Mission Health Appoints James B. Bross President and CEO of Angel Medical Center

FRANKLIN, N.C., June 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Mission Health is pleased to announce the appointment of James B. Bross as President and CEO of Angel Medical Center, effective July 9th.  Bross, an executive with more than 28 years of experience in hospital, health plan and healthcare consulting, will assume overall leadership and strategic vision and strategy for the hospital.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120618/CL26185 )

Bross comes to Angel Medical Center, an affiliate of Mission Health, from Applied Revenue Analytics in Temple, TX. Serving as Senior Director of Client Services, Bross led business development strategies - specializing in improving hospitals around the country with financial analytics.

Prior to joining Applied Revenue Analytics, Bross served as the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Vice President of Operations of Rutherford Hospital in Rutherfordton, NC. While at Rutherford Hospital, Bross achieved consistent and substantial overall performance improvement over a ten year period. Thomson Reuters ranked Rutherford Hospital a Top 100 Hospital in 2008 and a Top 100 Hospital Performance Improvement Leader for three years prior. Before this position, Bross served as Rutherford Hospital's Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for 17 years.

"Jim comes to Angel Medical Center with an extensive background in healthcare leadership," said Ronald A. Paulus, MD, President and CEO of Mission Health. "During his tenure at Rutherford Hospital, Jim implemented positive changes on both the financial and patient experience sides of the facility. This type of expertise will serve Angel Medical Center and Mission Health well as we continue our effort to our BIG(GER) Aim: getting each patient to the desired outcome, without harm, without waste and with an exceptional experience."

Bross earned his B.A. in Accounting, Business Administration and Psychology from Southern Wesleyan University in Central, SC. Later, he earned his Master of Business Administration from The Citadel in Charleston, SC. He is an American College of Health Care Executives Member and an advanced member of the Healthcare Financial Management Association.

"I am honored to be a part of such an exceptional hospital and health system," commented Bross. "I have lived in western North Carolina for quite some time and both understand and appreciate the communities we serve. I look forward to playing a part in both Angel Medical Center's and Mission Health's success by providing the best possible healthcare experience for our patients in western North Carolina. It also means a lot to be part of the only health system exclusively focused on and governed exclusively by the citizens of western North Carolina."

About Mission Health

Mission Health, based in Asheville, NC, is the state's sixth largest health system and the tertiary care regional referral center for western NC and the adjoining region. In 2012, Mission Health was named by Thomson Reuters as one of the top 15 health systems in the nation – the only health system in North Carolina to receive this recognition.

Founded in 1885, Mission Health is the region's only not-for-profit, independent community hospital system governed and managed exclusively in Western North Carolina.  Mission operates five hospitals, numerous out-patient and surgery centers, and the region's only dedicated Level II trauma center. Its medical staff consists of more than 750 physicians, and is certified in over 50 medical specialties and sub-specialties. Centers of excellence include heart, stroke care and neurosciences, and pediatrics. Mission Hospital, the system's flagship hospital, is licensed for 730 beds and is the busiest surgical hospital in North Carolina. Other Mission hospitals include Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Spruce Pine, McDowell Hospital in Marion, and Mission Children's Hospital in Asheville. With approximately 8,800 employees and 700 volunteers, Mission Health is dedicated solely to serving and improving the health and wellness of the people of Western North Carolina.

SOURCE Mission Health