Le Bonheur head Meri Armour will retire in 2019
Meri Armour, president and CEO of Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, has announced she will retire in 2019.
Armour, who has led the hospital since her appointment in 2006, said she will remain until a new leader is chosen to ensure a seamless transition.
“Being the president and CEO of Le Bonheur has been the privilege of my lifetime,” said the Michigan native who was raised in Georgia.
Before coming to Le Bonheur, she was senior vice president and general manager for Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital and MacDonald Hospital for Women, both in Cleveland, Ohio.
Under her leadership, Le Bonheur has experienced an increase in funding and recruitment, and the hospital has received numerous accolades. The U.S. News & World Report Best Children’s Hospitals survey in 2018 ranked Le Bonheur in eight categories — cardiology and heart surgery, gastroenterology and GI surgery, neonatology, neurology and neurosurgery, nephrology, orthopedics, pulmonology and urology.
“Meri Armour is passionate about doing what’s right for children, and we are truly grateful for her dedication to our mission,” said Michael Ugwueke, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare president and CEO. “She has been a visionary leader for Le Bonheur, and we are proud of the path the hospital is on.”
Dr. Mary McDonald, one of the founders of Le Bonheur’s National Leadership Council, called Armour the hospital’s “greatest champion.”
“She has been the hospital’s greatest champion, advocate and fundraiser,” McDonald said. “She makes everyone understand the importance of investing in Le Bonheur for the future of our children. She has been a catalyst for children’s health in Memphis.”
A search committee has been established and is working with a national search firm, Witt/Kieffer, to find a replacement.
Ron Maxey covers trending news for The Commercial Appeal. Reach him at maxey@commercialappeal.com or follow him on Twitter @rmaxey1.