CHICAGO, IL—(Marketwired – Mar 26, 2015) – After a health care leadership career spanning more than 40 years, Presence Health President and CEO Sandra Bruce today announced her intent to retire at the end of the year. A formal search for the next President and CEO of Presence Health is underway.
“On one hand, we are very happy for Sandra and her family as we are sure they are looking forward to spending more time together. On the other hand, Presence Health has been very blessed to have Sandra's leadership since our inception Nov. 1, 2011. Her impact on our Catholic health care ministry and the communities we serve has been significant,” said Guy Wiebking, Chair, Presence Health Board.
Bruce was named President and CEO of Presence Health after serving as Resurrection Health Care's President and CEO since 2008. According to Wiebking, Bruce's contributions to merging Provena Health and Resurrection Health Care resulted in a more integrated health system that is central to Presence Health's continued success and sustainability. Since 2011, Bruce has succeeded at bringing together two similar, large Catholic health care systems to create the largest Catholic health system in Illinois focused on the delivery of high quality, affordable health care with an excellent experience.
“Sandra's legacy will flourish in the healthy communities that Presence Health will create as it continues its journey to transform the delivery of health care for those we are privileged to serve,” Wiebking added.
Under Bruce's leadership, Presence Health developed a long–term strategic plan for the organization. Now in its third year, that plan continues to position Presence Health for great success under health reform. Bruce's keen focus to ensure high quality care has led to Presence Health's strong track record of providing exceptional quality care to thousands of patients every day while also lowering expenses and improving the patient experience. In the last three years, Bruce has created a solid infrastructure to ensure the organization is able to succeed in the new health care marketplace where employers and consumers choose their health care providers in new ways.
A nationally–recognized, influential health care leader, Bruce was appointed to her first CEO position at age 29. She was not only the youngest CEO to be appointed at Berrien General Hospital in Michigan but also the first female CEO in the hospital's history. Throughout her career, she has held key roles for several state and national health care associations, commissions and task forces. She has served on the Illinois Catholic Hospital Association Board and the Catholic Health Association of the United States Board, where she is a past Chair of the Board of Trustees. She is currently the Chair–Elect of the Illinois Hospital Association Board of Trustees and a member of the American Hospital Association's Equity of Care Council. She has earned numerous accolades throughout her illustrious career including being named one of the top 20 most powerful women in Chicago business by Crain's Chicago Business in 2014 and one of the nation's Top 25 Women in Healthcare by Modern Healthcare in 2011.
“As a strong and tireless advocate for the marginalized in our community, Sandra has ensured that Presence Health remains true to the Mission and Values of the organization,” said Sister Mary Elizabeth Imler, Chair of the Corporate Member, which represents Presence Health's five Sponsoring religious congregations. ”We are so grateful for the important role she has played in ensuring a sustainable future for Presence Health and the ministry of Catholic health care in Illinois.”
“I am so proud of everything we have accomplished together as an organization,” said Bruce. ”As Presence Health enters the next phase in its transformation and pivots its focus to keeping populations healthy, I will continue to work closely with the board and executive leadership team to ensure a smooth transition and keep the organization moving forward. The infrastructure we have put in place has positioned Presence Health well for the future.”
About Presence Health
Presence Health is the largest Catholic health system based in Illinois, created in November 2011 through the merger of Provena Health and Resurrection Health Care. With more than 150 sites of care, including 12 hospitals, Presence Health has more than 20,000 employees, 4,000 medical professionals and a revenue base of $2.7 billion.
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