Regional Chief Executive
Covenant Health/Providence
Walter L. Cathey
Regional Chief Executive
Covenant Health/Providence
Walter Cathey’s career with Covenant Health began over 25 years ago serving as a rehab aide, occupational therapist, executive director of rehabilitation and neuroscience services, vice president of Covenant Specialty Hospital, chief operating officer and chief executive officer of Covenant Medical Center and chief executive, Covenant Health, Lubbock market. In June 2021, Providence leadership named Walter as chief executive of the Texas/New Mexico region.
He graduated from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center with his Bachelor of Science in occupational therapy in 2000 and Master of Science in occupational therapy in 2002. Walter returned to Texas Tech University in 2014 to obtain his master’s in business administration with a focus on health care administration. He received his Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) credential in 2021 which is the gold standard for board certification in health management. Walter has received numerous recognitions, including being named one of Becker’s Rising Stars: 25 Healthcare Leaders Under 40 in 2016 and locally by the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce ‘40 under 40’ in 2007.
Walter was instrumental in Covenant Health’s acquisition of Trustpoint Rehabilitation Hospital, creating a joint venture between the two organizations in 2015 with a goal to create one single rehabilitation to provide quality service for the entire community. In 2018, he led the expansion of access to emergency health care for the Lubbock community when Covenant Health acquired two locations of West Texas ER.
When the world halted in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Walter was instrumental in Covenant Health’s creation of the first COVID-19 Infusion Tent in Texas as well as the system’s partnership with the Texas Department of Emergency Medicine to open a COVID-only hospital at Covenant’s 50th and University location which allowed Covenant Medical Center to reopen beds for non-COVID patients. His commitment and leadership, under the most difficult health challenges of this generation, is assurance he will continue to lead the work to improve health care throughout the West Texas/eastern New Mexico region.
Walter and his wife, Bethany, have been married for over 20 years. They have two daughters, Kendall and Caroline, who are part of the Frenship School District. They are also proud owners of their beloved Westie — Raider. The Cathey’s are active members of Lakeridge United Methodist Church.
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