Rivers Health COO retiring from health care, Bastin named interim COO

Keith Biddle, chief operating officer (COO) for Rivers Health (RH), a member of Marshall Health Network (MHN), has announced his retirement from health care, effective mid-January 2024.

Biddle, who has a Master of Divinity degree, has accepted a position as administrative pastor at River Cities Community Church, where he is a member. He will begin his duties there in January.

Biddle was named Rivers Health COO following the hospital’s joining Marshall Health Network, formerly Mountain Health Network, in 2022. Over the past 14 months, Biddle led the hospital through important changes to improve patient care for the Rivers Health community. Under his leadership, new providers, including otolaryngologist, Emad Ali, MD, podiatrist Yuna Farah-Peterson, MD and neurologist Micaela Owens, DO, were brought on board. In addition, specialty groups such as Marshall Health gastroenterologists, U.S. Acute Care Solutions Emergency Physicians, Radiology Inc., and Commonwealth Anesthesia were contracted to provide services at Rivers Health.

To improve access to care, Biddle oversaw an agreement with Mason County EMS that provides dedicated ambulance coverage for transfers to and from Rivers Health and the opening of a new Family Medicine and Diabetes Care office in Gallipolis.

Campus improvements during Biddle’s tenure include the soon-to-be completed renovation of the pharmacy, the renovation of the hospital gift shop, and the reopening of the Sleep Disorders Center. Biddle also supported the hospital’s rebrand to Rivers Health.

“Keith has been the right leader to guide Rivers Health through the first year of the hospital’s integration with Marshall Health Network,” said Kevin Yingling, RPh, MD, FACP, CEO of Marshall Health Network. “We are truly appreciative of his stepping in to take this role, as well as his more than three decades of service to Cabell Huntington Hospital, Rivers Health and Marshall Health Network. We wish him the best and offer our prayers to him and his church as they continue their important work in the Huntington community.”

Prior to joining River’s Health, Keith held several leadership roles with Cabell Huntington Hospital and MHN during his 35-year tenure. He served in vice president roles overseeing administration, planning, environmental services and guest services. In 2015, he developed and led Cabell Huntington’s Lean program, then led system integration responsibilities from 2019 to 2022.

“I have enjoyed my time at Rivers Health. It is truly a special place,” Biddle said. “The board of directors, physicians and staff are deeply committed to their patients and this community. I greatly appreciate their support during my tenure. I will miss working with them, but I will be watching as they continue to grow and make changes to improve the health and well-being of their community.”

Shawn Bastin, executive director of ancillary, professional and support services for RH, has been named interim COO, and will lead Rivers Health during the search for a new COO.  Prior to joining PVH, Bastin had been a member of the Cabell Huntington Hospital leadership team since 2007. He holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Charleston and Master of Physical Therapy from West Virginia University.

“In his current role, Shawn oversees Rivers Health operations and I’m confident he will serve as a steady guide as we begin the process of identifying a permanent COO for Rivers Health,” Yingling said.