Nation’s Largest Catholic and Nonprofit Health System Implements Innovative Organizational Structure
ST. LOUIS, Jan. 9, 2012–Ascension Health, the nation’s largest Catholic and nonprofit healthcare system, is operating under a new organizational structure that includes a new parent holding company, Ascension Health Alliance. The change took effect January 1, 2012.
Ascension Health Alliance is led by Anthony R. Tersigni, former President and CEO of Ascension Health.
“We recognize that healthcare has changed dramatically since Ascension Health was formed 12 years ago,” Tersigni said. “That rapid change is continuing, and in order to carry out our Mission to serve all with special attention to those who are poor and vulnerable – as well as meet our long-term goals to lead the transformation of healthcare – we needed to structure our organization to operate effectively in a changing environment. This new structure will increase clarity, focus and accountability.”
The new organization structure was designed to accomplish several goals:
- Increase the focus and accountability on the delivery of a full range of services to meet the needs of communities through Ascension Health.
“Our goal is to deliver person-centered care with a consistent exceptional experience,” said Tersigni. “In addition to operating the best hospitals and clinics, that means becoming a lifetime partner with individuals in maintaining and improving their health, delivering health information and care when and how they want it. Ascension Health will now be more closely focused on the delivery of care.”
- Organize high-performing, optimized services to support the needs of Ascension Health and Ascension Health Care Network, the organization’s innovative joint venture that provides an alternative funding source for the purchase of hospitals, ensuring that Catholic hospitals are able to maintain their Catholic identity.
Many of these service organizations currently exist. They were part of Ascension Health, but are now subsidiaries of Ascension Health Alliance. They include, for example, TriMedx, a medical engineering company; Ascension Health Ventures, a strategic healthcare venture fund; and Catholic Healthcare Investment Management Company, a firm responsible for the investment and oversight of assets on behalf of Ascension Health, its affiliates and like-minded partners. These services will continue to benefit Ascension Health and have the potential to serve others.
“By restructuring our organization, these subsidiaries now have greater independence and focus,” Tersigni explained. “We believe they have tremendous potential to help others in Catholic healthcare and better support our Mission. In addition, we will be forming new subsidiaries focused on providing services in other areas.”
- Provide a solutions incubator capacity that would build on the transformational development activities already under way, and take on additional responsibilities to develop innovative relationships, provide evaluative research capabilities and create new opportunities that support the Mission.
“We have had great success in developing innovative approaches that can be incorporated into our day-to-day operations,” Tersigni said. “We want to continue to build on that and look for other organizations we can work with in these areas.”
- Build Ascension Health Care Network (AHCN) to fulfill its unique role in strengthening Catholic healthcare.
“Our goal to strengthen Catholic healthcare remains unchanged,” said Tersigni. “In addition to AHCN, we have designed the Alliance to be welcoming to other Catholic healthcare organizations that want to join with us.”
These four areas will work cooperatively with the support of Ascension Health Alliance. The Alliance is focused on enhancing the value of each area, helping coordinate activities and creating new value for the ministry.
Work on designing the new structure began last year as Ascension Health focused on refining its Strategic Direction, the organization’s guide to help it lead the transformation of healthcare by 2020. During much of the year the Ascension Health Board of Trustees and Sponsor worked with executive management and outside consultants to develop a structure that would make sense for the future needs of the ministry.
Tersigni has served as President and CEO of Ascension Health since 2004.
Robert J. Henkel succeeds Tersigni as President and CEO of Ascension Health. He has served as President of Healthcare Operations and Chief Operating Officer for Ascension Health since 2004. Henkel will lead the health system, which provides care in more than 1,400 locations in 21 states, including 80 hospitals. The Health Ministries of Ascension Health employ more than 121,000 associates. Last year, Ascension Health provided $1.2 billion in care of persons living in poverty and community benefit.
Henkel, who also serves as an Executive Vice President of Ascension Health Alliance, will announce his Ascension Health leadership team in the near future.
Also joining Tersigni in the newly formed Office of the President at Ascension Health Alliance are:
Sister Bernice Coreil, Daughter of Charity, Senior Executive Advisor to the President, Ascension Health Alliance—Sr. Bernice has held a similar position at Ascension Health since its founding. She has extensive experience as a healthcare executive and in 2003 received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Catholic Health Association.
John D. Doyle, Executive Vice President, Ascension Health Alliance, President and CEO of AH Holdings—AH Holdings is comprised of a portfolio of companies designed to add value to the organization by providing services to the Health Ministries of Ascension Health as well as other health systems in the United States and internationally. Doyle, along with other executives, will also oversee incubation of transformational solutions and innovative relationships that have the potential to accelerate accomplishment of Ascension Health’s Strategic Direction. He previously served as Ascension Health’s Chief Strategy Officer and General Manager, Transformational Development,
Susan Huber, Vice President, Governance and Sponsor Relations, Ascension Health Alliance—Huber supports Ascension Health Ministries, the Sponsor of Ascension Health Alliance, as well as the Ascension Health Alliance Board of Trustees. She will coordinate all aspects of Sponsor and Board meetings, including agenda items, materials and meeting logistics. She previously held a similar position for Ascension Health.
Joseph R. Impicciche, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Ascension Health Alliance—Impicciche provides legal counsel to Ascension Health Alliance, its leadership, and governance as well as coordinating legal services for major projects and transactions and manages outside legal relationships. He was previously Senior Vice President, Legal Services and General Counsel for Ascension Health.
Susan Nestor Levy, Executive Vice President, Ascension Health Alliance, President and CEO, Ascension Health Global Mission—Levy has responsibility for international mission outreach efforts by Ascension Health Alliance that are designed to improve the health and living status of targeted global populations. She previously served as Chief Advocacy Officer for Ascension Health and Executive Director of Seton Institute.
Sister Maureen McGuire, Daughter of Charity, Executive Vice President, Mission Integration, Ascension Health Alliance—Sr. Maureen provides leadership in creating strategy and initiatives in Mission and values integration, workplace spirituality, ethics, leadership formation and spiritual care. She also will continue to serve as Senior Vice President, Mission Integration, for Ascension Health.
David Pryor, MD, Executive Vice President, Ascension Health Alliance, President and CEO, Clinical Holdings—Pryor is responsible for providing leadership to initiatives that will benefit from his expertise in clinical excellence. Clinical Holdings will provide services to assist physicians in running their practices and build the capacity to provide person-centered care within population health management. He has previously served as Chief Medical Officer of Ascension Health.
Anthony J. Speranzo, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Ascension Health Alliance—Speranzo will lead all finance aspects of Ascension Health Alliance, including treasury functions, debt management, investments and mergers and acquisitions. He previously served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Ascension Health.
“We are excited about what the future holds,” Tersigni said. “We are confident that this organizational structure provides a strong foundation for furthering our ministry.”
