NHC Board Names Steve Flatt as Next CEO – Mike Ussery to Become President, Effective January 1, 2017

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — National HealthCare Corporation (NYSE MKT: NHC), the nation’s oldest publicly traded senior health care company, today announced the appointment of Stephen F. Flatt as CEO and R. Michael Ussery as President and Chief Operating Officer.

As previously announced on May 4, 2016, Robert G. Adams plans to retire as Chief Executive Officer, effective December 31, 2016, but will remain as non-executive Chairman of the Board. Stephen F. Flatt currently serves as President of NHC and Mr. Ussery currently serves as Chief Operating Officer of NHC.

Robert Adams stated, “I am excited to have Steve and Mike increase their leadership positions within the Company and I am confident that NHC will continue to benefit from the strong leadership skills and extensive knowledge both Steve and Mike have with respect to NHC and the senior health care industry.”

Dr. Flatt commented, “I am honored by this appointment. NHC has a wonderful legacy of providing high quality care to America’s seniors. In our new roles, Mike and I will be deeply committed to building upon, and enhancing, that legacy. I believe that by making these appointments now, we have several months to complete a smooth and seamless transition of these roles.”

Mr. Ussery stated, “I am truly humbled by this new opportunity. I look forward to continuing to work with the outstanding partners and leadership of NHC who provide such wonderful service to our patients.”

Dr. Flatt joined NHC in 2005 as Senior Vice President of Development. On January 1, 2009, Dr. Flatt was promoted to the role of NHC’s President. Dr. Flatt currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Council for Post Acute Care (CPAC) and the Boards of Directors of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and Nashville Inner City Ministry. Dr. Flatt is a member of the Nashville Health Care Council. In 2013, he was a member of the Council’s inaugural “Health Care Fellows” Program led by Senator Bill Frist and was also named one of Middle Tennessee’s “Health-Care Heroes” by the Nashville Business Journal. He received his B.A. degree from David Lipscomb College and his M.S. degree and Ph.D. from George Peabody College of Vanderbilt University.

Mr. Ussery has been with the Company since 1980. On January 1, 2009, Mr. Ussery was promoted to Chief Operating Officer of NHC. During his tenure with NHC, he has served as Senior Vice President of Operations, Senior Vice President of the Central Tennessee Region, Regional Vice President, and Administrator in multiple locations. Mr. Ussery also won the top honor of NHC Administrator of the Year in 1989. Mr. Ussery currently serves on the Board of Directors of St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital and its foundation as well as the Board of the Christy Houston Foundation. Mr. Ussery has a B.B.A. from The University of Notre Dame and an M.B.A. from Middle Tennessee State University. View as PDF