Ascension Wisconsin has taken the next step in identifying key leadership by appointing regional presidents.
Effective August 1, 2016, Travis Andersen will serve as President of the South Region and Debra Standridge will serve as President of the North Region. Ascension Wisconsin's South Region includes Columbia St. Mary's, Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare, and Affinity Health System in the Fox Valley, and the North Region includes the central and northern regions of Ministry Health Care.
Since 2014, Travis has held the role of President and CEO of Columbia St. Mary's in Milwaukee. He has established key relationships across the Milwaukee market, oversaw a new women's hospital renovation, and made significant investments in the ministry's cancer program. Prior to joining Columbia St. Mary's, Travis had been President of St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton since 2007. During his tenure in the Fox Valley, St. Elizabeth Hospital demonstrated strong results in virtually every key performance category, including clinical quality, patient experience, growth, and physician and associate engagement.
Travis received his master's degree in Hospital and Health Administration from the University of Iowa. He graduated from Ascension's Executive Formation and currently is a participant in the Ascension Leadership Academy and is the Chair of the Milwaukee Health Care Partnership.
Since 2008 Debra has served as President of Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare's North Market with responsibility for Elmbrook Memorial, St. Joseph, Wauwatosa, and Brown Deer campuses, as well as Wheaton Franciscan Medical Group in the North Market. She joined Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare in 2001 as Vice President of Operations for Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare – St. Francis Hospital and was appointed President in 2003. Under her leadership, Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare has been consistently recognized for performance excellence, particularly its Women's Health, Orthopedic, Cardiac and Emergency Medicine programs.
Debra previously served as the Service Line Administrator for Cardiology and Intensive Care, Internal Medicine and Family Practice, Geriatrics as well as Oncology at Hurley Medical Center in Flint, Michigan. She holds a master's degree in Public Health and Health Care Administration from the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor.
"Debra and Travis are both highly talented and dynamic leaders who have demonstrated a deep commitment to achieving success as they lead hospital operations in their respective markets," said Tracy Rogers, Chief Operating Officer for Ascension Wisconsin. "They bring the talent and experience necessary to achieve success, and I look forward to working with them as we continue to move forward to create our new structure."
The Regional Presidents are responsible for development and oversight of hospital programs, working together among clinical and non-clinical functions and coordinating services across a diverse geography to provide Healthcare That Works, Healthcare That Is Safe and Healthcare That Leaves No One Behind, for Life. In alignment with Ascension's Mission and Values, they will exercise leadership and management responsibility over all areas, ensuring processes that are designed to deliver compassionate, personalized care and meet the individual needs of patients, physicians, associates and the communities Ascension Wisconsin serves.
