30 Recipients of Becker's Healthcare 2013 Leadership Awards

Molly Gamble and Helen Gregg -
Becker's Healthcare is pleased to announce the 30 recipients of its inaugural Leadership Awards. The awards recognize men and women who have made remarkable contributions and will leave lasting legacies to their respective health systems, hospitals and communities.

Whether it be financial acumen, transparent leadership style or bright ideas for care delivery and payment reform, these awardees have demonstrated valuable traits the healthcare industry needs in times of change and uncertainty. These CEOs, CFOs, CNOs, CIOs and other executive leaders are determined, dedicated and innovative. They have extended their leadership and vision beyond the confines of their organization to improve the well-being of their local communities. We are delighted to honor them for their achievements.

Awardees will each receive a token of appreciation for their hard work and service, along with recognition at the 4th Annual Becker's Hospital Review May Conference, which will take place May 9-11 in Chicago.  

Editor's note: Becker's Healthcare received numerous nominations for the inaugural Leadership Awards. We appreciate the time and thought that went into each nomination, all of which were considered by a panel of editorial team members and healthcare industry experts. The 2013 awardee decisions are final. Becker's Healthcare looks forward to highlighting exemplary careers in healthcare with annual Leadership Awards in years to come.

Joel T. Allison. President and CEO of Baylor Health Care System (Dallas).
Mr. Allison's healthcare management career spans four decades, and he has spent a significant portion of that time with Baylor. He joined the non-profit, faith-based system in 1993 and served as senior executive vice president and COO before assuming his role as president and CEO in 2000.

Throughout his tenure, Mr. Allison has demonstrated a progressive and community-oriented leadership style. Rather than reacting to industry-wide uncertainty, Mr. Allison proactively forged ahead with "Vision 2015," the strategic plan he launched in 2010. Vision 2015 included plans for Baylor to create an accountable care organization — which was accomplished through the launch of Baylor Quality Alliance — and other strategies for patient-centered care models and new information technology.

Mr. Allison has also propelled Baylor to become a more collaborative force in the national healthcare community. Under his leadership, Baylor joined the High Value Healthcare Collaborative, a cooperative project with 14 other top-tier healthcare organizations such as Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic. In that collaborative, Baylor will share a $26 million grant from CMS' Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation with the other organizations to reduce healthcare costs while improving quality of care.

And while Mr. Allison has driven Baylor's relationships with providers across the country, one of the most exciting developments is occurring in Texas. In December 2012, Baylor and Scott & White Healthcare announced their pursuits to combine systems and create Baylor Scott & White Health — a $7.7 billion organization with 42 hospitals, more than 4,000 physicians and the Scott & White Health Plan. The proposed merger would result in the largest non-profit health system in Texas and one of the largest in the country. The organizations are currently in exclusive negotiations to reach a definitive agreement this year, pending regulatory approval.

Baylor has remained fiscally healthy, with $4.1 billion in total operating revenue in fiscal year 2012 and nearly 3 million patient encounters, but Mr. Allison has also ensured the system maintains compassion as a non-profit and faith-based organization. He launched Baylor's Faith in Action Initiatives shortly after the 2010 earthquake in Haiti.

Since its inception, Faith in Action Initiatives has provided relief supplies and equipment to communities affected by natural disasters, including Haiti, Japan, Joplin, Mo., and New York. Faith in Action Initiatives also launched Baylor's Second Life Warehouse, which takes medical supplies and equipment going unused in Baylor facilities and repurposes them for other healthcare facilities, locally and globally.

John Bardis. Founder, Chairman, President and CEO of MedAssets; Founder of Hire Heroes USA (Alpharetta, Ga.).
Mr. Bardis has amassed an exemplary record in healthcare and in community services. This honor recognizes both his achievements and his community efforts, both of which are extraordinary. This is not a recognition of MedAssets, but a recognition of what Mr. Bardis has accomplished.

Mr. Bardis founded MedAssets in June 1990 and has held his numerous roles with the company since that time. In addition to his accomplished background in the healthcare industry, Mr. Bardis has also made noteworthy philanthropic contributions to the greater community. One of his legacies and causes is Hire Heroes USA, a non-profit organization Mr. Bardis founded in 2005.

Hire Heroes is dedicated to creating job opportunities for U.S. military veterans and their spouses, especially those who return wounded or disabled. The organization provides personalized employment training, job search assistance and job placement services at no cost to the veteran or his or her family. Hire Heroes includes a team of military veterans, many of whom have combat experience in Iraq and Afghanistan, and business veterans.

Hire Heroes USA, which partners with United Service Organizations, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and numerous private employers, maintains one of the nation’s most effective programs for veteran transition into the civilian workforce.

In addition to his leadership roles with MedAssets, Mr. Bardis is a prolific athlete. He served as team leader for the U.S. Greco-Roman wrestling team at the 2008 Olympics in Beijiing, China, and has also served for four years the board of USA Wrestling, which is the national governing body for amateur wrestling. Currently, Mr. Bardis sits on the board of the United States Anti-Doping Agency, the official anti-doping agency for Olympic, Pan American and Paralympic sport in the United States.

Mr. Bardis has received a range of recognition throughout his career. In 2012, he was received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee. He also received the first annual Community Leadership Award from Modern Healthcare, which awards top healthcare executives for charitable outreach work performed individually or through their organizations.

David Bernd. CEO of Sentara Healthcare (Norfolk, Va.).
Mr. Bernd has been with Sentara Healthcare since 1973. He was named executive vice president and COO in 1985, and in 1994, was appointed president and CEO of the multi-billion-dollar health system.

Throughout his tenure, Mr. Bernd has been a forward-thinking leader. As early as 1992, he began investigating the possibility of electronic health records, and quickly adopted the technology when it became available. All of the hospitals in the system have or are scheduled to have EHR technology, which supports improvement to quality of care while reducing costs. During the implementation of new technology, Mr. Bernd's administration has emphasized the importance of physician alignment, working under the phrase "Better Together" to ensure technology rollouts go smoothly.

Mr. Bernd is also a serious advocate for patient safety. Under his watch, Sentara became the first system in the nation to use an electronic ICU monitoring system, making the ICU safer for patients and more cost-effective for the health system. In 2006, the Leapfrog Hospital Quality and Safety Survey ranked Sentara Healthcare among the top 59 hospitals in the nation. In recognition of his work to improve patient safety, Mr. Bernd received the American Hospital Association's Quest for Quality prize in 2004 and the 2005 John M. Eisenberg Patient Safety and Quality award from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and the National Quality Forum.   

In addition to his work as president and CEO, Mr. Bernd spends a significant amount of time sharing his expertise. As a lecturer at Stanford University, William and Mary and Virginia Commonwealth University, he mentors the next generation of healthcare executives. He also presents frequently at healthcare association gatherings, teaching others the strategic value of quality, patient safety and efficient delivery of care.  

During Mr. Bernd's time as CEO, Sentara has given back to the communities it serves through sponsoring educational and preventive health forums and providing free medical screenings. In 2011, Sentara provided more than $160.8 million worth of uncompensated care.  

Alan Channing. President and CEO of Sinai Health System (Chicago).
Throughout his career, Mr. Channing has increased the financial stability of urban hospitals while improving their quality, expanding their medical staffs, recruiting new board members and enhancing their philanthropic activities. Mr. Channing currently serves as president and CEO of Sinai Health System, comprised of Mount Sinai Hospital, Holy Cross Hospital, Sinai Children's Hospital, Urban Sinai Health Institute and Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital in Chicago.

Mr. Channing's time with Sinai Health System has been marked by his unwavering dedication to the well-being of the communities his hospitals serve. Under Mr. Channing's leadership, the Sinai Urban Health Institute partnered with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois on a program to fight diabetes and childhood obesity on Chicago's west side. He has also advocated for better care on a state and national level, presenting testimony to Congress and several state legislatures regarding hospitals and access to care.

Mr. Channing also recently increased Sinai's presence in Chicago when Holy Cross Hospital on Chicago's southwest side became a member of Sinai Health System. This allowed the two non-profits to merge resources, expanding the patient base while allowing economies of scale to aid in financial stability.

Despite financial challenges facing the hospital, Mr. Channing remains committed to Sinai Health's mission of improving the health of community members while serving as a national model for urban healthcare. He has authored several works on hospital management, and he lectures frequently as a nationally recognized expert on urban safety-net teaching hospitals.

Marcia Dial. CEO of Scotland County Hospital (Memphis, Mo.).
Ms. Dial has served as CEO of Scotland County Hospital since 1988. During that time, she has transformed the small rural hospital into a model healthcare system focused on providing the best care possible to the three counties it serves.

When Ms. Dial became CEO, the medical staff consisted of well-liked but overworked family practice physicians. Ms. Dial has been instrumental in attracting highly qualified physicians to the hospital, and today Scotland County Hospital has 25 physicians offering a range of medical services.

Ms. Dial also turned the hospital around financially. Scotland County Hospital had gross revenues of about $4 million when she took helm; the hospital is now a $30-million operation. Her grant writing abilities have brought in millions and have supported several expansion projects.

Ms. Dial's financial and fundraising abilities have also allowed the hospital to launch public health initiatives in the community. One major expansion undertaken by the hospital included the construction of a library and conference center for public use. The hospital also opened three rural health clinics in its neighboring communities, and those facilities offer services for fees on a sliding scale to help the uninsured and underinsured get the healthcare they need.

In 2011, Ms. Dial was recognized with Missouri Hospital Association's prestigious Visionary Leadership Award. Ms. Dial's leadership extends further through her service on several rural healthcare boards and committees, including the Missouri Hospital Association, Missouri Association of Rural Health Clinics, Missouri Rural Health Association, Heartland Physicians Group and the National Rural Health Association.

Tom Dolan, PhD. President and CEO of American College of Healthcare Executives (Chicago, Ill.).
Dr. Dolan will retire in May from the American College of Healthcare Executives after having served as president and CEO for the past 22 years. He has spent his career teaching, mentoring and leading, and has had significant influence on executives, healthcare professionals and hospitals throughout the country.

Throughout his tenure Dr. Dolan has reshaped healthcare delivery by expanding the knowledge and capabilities of hospital and health system executives, and emphasizing professional development and service among the members of ACHE. He has worked to ensure the tens of thousands of ACHE members lead their hospitals so the best care possible to every patient.

Dr. Dolan has championed diversity in healthcare throughout his time as CEO. He has said that promoting healthcare diversity is "simply the right thing to do," and has long recognized that a multicultural society requires multicultural leaders. Dr. Dolan initiated the ACHE's first study on racial comparisons of career attainment, which led to diversity initiatives including policy statements, internships, scholarships and partnerships with minority healthcare executive organizations. The Thomas C. Dolan Executive Diversity Program has been named in his honor.

Dr. Dolan has served as chair of the American Society of Association Executives, the Association of University Programs in Health Administration, the Board of Overseers of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and the Institute for Diversity in Health Management. Dr. Dolan is currently president of the International Hospital Federation and serves on the Association Committee of 100 of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Michael Dowling. President and CEO of North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System (Manhasset, N.Y.).
Mr. Dowling, whose lengthy career has included top positions with Blue Cross Blue Shield, New York State Department of Health, Education and Human Services as well as Fordham University Graduate School of Social Services, has been with North-Shore-LIJ Health system since 1995. He has served as president and CEO of the integrated health system, one of the nation's largest, since 2002.

Mr. Dowling's time with North Shore-LIJ has been marked by action, expanding and collaborating to improve services offered at North Shore-LIJ's 16 hospitals and various other care settings. He partnered with GE Medical Systems and Harvard University School of Public Health to form the Center for Learning and Innovation, an internal university for North Shore-LIJ staff to improve their professional skills and create a culture of learning.

Under Mr. Dowling's leadership, the health system has entered into strategic alliances with the Cleveland Clinic, Hackensack University Medical Center and Montefiore Medical Center to increase innovation and improve patient care. Mr. Dowling's tenure has also led to growth at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, which houses North Shore-LIJ's research efforts, including those on immunology, neuroscience and Alzheimer's disease. The Feinstein Institute ranks in the top 5 percent of all institutions that receive funding from the National Institutes of Health.

In addition to his role with North Shore-LIJ, Mr. Dowling also serves as a board member of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and is a board member and Fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine. He is also a past chairman and current board member of the National Center for Healthcare Leadership, the Greater New York Hospital Association, the Healthcare Association of New York State and the League of Voluntary Hospitals of New York.

Edward Eckenhoff. Founder, Former President and CEO of National Rehabilitation Hospital (Washington, D.C.).
After identifying a need in the Washington, D.C., area for rehabilitation services, Mr. Eckenhoff founded the National Rehabilitation Hospital in 1984. He served as president and CEO of the hospital until his retirement last October. He currently serves as president emeritus of the hospital.

In 1963, while in college, Mr. Eckenhoff suffered a spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed from the waist down. The personal experience drove his desire to improve healthcare for all persons with disabilities. Before coming to Washington, D.C., Mr. Eckenhoff was vice president and administrator at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.

Mr. Eckenhoff has overseen the growth of the hospital and the development of its 40 affiliated outpatient rehabilitation sites in the D.C. area. Under his leadership, the NRH had nearly 40,000 inpatient visits and two million outpatient visits.

Mr. Eckenhoff developed the Christoph Ruesch Research Center, a major research hub focused on biomechanics, rehabilitation research and post-acute innovation. He also forged NRH's academic relationship with Georgetown University Hospital and its clinical relationship with the National Institutes of Health to aid the hospital's research efforts.

Along with his work at the hospital, Mr. Eckenhoff has worked tirelessly to improve rehabilitation efforts for the nation's wounded soldiers. He led NRH to form a partnership with the United States military to help improve rehabilitation of injured service members. In 2007, President Bush appointed Mr. Eckenhoff to the Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors to help evaluate rehabilitation programs and services and make recommendations for their improvement.

Mr. Eckenhoff's advocacy for the disabled earned him the Citation of a Layman for Distinguished Service in 1988, which is the most prestigious American Medical Association award given to a non-physician.

Teri Fontenot. President and CEO of Woman's Hospital (Baton Rouge, La.).
Ms. Fontenot currently serves as president and CEO of 350-bed Woman's Hospital, the largest birthing and neonatal intensive care facility in Louisiana and the only freestanding, non-profit women's hospital in the country.

During her 17 years of leadership Ms. Fontenot has focused on the growth and development of Woman's Hospital. In 2005, realizing the hospital's space and parking were inadequate, she saw an opportunity to launch an expansion that would not only correct the existing issues but improve the level of care the hospital could provide. In 2012, the hospital moved to a new, state-of-the-art facility on 85 acres designed to be both technologically advanced and welcoming to women and their families. A large portion of the campus grounds are undeveloped, allowing for future expansion to meet community needs.

Ms. Fontenot has also helped establish Woman's Hospital as a hub for women's healthcare, as the hospital now includes on-site and mobile mammography, bariatric surgery, orthopedic care, colonoscopies and rehabilitation services.

In addition to her work with the hospital, Ms. Fontenot was the 2012 chair of the American Hospital Association Board of Trustees. She also served a six-year term on the Advisory Committee on Research on Women's Health for the National Institutes of Health, and was chair of the board of the Louisiana Hospital Association in 2002. Ms. Fontenot has won numerous awards, including the Louisiana Hospital Association's Golden Pelican President's Award in 2010, the ACHE Service Award in 2009, and inclusion on Becker's Hospital Review's list of the 40 most powerful people in healthcare.  

Robert Garrett. President and CEO of Hackensack (N.J.) University Medical Center.
Mr. Garrett, who has been with Hackensack University Medical Center since 1981, has led the organization as president and CEO since 2009. He has worked to expand the health system and increase the quality of care offered.

Mr. Garrett has overseen expansion and collaboration at HackensackUMC. In 2012, HackensackUMC formed a strategic alliance with North Shore-LIJ Health System, which allows HackensackUMC and North Shore-LIJ to establish cooperative quality and patient safety initiatives, prepare for new care models and develop joint information technology programs. HackensackUMC also has alliances with other hospitals in the region, extending its influence and improving access to care. The system is also scheduled to complete several multimillion-dollar renovations of existing facilities.

Mr. Garrett has also overseen strategic, clinical and academic affiliations that strengthened the Hackensack University Health Network. One of the most innovative is Hackensack's 2012 affiliation with MinuteClinic, the retail healthcare division of CVS Caremark, to expand care options for the network's patients. He has also been a leader in ACO development — HackensackUMC's ACO was selected to participate in the Medicare Shared Savings Program in spring 2012, making it one of the first 27 Medicare ACOs to be approved.

Mr. Garrett leads through open collaboration and dialogue with hospital staff. He meets each week with eight to 10 employees to discuss new hospital initiatives and strategies, ensuring any hospital decisions are communicated clearly and promptly to hospital staff. He also hosts regular roundtable discussions with 10 to 12 physicians to discuss major hospital plans.

Steven Goldstein. President and CEO of Strong Memorial Hospital (Rochester, N.Y.).
Mr. Goldstein currently serves as president and CEO of Strong Memorial Hospital, as well as vice president for the University of Rochester Medical Center, president and CEO for Highland Hospital in Rochester, president for long-term care for the University of Rochester Medical Center and the president of Strong Partners Health System. He directs daily operations while preparing the healthcare system to succeed in a managed care environment.

Across all the hospitals he leads, Mr. Goldstein keeps the focus on patient quality. Collaborations with several organizations — the Joint Commission, the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services, the New York State Department of Health, and others — to monitor and report key clinical outcomes, and patient satisfaction scores help ensure the high level of care Mr. Goldstein strives for.

In 2009, Mr. Goldstein became part of the American Hospital Association's 27-member board of trustees. During the initial development and implementation of the healthcare reform law, Mr. Goldstein and the rest of the board were responsible for detailing strategies hospitals could take to achieve savings in the healthcare delivery system.

George Halvorson. Chairman and CEO of Kaiser Permanente (Oakland, Calif.).
Mr. Halvorson has served as chairman and CEO of Kaiser Permanente since 2002 and he will retire at the end of this year. The health system is comprised of 37 hospitals in eight states and includes one of the country's largest non-profit health plans. Under Mr. Halvorson's leadership, the healthcare system has expanded to serve more than nine million people.

Prior to joining Kaiser Permanente, Mr. Halvorson was president and CEO of Minneapolis-based HealthPartners for nearly 18 years. With more than 30 years of health care management experience, he also held senior management positions with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.

Mr. Halvorson has been a promoter of technology throughout his tenure at Kaiser Permanente. He was the driving factor behind the system's implementation of electronic health records to improve efficiency and quality of care. In recognition of his achievements, he received the CEO IT Achievement Award from Modern Healthcare/Health Information and Management Systems Society. He also received the Louis Sullivan Award for leadership and achievements in advancing healthcare quality from the Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange.

Mr. Halvorson's leadership extends beyond Kaiser Permanente. He is an active board member of the National Committee for Quality Assurance, America's Health Insurance Plans and the Alliance of Community Health Plans, as well as the chair of the International Federation of Health Plans. He has also advised the governments of Uganda, Great Britain, Jamaica and Russia on healthcare policy and financing issues.

Mr. Halverson has written several books to aid others in navigating the healthcare reform law. They include: "Health Care Will Not Reform Itself: A User's Guide to Refocusing and Reforming American Health Care," "Health Care Reform Now!," "Health Care Co-ops in Uganda," "Strong Medicine," and "Epidemic of Care."

C. Martin Harris, MD, MBA. CIO and Chairman of the Information Technology Division at Cleveland Clinic.
In his current roles as CIO and chairman of the IT Division at Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Harris works to fulfill Cleveland Clinic's mission of transforming healthcare and delivering greater value to patients through effective adaptation of information technology.

Under Dr. Harris' leadership, Cleveland Clinic has embraced technology to facilitate and improve care delivery and the patient experience. Cleveland Clinic's personal health records allow patients to see their test results, medications, and other information, enabling them to take more control of their healthcare. Dr. Harris helped to launch and currently serves as executive director for e-Cleveland Clinic, a web-based program that offers specialist consults and second opinions from a Cleveland Clinic physician to patients over the Internet.

He is a nationally recognized expert in the field of electronic health management. The U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services recruited him to help draft the electronic health records mandate in the economic stimulus package. Microsoft Corporation also tapped him to guide them on an innovative pilot in disease management.

Dr. Harris is on the advisory board for the Association of American Medical Colleges' Better Health 2010 committee, a judge for the case studies in medicine for The Computerworld Smithsonian Honors Program, and a frequent presenter at national meetings on healthcare and technology. He also is a member of the American Medical Informatics Association and the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society.

Hoag Orthopedic Institute's Leadership Team (Irvine, Calif.).
Carlos Prietto, MD, CEO; Dereesa Reid, COO; Robert Gorab, MD, CMO; Alan Beyer, MD, executive medical director and James Cailouette, MD, surgeon in chief are the leaders behind Hoag Orthopedic Institute. Commonly referred to as the "gang of five," these leaders have driven this physician-owned and -operated facility to success. Hoag Orthopedic Institute is in the top 5 percent of hospitals for the volume of orthopedic cases in the United States, and the hospital has only been open for three years.

Hoag Orthopedic Institute is one of the only specialty hospitals in the United States caring exclusively for orthopedic patients. The organization includes a 70-bed hospital, two ambulatory surgery centers, more than 80 board-certified orthopedic surgeons and more than 300 physicians on the medical staff. It is the largest orthopedic facility on the West coast, and physicians have performed more than 16,000 orthopedic cases throughout its facilities.

Hoag Orthopedic Institute also includes nurse navigators, which guide patients from the moment they make a decision to pursue surgery to their physical therapy and ongoing rehabilitative care. In its short history, Hoag Orthopedic Institute has also demonstrated consistent drive in its pursuit of high-quality and cost-efficient care. Last March, Hoag Orthopedic Institute announced its participation in a bundled payment model for knee replacement surgeries with McKesson and Aetna.

In 2011, Hoag Orthopedic Institute's hospital was selected as one of the first three hospitals to participate in a patient registry database that tracks long-term patient outcomes by the California Joint Replacement Registry. Becker's Hospital Review named Hoag Orthopedic Institute and its affiliate, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach, Calif., to its list of "101 Hospitals With Great Orthopedic Programs" in 2012.

Donna Katen-Bahensky. President and CEO of University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics (Madison).
Ms. Katen-Bahensky joined the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, part of UW Health and one of the nation's leading academic medical centers, in February of 2008. Under her leadership, the hospital has received national recognition for its quality of care and dedicated medical staff.

Ms. Katen-Bahensky has led the hospital to enhanced fiscal stability, while ensuring the hospital continued to care for the states' neediest patients. UW Hospital and Clinics is the state's top provider for uncompensated care, providing more than $45 million in fiscal year 2011. Recently, UW Hospital and Clinics' fiscal achievements were recognized when its bond rating was upgraded.

Ms. Katen-Bahensky has also positioned UW Hospital and Clinics well for the future, as the healthcare giant continues to expand its reach. This past spring, UW Hospital and Clinics broke ground for a $200 million healthcare campus, which will highlight the hospital's strategic emphasis on wellness and healthy lifestyles. UW Hospital and Clinics was also successful in its application to become a Medicare ACO starting this year. As an active, engaged CEO, Ms. Katen-Bahensky has also been a leading advocate for building a patient- and family-centered care culture at UW Hospital and Clinics. She views this growing culture as part of her lasting legacy.

Quality care has also been an important part of Ms. Katen-Bahensky's tenure. The hospital has been a pioneer in implementing electronic medical records, and is one of just a handful of HIMSS Stage 7 facilities in the country. Under Ms. Katen-Bahensky's leadership, the hospital has also seen its rankings by outside organizations improve, most recently being named the best hospital in Wisconsin by U.S. News & World Report. In addition, UW Hospital and Clinics is a Magnet Hospital for nursing excellence and was recently named one of the first comprehensive stroke centers in the country.

Ms. Katen-Bahensky has also worked to provide the best workplace for her employees. UW Hospital and Clinics was named by Working Mother Magazine this year, for the fourth consecutive year, as one of the top employers in any industry for hourly workers. This award is a testament to the commitment Ms. Katen-Bahensky has made to make UW Hospital and Clinics an employer of choice locally and nationally.

Ms. Katen-Bahensky also volunteers in her community. She has had a 26-year relationship with the American Heart Association, having most recently been a member on its Midwest Affiliate Board of Directors and Vision for Volunteerism Task Force. She has also served as a board member for multiple community non-profit organizations, including United Way, Ronald McDonald House and American Red Cross. In 2008, Ms. Katen-Bahensky was named a "Family Champion" by Working Mother Magazine and was made a lifetime member in the Girl Scouts of the USA for her contributions to the program.

Charles Lauer. Author, Speaker and Former Publisher of Modern Healthcare (Chicago).
For 25 years, Charles "Chuck" Lauer served as publisher of Modern Healthcare. He helped stabilize the magazine, bringing it from an unprofitable, monthly publication to one of the top healthcare news weeklies. In addition to his role as publisher, Mr. Lauer has also spent time as the American Medical Association's director of communications and has held a variety of executive management roles with several publishing companies.

Mr. Lauer is known for his empathetic and energetic attitude toward the healthcare industry, particularly hospitals. A background in journalism has left him skilled at asking broad-minded questions that leave hospital executives thinking. Now an author, public speaker and career coach, Mr. Lauer speaks to at least one healthcare CEO per day and maintains a firm grasp on industry trends and concerns. He continually encourages hospital leaders to approach the tumultuous industry with ingenuity and dedication.

Mr. Lauer has authored three books on leadership: "Soar With the Eagles," "Reach for the Stars" and "Decency." Additionally, he regularly pens columns and op-eds about healthcare reform and leadership for Becker's Hospital Review. Mr. Lauer received the Becker's Healthcare 2012 Leadership Award.

Bill Leaver. President and CEO of UnityPoint Health (Des Moines, Iowa).
Mr. Leaver has been CEO of UnityPoint Health, previously Iowa Health System, since 2008, guiding the system through unprecedented growth and its emergence as a leader in healthcare delivery reform. During his tenure, the system has pursued a solitary vision: Providing the best outcome for every patient, every time.

To this end, Mr. Leaver oversaw the integration of information technologies throughout the health system that enable affiliates to manage population health and implement best practices in clinical care. He also led the creation of Advanced Medical teams, which are led by care navigators who work proactively with the chronically ill to keep patients healthier and out of the hospital, and to ensure a continuity of care from the hospital to the home.

He also expanded UnityPoint's patient population with the establishment of a physician affiliate that includes more than 900 providers operating in more than 280 clinics in Iowa and central Illinois, most recently adding affiliates in Peoria and Quincy, Ill.  

Mr. Leaver recognized the need for healthcare reform early on, and helped shape a variety of government reforms. UnityPoint Health was one of the first Pioneer ACO’s.   Its current ACO, including Pioneer,  serves more than 225,000 patients in Iowa and Illinois.

A member of many civic and professional associations, he serves on the Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois board of directors, Principal Charity Classic board of directors and the University of Michigan's Griffith Leadership Center Advisory Board. He is a member of the Iowa Business Council, Health Management Academy, Greater Des Moines Committee and Greater Des Moines Partnership Chair's Circle.

Stephen Mansfield, PhD. President and CEO of Methodist Health System (Dallas).
Since Dr. Mansfield was appointed president and CEO of Methodist Health System in 2006, the system doubled in size and had some of the most profitable years in its history.

Under Dr. Mansfield's leadership, Methodist Health has expanded rapidly, increasing both capacity and services offered. Several new hospitals opened, including a specialized rehabilitation hospital and two hospitals that are joint ventures among Methodist Health System, Nueterra Healthcare and area physicians. Dr. Mansfield has also overseen several expansions of existing facilities, from the 2012 expansion of the Women's Pavilion at Methodist Mansfield to the $135 million expansion of Methodist Dallas Medical Center, and the construction of Methodist Charlton Medical Center, which is scheduled to be completed by summer 2014.

Even during the system's swift growth and financial success, Dr. Mansfield remains committed to Methodist's mission of providing compassionate and quality care to every patient in a changing healthcare environment. The hospital system has a congregational nursing program, which provides nurses who work in partnership with churches in underserved areas for preventive health services and education. The system also runs two outpatient teaching clinics to provide preventive and ambulatory care to underserved populations. Both clinics offer innovative programs like MedAssist, which provides prescription medication at no cost to patients while social workers negotiate for long-term assistance.

Dr. Mansfield's leadership style can best be described as inspirational, guiding his staff to achieve their personal and professional best. He leads with the belief that hopefulness is a key tenant of success, and that pursuit of common, worthy goals can overcome all obstacles.

Tom Martin. Administrator of Lincoln County Public Hospital District and Lincoln Hospital (Davenport, Wash.).
Mr. Martin started with Lincoln County Public Hospital District in 1987, and became administrator in 1997, embracing the challenge of running a rural critical access health system. Lincoln Hospital is a critical access hospital located 36 miles west of Spokane, Wash.

Throughout his time with the hospital district, Mr. Martin has worked steadfastly to improve healthcare in rural Washington. He pioneered the first formal public health and hospital partnership in the state, which was designed to plan and provide public health services to Lincoln County residents. Under his leadership, Lincoln County Public Hospital District created a Rural Healthcare Quality Network to measure and report on hospital quality, That network has been expanded to include all critical access hospitals in Washington state.

Mr. Martin also spearheaded a partnership with local cardiologists and an urban hospital to develop Qualis Health, an award-winning emergency protocol for heart attack and stroke patients. Qualis Health is now used in hospitals across Washington.

During his tenure with Lincoln Country Public Hospital District, Mr. Martin has focused on building relationships, both with his staff and with community members, to ensure the best care possible for the people served by this rural health system. The three pillars of the organization — Respect, Collaboration and Excellence — are what influence Mr. Martin's leadership.

Sharon O'Keefe, RN. President of University of Chicago Medical Center.
Sharon O'Keefe, a nationally recognized authority on hospital operations, healthcare quality, patient satisfaction and employee engagement, has served as president of the University of Chicago Medical Center since 2011. Before then, Ms. O'Keefe served as president of Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Ill, since April 2009. She also previously served as COO at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis for seven years.

Ms. O'Keefe's background as a registered nurse has made her an advocate for patient care. Her focus on the patient is palpable, as she drives enthusiasm among hospital staff and raises the level of care at every hospital she has led. She has also worked closely with staff at the University of Chicago Medical Center to find process improvements to deliver the best care in the best way.

Additionally, Ms. O'Keefe's strong business acumen and solid management skills have allowed improved care without sacrificing financial stability. During her tenure, revenues at the University of Chicago have been on the rise, despite construction projects, increased research spending and charity care and falling government reimbursements.  

Ms. O'Keefe's combination of patient-centered care and business savvy is exemplified by the University of Chicago Medicine's Center for Care and Discovery, which opened under her leadership in February. The $700 million, 1.2 million-square-foot specialty-care hospital combines world-class clinical practices and researchers from the University of Chicago with an economically sound facility that has created thousands of jobs in the community.

In recognition of her achievements improving care quality at the hospitals she has led, Ms. O'Keefe was appointed as an examiner for the U.S. Department of Commerce's Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in 2005. She is also currently a member of the National Institutes of Health Advisory Board for Clinical Research.

Ms. O'Keefe makes a point of sharing her time and expertise with the broader Chicago community. She currently sits on the board of directors for the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago and Loyola University of Chicago School of Nursing. She is also currently the co-chair of the American Heart Association's "Go Red for Women" campaign in Chicago.  

In addition to her charitable causes and leadership role with the hospital, Ms. O'Keefe is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of female executives, mentoring young professionals through administrative fellow programs at the University of Chicago Medicine.

Ann Pumpian. Senior Vice President of Finance and CFO of Sharp HealthCare (San Diego).
Ms. Pumpian began her career at Sharp HealthCare, a non-profit integrated regional delivery system, in 1984 as the government and contracts manager. Over the years, she served as Director of Contracts, CFO and consultant to the Sharp Health Plan, and vice president of managed care. Ms. Pumpian currently serves as the senior vice president of finance and CFO for Sharp HealthCare, responsible for oversight of the system's financial health.

Throughout her career, Ms. Pumpian has worked under the belief that hospitals and health systems must find ways to enhance their continuum of care and design models to reduce readmissions and stay in the black. She knows a positive hospital-physician relationship is essential to both of those initiatives, and Ms. Pumpian has fostered this belief during her tenure. The Sharp Experience, a program designed to attract and retain top physicians, reflects this idea.

Ms. Pumpian received the Sharp HealthCare Leadership Award in 1991 and the Young Women Christian Association's Tribute to Women in Industry Award in 1987. She also serves on the board of directors of Sharp Health Plan.

Bertram Reese. Senior Vice President and CIO of Sentara Healthcare (Norfolk, Va.).
Mr. Reese is senior vice president and CIO of Sentara Healthcare, an integrated system with net revenues of $3.9 billion. Mr. Reese is responsible for the information technology, process improvement, information and supply chain management for the health system.

Under Mr. Reese's leadership, the information technology team at Sentara has used the latest technology and innovations to provide exceptional patient care while creating efficiencies that save money. Most recently this group, guided by Mr. Reese, has implemented the electronic health record across the enterprise, resulting in significant financial savings and improved clinical outcomes. Mr. Reese was instrumental in the adaptation, realizing the initial costs of setting up the system were worth the long-term savings the system would undoubtedly provide. During the implementation, he worked closely with physician leaders, ensuring a smooth transition to the new system.

Additionally, Mr. Reese is an internationally recognized expert in healthcare technology. He has been a member of delegations to the Soviet Republic, South Africa and Japan to discuss the role of technology in the delivery of healthcare. He is also a full professor to the Medical College of Virginia and has given lectures at various universities throughout the country.

Valinda Rutledge. Former President of Jewish Hospital (Louisville, Ky.); Former Director of Patient Care Models Group for CMS Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation.
During her more than 30 years in healthcare, Ms. Rutledge has worked in both the public and private sector, most recently leading Jewish Hospital and serving as the Louisville market leader for parent company KentuckyOne Health. Before that, Ms. Rutledge served as the director of the Patient Care Models Group for CMS Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation. In all her positions, Ms. Rutledge has displayed a passion for expanding access to healthcare and a flair for innovation.  

Prior to her two latest roles, Ms. Rutledge served as president and CEO of Gastonia, N.C.-based CaroMont Health. During her tenure, the health system developed innovative delivery and payment programs. These include a collaboration with Blue Cross Blue Shield for a bundled knee payment program, the launch of CaroMont's Triple AIM programs to increase community wellness, and the development of accountable care organizations to better prepare for the future of healthcare.

Ms. Rutledge's passion for the industry and her forward-thinking outlook fueled her decision to become the director of the Patient Care Models Group for CMS Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation in 2011. During her tenure, she led the development of the national bundled payment initiative.

In her most recent position, Ms. Rutledge focused on the growth of KentuckyOne Health and Jewish Hospital. Under her watch, Jewish Hospital expanded and updated its operating rooms and announced the now-underway construction of a $5 million hybrid operating room and resuscitation center, expanding and improving the care settings and services available to the community.

Nancy Schlichting. President and CEO of Henry Ford Health System (Detroit).
Ms. Schlichting joined Henry Ford Health System, a nationally recognized $4 billion healthcare organization with 23,000 employees, in 1998 as senior vice president and chief administrative officer. She served as COO of Henry Ford Health System and CEO of Henry Ford Hospital prior to becoming president and CEO of the system in 2003. 

In her nearly 20-year career at the helm of the health system, Ms. Schlichting has spearheaded many projects and advancements. Arguably, though, the biggest change to Henry Ford Health System under her tenure came last October, when the system signed a letter of intent to merge with Royal Oak, Mich.-based Beaumont Health System. The idea to merge was partly driven by Ms. Schlichting's passion to provide easier, more accessible and more integrated care for the system's patients.

Ms. Schlichting believes that great people are the key to providing great healthcare, and therefore, is committed to providing employees with everything they need to become the best possible healthcare professionals. She also has a strong commitment to diversity, overseeing several initiatives to foster diversity throughout the system.  

A hallmark of Ms. Schlichting's career is working with community, legislative and business leaders to improve health services while providing affordable care. Ms. Schlichting serves on numerous community, professional and corporate boards that reflect both her professional and personal interests. 

Ms. Schlichting has won many awards for her leadership, including the Grassroots Champion Award from the American Hospital Association and the Michigan Health and Hospital Association's Health Care Leadership Award. Ms. Schlichting was also named to Becker's Hospital Review's 2012 list of "120 Women Hospital and Health System Leaders to Know" and its 2012 list of "50 of the Most Powerful People in Healthcare."

Nancy Semerdjian, MBA, RN. CNO of NorthShore University HeathSystem (Evanston, Ill.).

Ms. Semerdjian, a registered nurse, currently serves as CNO of NorthShore University HealthSystem, a comprehensive, fully integrated delivery system serving the Chicago metropolitan area.

Throughout Ms. Semerdjian's career, she has focused on delivering the best care possible. She leads the nurses at NorthShore with a relationship-based care model, promoting nurses' personal connection with each and every patient. This model promotes clinical and emotional safety, and provides increased patient satisfaction.

Ms. Semerdjian also pushes nurses on her staff to stay on top of the latest medical developments and to become collaborate with physicians in providing exceptional patient care. Realizing nurses work the closest with patients, Ms. Semerdjian also encourages nurses to share insights and observations with physicians. Making nurses both empowered and accountable raises the level of care at NorthShore.

Ms. Semerdjian has succeeded at improving patient care at NorthShore. In 2012, the system saw positive results across NorthShore's Nursing Care Quality Indicators, designed as bench markers to foster continuous improvement. For example, the goal of keeping patient falls in the lower quartile of the National Database for Nursing Quality Indicators.

Wayne Smith. Chairman, President and CEO of Community Health Systems (Nashville, Tenn.).
Mr. Smith is chairman of the board, president and CEO of Community Health Systems, which includes 135 acute-care hospitals in non-urban areas. Since he joined the company as CEO in 1997, CHS has grown from a small, rural hospital company with 36 facilities to become the second largest publicly traded hospital management company in the United States. Today, the organization includes hospitals in 29 states and an aggregate of more than 20,000 beds.

Under Mr. Smith's leadership, the company has earned a positive reputation for turning struggling community hospitals into strong, viable assets. Even in challenging market conditions, CHS has consistently invested capital resources, successfully recruited physicians, improved clinical quality and increased efficiency in its affiliated hospitals.

Recently, CHS announced a strategic alliance with the Cleveland Clinic. The two organizations are working together to address the dynamics of a changing and challenging industry through efforts to enhance the quality of patient care, improve access to health services and reduce costs.

Mr. Smith's leadership and experience has made him one of the healthcare industry's most highly regarded leaders. He has been named a top CEO in the healthcare facilities sector by Institutional Investor magazine for nine years. Mr. Smith is also the immediate past chairman of the Federation of American Hospitals.

In his own backyard, Smith has been recognized for his contributions to the regional business community. He currently serves as chairman of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and on the board of the Nashville Health Care Council, for which he is also a past chairman.

Glenn Steele Jr., MD, PhD. President and CEO of Geisinger Health System (Danville, Pa.).
A hospital executive with extensive academic experience, Dr. Steele held prestigious professorships and top healthcare executive roles before joining Geisinger Health System in 2001.

As a leader who strives to advance healthcare through education and research, Dr. Steele is widely recognized for his investigations into the treatment of primary and metastatic liver cancer and colorectal cancer surgery. A prolific writer, he is the author or co-author of more than 460 scientific and professional articles, and serves on the editorial board of numerous prominent medical journals. Ample opportunities for professional education for healthcare executives can be found on Geisinger's Danville campus: Under Dr. Steele's leadership, Geisinger holds innovation conferences throughout the year for senior level healthcare executives, with topics focused on care delivery strategies and best practices.  

In 2010, Dr. Steele received the American Hospital Association's Health Research & Education Trust Award, which recognizes visionary leadership in healthcare and honors those who leverage research and education to make a dramatic impact in policy and practice.

Most recently, Dr. Steele has concentrated on innovations in healthcare financing and payment reform. Last year he produced industry-leading innovation on physician compensation, developing a model that allows fee-for-service productivity to coexist with financial incentives to improve quality and efficiency. In 2011, Dr. Steele was awarded the Healthcare Financial Management Association's Board of Directors' Award, which recognizes significant positive contributions to the profession of healthcare, the financing of healthcare services and benefits society related to healthcare.

Dr. Steele cares deeply about the health of his community beyond the walls of Geisinger facilities. Earlier this year, Geisinger received a grant to explore the health implications of hydraulic fracturing in the region to help inform policymakers.

Paul Summerside, MMM, MD. Board Chairperson at Aurora BayCare Medical Center; CMO and Chief Compliance Officer of BayCare Clinic (Green Bay, Wis.).
Dr. Summerside's notion that quality of healthcare is more important than price alone caused the hospital he worked for to end its contract with him in 1999. Undaunted, and determined to start a practice focusing on providing the best care possible, Dr. Summerside and dozens of other like-minded physicians, including Bruce Bressler, MD, Richard Harrison, MD, Per Anderas, MD, Jack Swelstad, MD, and Robert Zimmerman, MD, founded and developed Aurora BayCare Medical Center in 2001. Dr. Summerside currently leads the organization as chairman of the board, CMO and chief compliance officer.

Dr. Summerside's commitment to quality has been evident throughout the medical center's short but robust history. The hospital became the first in the country to guarantee service in the ED within 33 minutes, and it began tracking complications, infection rates and other quality-related outcomes years before it became standard practice in hospitals. Now, the hospital is ranked by CMS among the top 10 percent of U.S. hospitals for several specialties.

Dr. Summerside leads Aurora BayCare by demonstrating the same unwavering commitment to high-quality patient care that sparked the hospital's creation. As a practicing physician, he is able to exercise his commitment to care daily. He has also shown that quality and profitability are not mutually exclusive, as Aurora BayCare is one of the most profitable hospitals in the region.

Chris Van Gorder. President and CEO of Scripps Health (San Diego).
A former police officer, Mr. Van Gorder began his career in healthcare as a hospital security guard. He currently serves as president and CEO of Scripps Health, overseeing an integrated health system that includes five acute-care hospital campuses, dozens of outpatient centers and a regional home health service.

When Mr. Van Gorder took the helm, Scripps was losing $15 million a year, and employee and physician morale was low. Mr. Van Gorder offered a transparent management style and assembled a talented executive team to streamline business operations and focus on internal efficiencies, physician relations and workplace culture. Scripps is now doubling its outpatient neighborhood locations and expanding all hospital campuses.   In October 2010, Mr. Van Gorder announced a new direction for Scripps. In anticipation of dramatic change in healthcare, he created a horizontally matrixed management structure to identify and significantly reduce unnecessary variation in patient care and healthcare operations. The new "One Scripps" approach led to more than $70 million in performance improvements in the first year.  

Mr. Van Gorder maintains a passion for community service through avid volunteer work. He currently serves as a reserve commander in the San Diego County sheriff's department search and rescue unit, as a licensed emergency medical technician and as an instructor for the American Red Cross. Recently, he was named the San Diego County sheriff department's Volunteer of the Year. He has received other awards for his volunteer work including the Maltese Cross Award from the San Diego County Fire Chiefs, the MedAssets Outstanding Humanitarian Award and the ACHE's Exemplary Service Award, among others.

Allen Weiss, MD. President and CEO of NCH Healthcare System (Naples, Fla.).  
Dr. Weiss was appointed president and CEO of two-hospital NCH Healthcare System in 2006 after serving as president for more than six years. He is responsible for guiding the growth and development of the 715-bed, two-hospital integrated healthcare system. Dr. Weiss' main interest lies in developing the three core competencies of the NCH Healthcare System — demonstrated quality, operational efficiency and fiscal responsibility.

Under Dr. Weiss' leadership, the hospital has expanded to provide the best care possible for its patients. In 2006, the Briggs Health Pavilion opened containing both state-of-the-art wellness and rehabilitation facilities. In 2011, the system solidified its reputation for cardiac excellence with the opening of the Naples Heart Institute, with dedicated physicians to treat cardiovascular and peripheral vascular disease in one facility.

His success is seen in the awards and recognition NCH Healthcare has received under his tenure. NCH has been named twice by U. S. News & World Report as best in the region, and it is also in the top 10 percent in cardiac surgery according to the Society for Cardiac Surgery. HealthGrades has ranked NCH Healthcare in the top 5 percent for quality and safety for six years. In 2012, the system became a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, the first member of the network in Florida and the southeast region of the United States.

Dr. Weiss has also shared his knowledge and expertise with policymakers at the state and national level. He led the Quality committee of the Healthy Florida Foundation that subsequently shared recommendations for evidence-based medicine to transform healthcare. In July 2005, Dr. Weiss spoke in front of the U.S. House Ways and Means Health Subsection concerning the use of information technology in healthcare.

Additionally, Dr. Weiss currently serves on the boards of the Florida Hospital Association and Regional Advisory Council of the American Hospital Association. In 2012 he was named one of the Top 100 outstanding physician leaders of healthcare systems by Becker's Hospital Review, and he has been invited to be a keynote speaker at various industry meetings throughout the country.

Sister Margaret Wright. Former President and CEO of Palos Community Hospital (Palos Heights, Ill.).
Sister Wright resigned in March from her position as president and CEO of Palos Community Hospital, the fourth-largest independent hospital in the Chicago metropolitan area. She had served the growing hospital for 35 years.

During her tenure, Sister Wright led the hospital to financial stability. Facing many competing hospitals, Sister Wright's leadership and her firm stance with insurance companies kept the hospital consistently in the black. Between 2007 and 2011, revenue climbed nearly 6 percent, to $359 million.

During her tenure, she developed a reputation both for taking a keen interest in her employees' personal lives as well as keeping staff and physicians accountable for care delivered in her hospital. This strategy made her a well-respected and effective leader throughout her time with Palos.

She also oversaw the expansion of the hospital. The latest expansion, the 228-bed Hospitaller Pavilion — named for Ms. Wright's order, the Religious Hospitallers of St. Joseph, based in Montreal — features new operating suites, an intensive care unit, private rooms and a center designed for outpatients and prepping patients for procedures.


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