Merrifield returns to Aiken Regional as new CEO; O'Loughlin retires

Dede Biles, Aiken Standard, S.C.
·2 min read

Aug. 15—A familiar face has returned to Aiken Regional Medical Centers.

Matthew Merrifield is the hospital's new chief executive officer.

Most recently, he served as CEO for two years at Summerlin Hospital Medical Center, a 485-bed acute care facility in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Immediately prior to that stint, Merrifield was Aiken Regional's chief operating officer for four years.

Merrifield succeeds Jim O'Loughlin, who is retiring after serving as Aiken Regional's CEO since 2019.

The hospital announced the leadership change in a news release issued Monday.

"I'm excited to rejoin the Aiken Regional team and return to the Aiken community," said Merrifield in a prepared statement. "I look forward to building upon the expansion and achievements the team has accomplished in the past few years as we continue to focus on patient-centered care and expanding services and programs throughout Aiken and our surrounding communities."

Merrifield has more than 15 years of experience as a health care administrator.

He earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina in Columbia and a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial engineering from West Virginia University.

O'Loughlin played an integral role in in the expansion of Aiken Regional's service lines, the enhancement in the technologies offered by the hospital and the recruitment of advanced physicians, according to the release.

Aiken Regional received several quality and safety awards during O'Loughlin's tenure. He also helped the hospital "achieve operational success," the release stated.

"I'm grateful for the time that I've had in Aiken and with the Aiken Regional team," said O'Loughlin in a prepared statement. "This hospital and community have been my home for the past 3.5 years. I want to thank each of you for providing me the opportunity to be a part of such a wonderful team, and I look forward to the amazing growth and opportunities you have ahead.

"I'm honored that Matt will be stepping into this role and am confident he is going to make a great CEO," O'Loughlin added.

Before O'Loughlin leaves Aiken Regional and moves to Jacksonville, Florida, he and Merrifield "will work alongside one another" during a transition period, according to the release.