Gonzales Healthcare Systems appoints La Coste as CEO

Michael La Coste will be joining Gonzales Healthcare Systems as the new CEO after working for Steward Healthcare in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, but he has strong ties to central Texas, and is excited to join the GHS family.

A career in healthcare began in April 2004, where Mr. La Coste served in a leadership capacity at MD Anderson Cancer Center. He then moved upward and onward, and has served as a Chief Operating Officer for the last seven years at hospitals in Brownsville and Laredo, before moving to Fort Lauderdale.

He has seen success in increasing facility volumes, recruiting providers and services, and increasing patient satisfaction. Prior to healthcare, Mr. La Coste served in the US Army and is a decorated veteran. He was honorably discharged as a Captain after serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom and in the Kosovo campaign.

An extensive search was held by an appointed search committee when the CEO position became vacant in early 2022. The final candidates then came to Gonzales to visit with staff, leaders, members of the medical staff, and the Board of Directors. After this thorough search and interview process, Michael La Coste was chosen by the Gonzales Healthcare Systems’ Board of Directors.

He will be relocating to Gonzales over the summer months, and will assume the duties of Chief Executive Officer mid-July 2022.

Gonzales Healthcare Systems is a hospital district located in Gonzales. It is managed by QHR Health out of Nashville, Tennessee. Because of this partnership, GHS has been able to remain an independent healthcare provider, while still having access to the education and resources needed to provide the best local healthcare.