Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals Announces Leadership Transition

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Trustees of Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals (TJUH) today announced the retirement of President and CEO Thomas J. Lewis, effective June 30, 2012. The Boards of TJUH and Jefferson Health System also have affirmed David McQuaid to continue in his current role as Chief Operating Officer and assume the title of President of Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals, effective July 1, 2012.  

"I have been afforded the unique opportunity to lead a world-class academic medical center for more than 20 years," said Thomas J. Lewis.  "Throughout my tenure, the hard work, dedication and devotion of our physicians and employees have helped Jefferson become a leader in healthcare enabling it to increase its ability to treat the most complex healthcare needs as well as treat many of the most medically underserved in our region."

Mr. Lewis began his career as an administrative resident after receiving his MHA from Duke University.  Named President in 1990, Mr. Lewis has led Jefferson to the accomplishment of significant milestones, including:

• Continually improving the US News and World Report ranking of TJUH's programs with  11 Hospital specialties ranked among the best in the nation last year;
• Leading the acquisition of the Wills Eye Hospital to create the Jefferson Hospital for Neuroscience;
• Leading the transition, in 1995, of TJUH from the University into the Jefferson Health System;
• Merging Methodist Hospital with TJUH in 1996 to provide residents of South Philadelphia with a broader range of healthcare services;
• Providing for the development and growth of several premier clinical programs, including the Rothman Institute at Jefferson, the Jefferson Heart Institute, the Jefferson Gastrointestinal Disease Center, the Jefferson Epilepsy Center, JeffNOW, and the NCI-designated Kimmel Cancer Center.

"Tom's true impact can be felt daily walking the halls of our hospitals," said William A. Landman, Chairman of the Board of Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals. "His dedication to the physicians, staff and ultimately, our patients, is best exemplified through his steadfast commitment that patients and their families come first.  His leadership, knowledge and experience will be missed, but we are pleased that he leaves the hospital in good hands."

Mr. Lewis also serves as the Chairman of the Board for the Health Care Improvement Foundation (HCIF), a nonprofit organization that leads healthcare initiatives aimed at improving the safety, outcomes, and care experiences of all patients across the Delaware Valley.  Additionally, he chairs the Board of Philadelphia International Medicine (PIM) and serves on the Boards of Beneficial Savings Bank and The Food Trust. 

David McQuaid has served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals since September 2007, and in that position has been responsible for all day-to-day operations and many of Jefferson's recent strategic initiatives. He previously served as CEO of Durham Regional Hospital, part of the Duke University Health System, and Executive Vice President and COO of Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, part of the Johns Hopkins Health System. Mr. McQuaid holds an MBA from the University of New Hampshire and is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

About Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals
Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals (TJUH) are dedicated to excellence in patient care and education.  It is consistently ranked by US News and World Report among the nation's top hospitals.  It has over 950 licensed acute care beds with a wide range of clinical specialties.  TJUH is one of the few hospitals in the U.S. that is both a level 1 Trauma Center and a federally-designated regional spinal cord injury center.  TJUH patient facilities include: Jefferson Hospital , Jefferson Hospital for Neuroscience and the Methodist Division in South Philadelphia.  Additional out-patient sites are located throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. TJUH is a part of Jefferson Health system and a partner of Thomas Jefferson University.

About Jefferson Health System
Headquartered in Radnor, Pennsylvania, Jefferson Health System's Members have more than 11,300 full-time employees, 2,300 beds and 2,500 medical staff members. Among other accolades, JHS Member hospitals have received national recognition as being among America's best hospitals by U.S. News & World Report and have earned Magnet® recognition for nursing excellence. Additionally, JHS was named by Thomson Reuters as one of the top five large health systems in the United States.  Physicians affiliated with JHS Member hospitals are included in Philadelphia Magazine's annual list of the best local doctors. 

SOURCE Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals