brings more than 22 years of healthcare experience, including eight years in executive leadership. She began her career in healthcare as a patient access clerk, where she developed a deep appreciation for the patient experience and the importance of compassionate, high-quality care. Her dedication to improving patient outcomes and supporting healthcare teams has guided her throughout her career, helping her grow into leadership roles. Prior to her time at Saline Memorial, she held senior nursing leadership positions in multiple hospitals, where she led strategic initiatives to enhance quality, patient care, and operational performance.

“I am honored to continue serving Saline Memorial in this new role,” Boulch said. “Having worked alongside our dedicated team, I’ve seen firsthand the passion and commitment they bring to our patients every day. My focus will be on ensuring they have the support, tools, and environment needed to provide the highest level of care while also strengthening the hospital’s impact in the community.”

Saline Health System, a part of LifePoint Health, is made up of Saline Memorial Hospital, a 177-bed acute care facility, and Saline Clinics, a network of primary care and specialty clinics. The hospital is accredited through The Joint Commission for meeting quality and safety standards, the American College of Cardiology as a Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI, the MBSAQIP as a bariatric surgery center, Optum in the Bariatric Centers of Excellence network, CARF as a rehabilitation center and the AASM as a sleep center. Saline Memorial Hospital is also proud to be recognized as a Leapfrog Grade “A” Hospital for its commitment to patient safety and quality care. For more information about Saline Memorial Hospital, please call 501.776.6000 or visit SalineMemorial.org. For more information about LifePoint Health, visit LifePointHealth.net.