Daniel E. Neufelder has been appointed President and CEO of Ministry Health Care, in Wisconsin, effective December 1, 2014. Neufelder succeeds Nick Desien, who has been in the role since 1999. Desien will continue in his position of Ascension Ministry Market Leader for Wisconsin, Kansas and Oklahoma. In this role, Desien is accountable for providing leadership, support and direction related to the strategic positioning and operational performance of both Ministry Health Care and Columbia St. Mary’s in Wisconsin, as well as the health ministries in Kansas and Oklahoma.
“Dan has demonstrated a strong dedication to our promise of delivering person-centered care, while keeping our organization focused on operational and performance excellence every day,” said Desien. “Dan’s expertise will strengthen our capabilities as a value-based provider in the new healthcare marketplace and support Ministry and Ascension’s culture of high reliability in both quality and safety.”
Ministry Health Care has grown to include 15 hospitals, 45 clinics and more than 12,000 associates including 650 physicians and advanced practice clinicians, serving more than 1.1 million people across Wisconsin and eastern Minnesota. In 2013, Ministry Health Care joined Ascension.
“Dan brings a wealth of experience to his new role, as well as a commitment to Ascension’s Mission of serving all persons with special attention to those who are poor and vulnerable,” said Patricia Maryland, Dr. PH, Ascension Health President, Healthcare Operations and Chief Operating Officer. “I’m looking forward to his even greater contributions to the continued success of Ministry Health Care and our integrated national health ministry.”
Neufelder has served as senior vice president – chief operating officer for Ministry Health Care the past two years. Prior to that appointment, since 2006, he was president and chief executive officer of Affinity Health System, a part of Ministry Health Care. Before joining Affinity, Neufelder served for 12 years as the executive vice president and chief operating officer of Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana. He previously served the Community Health Network of Indianapolis for 10 years, with the last four of those years as the executive vice president and chief operating officer of Community Hospital East. Earlier in his career, he held positions with St. Vincent Hospital and Healthcare System in Indianapolis, and was a healthcare management consultant and auditor with Ernst & Young. Neufelder received his bachelor's degree from the University of Southern Indiana in 1979 and his master's degree in business administration from the University of Indianapolis in 1989.
“Dan Neufelder is a natural fit to succeed Nick Desien as President and CEO of Ministry. Dan brings a successful track record in operational, cultural and financial leadership,” said Bill Werner, chair of the Ministry Health Care Board of Directors. “Through the years, Nick positioned Ministry well to proactively influence the transformation of healthcare across Wisconsin and beyond. There is great synergy between Nick and Dan, which is reflected in Ministry’s many achievements including being ranked among the top 20 percent of healthcare systems in the country, five Ministry hospitals ranked in the top 10 in Medicare’s Hospital Value Based Purchasing (VBP) program in the state and Ministry’s recognition as one of the 2014 Healthiest 100 Workplaces in America.”
Neufelder is active in professional organizations and has served in leadership capacities with the Healthcare Financial Management Association and the American College of Healthcare Executives in which he has achieved Fellow status and was named Senior Executive of the Year for Wisconsin in 2012. Neufelder is also the immediate Past Chairman of the Wisconsin Hospital Association Board of Directors. He is currently participating in the Ascension Leadership Academy.
