Patricia Maryland Promoted to President of Healthcare Operations and Chief Operating Officer for Ascension Health

ST. LOUIS, Mo., April 22, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Patricia Maryland, Dr.PH, has been promoted to President of Healthcare Operations and Chief Operating Officer for Ascension Health, effective July 1. Dr. Maryland will continue her roles as Michigan Ministry Market Leader for Ascension Health and President and CEO of St. John Providence Health System (SJPHS) in Detroit, a member of Ascension Health, through June 30.

Dr. Maryland has more than 30 years of healthcare leadership experience. Prior to joining St. John Providence in 2008, she served as President of St.Vincent Hospitals and Health Care Services and Regional Chief Operating Officer of St.Vincent Health in Indianapolis, another member of Ascension Health; as President of Sinai-Grace Hospital and Senior Vice President with the Detroit Medical Center; Chief Operating Officer at Sinai-Grace; Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for North Oakland Medical Centers in Pontiac, Mich.; and, several leadership roles with The Cleveland Clinic. Over the past five years she has led SJPHS on a transformational journey to a new way of operating that ensured the viability of the health system during one of the worst economic periods in Michigan history.

Among her recent accomplishments, Dr. Maryland worked in collaboration with physician leaders to lead the development of a new and innovative partnership with The Physician Alliance (TPA), a 2,200-member physician organization whose physician practices span five counties and 1,500 square miles of Southeast Michigan. This dynamic Physician-Hospital Organization, called Partners in Care, aligns the health system and TPA physicians to be successful in managing populations to better outcomes. The model was recognized and rewarded by Blue Cross in Michigan for up to three years of funding in support of developing a "new continuum of care" that will be unique in the marketplace and will position both St. John Providence and The Physician Alliance for the changes brought about by the Affordable Care Act.

In 2005, Dr. Maryland chaired the Citizens' Health Care Working Group; she was selected by the Comptroller General of the United States from a pool of more than 530 candidates. The 15-member Working Group was tasked with developing recommendations for the President and Congress that would result in "Health Care that Works for All Americans." She continues to maintain positive working relationships with government and regulatory agencies at both the state and federal levels.

"Pat's farsighted and thoughtful approach has been instrumental to advancing Ascension Health's Mission in Michigan and reaffirming our dedication to the region," said Robert J. Henkel, FACHE, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ascension Health. "She has motivated her Health Ministry and other Health Ministries in Michigan to aggressively look ahead to determine how to best serve a radically changed Michigan going forward. I look forward to Pat bringing her gifts and experience to her new, broader role in service to our national ministry."

"The Michigan Market of Ascension Health has begun leveraging our Health Ministries within the state to eliminate duplicate costs, pursue statewide contracting and develop enhanced revenue opportunities," Dr. Maryland said. "I'm excited about the opportunity to share such successes and the lessons we've learned in Michigan with my colleagues across Ascension Health, and to contributing in an even more far-reaching way to our common success in serving all persons with special attention to those who are poor and vulnerable."

The search for new leadership to succeed Dr. Maryland in Michigan is under way.

Charles J. Barnett, FACHE, who currently serves as President of Healthcare Operations and Chief Operating Officer for Ascension Health, will transition to a new role as Executive Chairman of the Board of the Seton Healthcare Family in Austin, Texas. He also will work closely with the leadership of Ascension Health Alliance, the parent organization of Ascension Health, to advance the national ministry's transformational agenda, strengthen the effectiveness of local governing boards, and foster development of systems of health services and care for those who are poor and vulnerable that is person-centric and sustainable.

About Ascension Health
Ascension Health (www.ascensionhealth.org) is transforming healthcare by providing the highest quality care to all, with special attention to those who are poor and vulnerable.  Ascension Health, which provided $1.3 billion in care of persons living in poverty and community benefit programs last year, is the nation's largest Catholic and nonprofit health system.  Our Mission-focused Health Ministries employ more than 150,000 associates serving in more than 1,500 locations in 23 states and the District of Columbia.   

About St. John Providence Health System
St. John Providence Health System is one of the largest providers of inpatient care in southeast Michigan and one of the largest employers in metro Detroit. St. John Providence Health System provides comprehensive prevention, primary care and advanced treatment programs with more than 125 medical centers and five hospitals spanning five counties.

SOURCE St. John Providence Health System; Ascension Health