Sparrow Health System CEO to retire

Alyssa Rege -

Sparrow Health System President and CEO Dennis Swan revealed plans March 29 to retire on or before Oct. 1, according to the Lansing State Journal.

Mr. Swan was appointed to the role in June 2005. He previously served as interim president of the Lansing, Mich.-based five-hospital system from November 2004 until June 2005, and as the organization's senior vice president of operations and COO.

Sparrow Health employees were reportedly notified of Mr. Swan's impending departure March 28. Officials plan to create a search committee to find Mr. Swan's replacement within the next few weeks.

"It's been an honor and privilege working to advance the region's health and healthcare with such a strong and committed team of board members, physicians, nurses, caregivers, volunteers and leaders," Mr. Swan said in a news release obtained by the Lansing State Journal.  "Everyone here is dedicated to providing quality healthcare and service excellence for every patient. Now is the ideal time for Sparrow to begin the succession process."

One of the health system's hospitals has recently come under fire for reported infection control issues at the facility. CMS sent Carson City, Mich.-based Sparrow Carson Hospital a Medicare contract termination notice in February following an investigation by federal regulators that found the hospital out of compliance with infection control standards. Roughly 10 days after CMS issued the notice, Sparrow Carson Hospital CEO Matthew Thompson departed from the organization. Soon after, federal investigators released a report stating the hospital failed to maintain an infection control program and properly document surgical site infections between January and October 2017.

Earlier in March, the hospital settled a whistle-blower lawsuit with a former nurse anesthetist who filed a lawsuit in February against the system, alleging he was fired after raising concerns regarding a surgeon colleague's infection control practices.

To access the Lansing State Journal report, click here.

Editor's note: Becker's Hospital Review reached out to Sparrow Health System for comment and will update the article as more information becomes available.

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