Ascension has named two experienced healthcare leaders to serve as Ministry Market Executives for its healthcare ministries in Illinois and Michigan.
Polly Davenport, D.Sc, MBA, RN, FACHE, has been selected to fill the role of Senior Vice President, Ascension, and Ministry Market Executive, Ascension Illinois. Carol Schmidt, FACHE, will serve as Senior Vice President, Ascension, and Ministry Market Executive, Ascension Michigan.
“Ascension is fortunate to have two such extraordinary, highly skilled and effective servant leaders in these two markets to help guide our associates and clinicians in providing compassionate, personalized care,” said Craig Cordola, MBA, MHA, FACHE, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Ascension. “They will lead our efforts in creating exceptional experiences for the consumers whom we are privileged to serve across Michigan and the Chicagoland area.”
About Polly Davenport
Polly Davenport has been serving as Ministry Market Executive for Ascension Illinois on an interim basis since Oct. 1, 2022. “During that time, Polly has proven to be a highly skilled and effective leader for the Ministry Market, demonstrating her strength as a servant leader and her commitment to our Mission and to those who serve across Ascension Illinois,” Craig said.
Polly had served as Chief Operating Officer for Ascension Illinois since April. She joined AMITA Health, Ascension’s former joint operating agreement with AdventHealth serving residents of the greater Chicago area, in 2019 to serve as Senior Vice President/Chief Regional Officer – Northwest Region. Earlier, Polly held senior positions including President and Chief Operations Officer for CHI St. Vincent in Arkansas, CEO of the North Shore Region of Ochsner Health System in Louisiana, and CEO and Chief Nursing Executive positions while serving in Texas.
She earned a Doctor of Science in Health Services Administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, a Master of Business Administration from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.
About Carol Schmidt
Carol Schmidt has served as Senior Vice President, Ascension, and Chief Operating Officer for Ascension Medical Group (AMG) and Ascension’s clinical initiatives since 2017, working closely with the President of AMG and clinical and operational leaders across the ministry. She has been part of Ascension since 1997 and has led teams and functions dedicated to improving operational performance to ensure the sustainability of the ministry, including serving as Chief Operating Officer for Ascension Sacred Heart in Florida from 2010-2012.
Carol earned a Master’s in Health Administration from Webster University in St. Louis. She completed the Ascension Executive Ministry Leadership formation program in 2005 and is a member of the Ascension Leadership Academy.
