Bill Butcher, a seasoned healthcare executive with more than 20 years of experience, has been selected as the new executive director of Cougar Health Services (CHS) on the Pullman campus. Chosen through a national search, he will begin his role on June 2.
CHS offers comprehensive services for Pullman students, including a medical clinic, pharmacy, vision clinic, and Counseling and Psychological Services — all located in the Washington Building. The center has maintained continuous accreditation from the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care since 1996.
Butcher brings a broad range of leadership experience, from small health care startups to large integrated systems offering primary, urgent, specialty, hospital, and home-based care. He also has a strong background in the health insurance industry.
Most recently, he served as executive director for the Puget Sound market at Optum/Landmark Health, a provider of home-based medical and behavioral healthcare. His previous roles include regional market director for DispatchHealth, vice president and general manager for CareMore Health Plan of Nevada, and chief strategy officer for Columbia United Providers in Vancouver, Washington.
“His experience with risk management, insurance, billing, and compliance issues set him apart in a strong pool of candidates,” said Sean Greene, associate vice chancellor of Student Affairs. “We are excited to work with him and know he will make a positive impact on how we serve our students.”
Excited to serve students
This will be Butcher’s first role in higher education, and he’s eager to make a difference in the WSU community.
“My past roles have focused on serving defined populations, and the opportunity to support student health and wellness is an exciting next step,” Butcher said. “What could be better than joining the broader WSU team to help students reach their educational goals and prepare for life after graduation?”
Greene noted that Butcher demonstrated a strong understanding of student health care needs and a clear vision for strengthening operations at CHS. Known for his collaborative leadership style, Butcher plans to build strong relationships with student groups, campus stakeholders, and community partners, while fostering a positive, growth-oriented culture among CHS staff.
“Our goal is for Cougar Health Services to deliver exceptional care that supports the health and well-being of our students,” Greene said. “Bill checked all the boxes for what we were looking for in our next executive director.”
Strategic alignment
Butcher’s appointment aligns with the Student Affairs division’s new strategic plan, which prioritizes student well-being, success, and strong campus partnerships. His background in leading integrated health care systems positions him to strengthen services, improve operational efficiency, and foster a culture of care that helps students throughout their time at WSU.
“This is a great opportunity to contribute to student success by ensuring students have access to high-quality, relevant, and convenient health and wellness services,” Butcher said. “I’m looking forward to applying my healthcare leadership experience in this new setting.”
Butcher holds an MBA from the University of Oregon and a bachelor’s degree in biology from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon. He is board certified in health care management as a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives where he is a member and past chapter president.
