The members of the Ascension Leadership Team recently participated in a commission ceremony before more than 500 associates in St. Louis. At the ceremony, the leaders expressed their commitment to fulfilling their calling as leaders in Catholic healthcare and to the Mission, Vision and Values of Ascension.
Sister Rita Ann Teichman, CSJ, representing the Ascension Sponsor, and Mike Zychinski, representing the Ascension Board of Directors, led the commissioning ceremony.
“On behalf of the Ascension Sponsor, I want to express to you what an honor it is to witness this moment in Ascension’s history,” Sr. Rita Ann said. “Our founding sponsors envisioned a strong, vibrant Catholic health ministry. Today we are able to see a new generation of leaders coming forth to help make that vision a reality.”
“The Ascension Board fully supports the virtuous servant leaders we celebrate today,” Mike said.
Anthony R. Tersigni, EdD, FACHE, former President and CEO, symbolically passed on a flame to President and Chief Executive Officer Joseph R. Impicciche, JD, MHA. “When I became president of Ascension, I was given this flame as a symbol of our historic sponsors entrusting the ministry to the next generation of leaders.” It was a symbolic “passing of the torch,” he said. “Now is the time to pass the flame once more. Through this gift, we are symbolically entrusting to the Ascension Leadership Team the future of this ministry – as they are called to lead during these changing times as they form the next generation of leaders who will follow in their footsteps.”
“I certainly recognize and appreciate the significance of this gift,” Joe said. “With this flame comes an enormous responsibility to lead our health ministry as we carry out our Mission to care for all, especially those who are poor and vulnerable. … With God’s grace, the help of the other members of the Ascension Leadership Team, and the help of everyone who is privileged to serve at Ascension, I want to assure you that I will carry this flame as a symbol of all you have entrusted to us.”
In addition to Joe, members of the Ascension Leadership Team are Joseph Cacchione, MD, FACC, Executive Vice President, Clinical & Network Services; Eduardo Conrado, Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy and Innovations Officer; Craig Cordola, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer; Eric Engler, Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff; Elizabeth (Liz) Foshage, CPA, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; Christine Kocot McCoy, Executive Vice President and General Counsel; Sister Maureen McGuire, DC, Executive Vice President and Chief Mission Integration Officer; Nick Ragone, Esq., Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer; Karen Springer, Executive Vice President, Performance Optimization and Nursing Operations; and Herbert Vallier, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, and Chief Executive Officer, Ascension SmartHealth Solutions.
