Ascension has announced several key leadership updates effective July 1, 2019.
- Anthony R. Tersigni, EdD, FACHE, will transition his responsibilities as Ascension Chief Executive Officer and will continue to serve Ascension as Chair of the Board of Ascension’s newly created healthcare investment fund, Ascension Capital, LLC. He will also provide consultative services to the Ascension Board on an ongoing basis and continue his work with the Global Solidarity Fund. “I am delighted that I will continue to play a role in the transformation of this health ministry,” he said.
- Joseph R. Impicciche, JD, MHA, will assume the responsibility of Transitional President and Chief Executive Officer of Ascension. “Joe is a gifted and talented servant leader, and the Board and I believe his wisdom, experience and steadfast commitment to our Mission are needed at this time to sustain and grow our health ministry,” Dr. Tersigni said. Joe has served as Ascension President and Chief Operating Officer since January of this year, after having served as Executive Vice President and General Counsel since 2004.
- Anthony J. Speranzo will transition from his role as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and will take on a new role as President and Chief Executive Officer of Ascension Capital, LLC. “Tony is a trusted advisor whose deep dedication to our health ministry and tremendous skills in financial stewardship have greatly contributed to Ascension’s success in advancing our Mission since 2002,” Dr. Tersigni said.
- Sister Bernice Coreil, DC, Senior Executive Advisor to the President and CEO, will transition from her role effective December 31, 2019, and begin a new chapter in her life. “She has been a loving mentor, guide and friend to me and so many of our colleagues over her illustrious career,” Dr. Tersigni said.
- A new Ascension Leadership Team will be created. “The Ascension Leadership Team will be a mix of longtime and next-generation leaders whose varied backgrounds, experience and talents will combine to create the type of dynamic and energized executive team needed in our rapidly evolving healthcare environment,” Dr. Tersigni said.
“The Ascension Board of Directors and I have been engaged in a thoughtful and prayerful succession planning process,” Dr. Tersigni said. “Our goal was to ensure we were ready to pass on the leadership of our health ministry to the next generation of leaders. Over the past several years, the Board and I have been working to cultivate a leadership team that is fully prepared to take our health ministry boldly into the future. Our focus on leadership development and formation has created a depth of capable, creative and committed virtuous servant leaders with a firm foundation in our Catholic identity and principles, and I have great confidence in the future of this health ministry as we continue to transform ourselves.
“As I reflect on how far our health ministry has come since we joined together nearly 20 years ago, and more importantly, how Ascension is positioning itself for the future, I am grateful for the opportunity I’ve had to serve as CEO and I’m confident that we will continue our transformation to best meet the needs of the individuals and communities we serve.”
Ascension Leadership Team
The members of the Ascension Leadership Team report to Joseph R. Impicciche, JD, MHA, Transitional President and Chief Executive Officer. Effective July 1, 2019, these leaders will guide all elements of the national health ministry as it focuses on its Advanced Strategic Direction and Mission-inspired Transformation.
Karen Springer will become Executive Vice President, Performance Optimization and Nursing Operations. Karen has responsibility to provide guidance and resources throughout the entire Ascension health ministry to optimize its performance, strengthening its commitment to its Mission. She is responsible for Performance Excellence, Nursing Operations, Support Services and oversight for the Nursing Center of Excellence. She will develop and deploy a strategic plan to provide effective and efficient solutions to enhance and sustain our performance. Karen has led Healthcare Operations since January 2018. She joined Ascension in 2011 as President and Chief Operating Officer of Saint Thomas Health in Nashville. She is a graduate of the Ascension Leadership Academy and was a member of community 10 of the Ascension Executive Ministry Leadership formation program.
Herbert J. Vallier continues to serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer. Herb has responsibility for Ascension’s Human Resources Ministry-wide Function, including its Centers of Expertise devoted to Talent Acquisition, Organization and Talent Effectiveness, Learning and Development, Associate Rewards, and Associate Relations. This includes the Ascension Leader Institute and Ascension Leadership Academy. He also serves as CEO of Ascension SmartHealth Solutions. Herb was a member of the Ascension Health Board of Trustees from 2006-2013 before joining the health ministry in February of that year.
Elizabeth (Liz) Foshage will become Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Liz will lead all aspects of finance including financial planning, financial reporting, treasury functions including cash and debt management, and shared services. Liz has served in financial positions since joining Ascension when it formed in 1999. Liz is a member of the Ascension Leadership Academy, was a member of community 4 of the Ascension Executive Ministry Leadership formation program, and earned her master’s degree in Health Care Mission from Aquinas Institute, St. Louis, in 2016.
Craig Cordola will become Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. In this role Craig will have overall responsibility for the business operations of Ascension in support of the Mission, including maintaining oversight of Ascension Post-Acute Services. Craig joined Ascension in September 2017 to lead Ascension Texas; he will transition his leadership responsibilities as he takes on his new role. Craig previously served as Senior Vice President of Memorial Hermann Health System in southeast Texas and President of its Central/West Region. He will be joining community 5 of the Ascension Leadership Academy.
Eduardo Conrado will become Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy and Innovations Officer. In this new role, Eduardo will continue to be accountable for the development of Ascension’s digital and data strategy and platform for consumer engagement as well as care delivery operations and product innovation, and integrating these capabilities across the enterprise. Additionally, Eduardo will be responsible for Ascension’s corporate strategy and new business development functions, including the development of a sustainable strategy that is transferrable to business actions, a rigorous planning process, and the structuring and negotiation of growth opportunities for Ascension both in North America and internationally. Eduardo served on the Ascension Board of Directors from 2014-2018 before becoming Ascension Executive Vice President and Chief Digital Officer in September 2018. Prior, he was Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer for Motorola Solutions, Inc., Chicago. He will be joining community 5 of the Ascension Leadership Academy.
Christine Kocot McCoy, JD, will become Executive Vice President and General Counsel; she has served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel since January 2019 and earlier as Deputy General Counsel. In this role she is responsible for providing legal counsel to the organization, Board of Directors and executive management, and leading Legal Services for Ascension and its subsidiary organizations. She leads affiliation initiatives; assists with business development activities; and manages outside legal relationships on behalf of Ascension. Chris joined Ascension in 2004, is a graduate of the Ascension Leadership Academy and was a member of community 10 of the Ascension Executive Ministry Leadership formation program.
Joe Cacchione, MD, FACC, will become Executive Vice President, Clinical & Network Services (CNS). CNS will unite clinical and care excellence functions and subsidiaries that are core to Ascension’s healing Mission, as well as managed care services and population health. Bringing these functions and subsidiaries together creates a unique opportunity to position Ascension for the future and to operate in a manner that transforms healthcare and proactively addresses the holistic needs of those Ascension serves. Dr. Cacchione came to Ascension in 2017 from the Cleveland Clinic to lead Ascension Medical Group. He will also transition leadership for Ascension Michigan, where he has serves as Ministry Market Executive, as he takes on his new responsibilities. He will be joining community 5 of the Ascension Leadership Academy.
Nick Ragone will become Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer; he has served as Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer. In this role, he oversees the creation and execution of brand strategy, brand experience, direct-to-consumer marketing and advertising, public relations and thought leadership, social media strategy, internal communications, and consumer access for Ascension and its subsidiaries. Beginning in 2016, he has led the national rebranding of Ascension’s local health systems and sites of care to adopt the unified Ascension name. Nick joined Ascension in 2014, is a member of the Ascension Leadership Academy and was a member of community 12 of the Ascension Executive Ministry Leadership formation program.
Sister Maureen McGuire, DC, continues to serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Mission Integration Officer. She provides strategic leadership to advance the commitments and capabilities that clearly make evident the identity of Ascension as a ministry of the Catholic Church, continuing the healing mission of Jesus with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. Sr. Maureen joined the leadership team of Ascension in 2002 and joined the Daughters of Charity in 1967.
Eric Engler will become Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff. In this role, Eric will continue to provide leadership for the day-to-day operations and strategic evolution of Ascension’s Mission-inspired Transformation program. His responsibilities will include oversight of the Design Teams’ efforts in designing and testing products, validating results, and developing implementation plans. He will also continue to lead the Transformation Office in providing strategic support to the Design Teams, championing agile ways of working, maintaining strategic alignment of the work, managing risks and interdependencies, and monitoring progress and results. As Chief of Staff, Eric will partner with the President and CEO to coordinate the activities of the Ascension Board of Directors, Ascension-wide Leadership Team, Operations Leadership Team and Clinical Leadership Team to ensure alignment, integration and agile decision-making. Eric joined Ascension in 2001, is a graduate of the Ascension Leadership Academy and was a member of community 3 of the Ascension Executive Ministry Leadership formation program.
