The Michigan Health Ministries of Ascension Health announced that Kathy A. Young, FACHE, has been appointed Borgess Health President and CEO.

 

Young succeeds former Borgess Health CEO Paul Spaude, who retired on Oct. 2 after nine years with the health system. Young will begin her new role in early 2015.

“Kathy is a dynamic and gifted executive who will be an effective leader for Borgess and a strong addition to the Michigan Ministries’ senior leadership team,” said Gwen MacKenzie, senior vice president, Ascension Health/Michigan Market Leader. “With our large geographic footprint across the state, including 13 acute care hospitals and hundreds of other sites of care, Ascension Health is the leading healthcare provider in Michigan. Borgess is an important part of our statewide presence, and Kathy’s expertise in quality improvement and financial planning will strengthen our capabilities at both Borgess and Ascension Health Michigan as a value-based provider.”

”Kathy has a deep commitment to Ascension’s Mission of serving all persons with special attention to those who are poor and vulnerable,” said Patricia Maryland, Ascension Health president, healthcare operations and chief operating officer. “As Kathy begins her new role, she exemplifies Ascension’s efforts to develop and nurture talented leaders to take on greater responsibilities across our integrated national health ministry.”

Prior to joining Borgess Health, Young served since 2008 in Kokomo, Indiana, as President of St. Joseph Hospital, a member of St. Vincent Health, which is also part of Ascension Health. As a health care executive with more than 20 years of progressive experience in acute care hospital and health system leadership roles, Young has developed a proven track record in operations management, financial and cultural leadership, physician relationship development, program development, and leadership development and coaching. Young has a clinical background, beginning her career as a respiratory therapist, and also has significant experience in performance improvement, LEAN management techniques and leading broad change initiatives.

“Borgess has a strong reputation in West Michigan – it was named a Top 15 Heart Surgery Program in the U.S. by Consumer Reports, and was recently recognized in the 2015 HealthGrades ratings for cardiac and other specialties, in addition to being named as the First ‘Center for Advanced Recovery/Joint Designation’ by the Stryker Corporation,” said James Devlin, Borgess Health Board of Trustees Chair. “Kathy’s leadership will continue to enhance our culture of safety and quality through physician and associate engagement. She understands the new health care market demands and has a clear vision to lead us to success.”

Young graduated from Marian College with an associate’s degree in Respiratory Therapy Sciences and a bachelor’s degree in Allied Health. She received her master’s degree in Health Services Administration from the University of St. Francis, and is currently participating in the Ascension Leadership Academy. She is an NBRC Registered Respiratory Therapist, a Fellow in the American College of Health Care Executives, and a member of the Indiana Rural Health Association and Executive Women in Healthcare.

Borgess Health is a health system that offers high quality care in such areas as cardiovascular, neurosciences, orthopedics, vascular surgery, women’s health, primary care, emergency medicine, bariatrics, imaging, and long-term acute care. Borgess Health includes Borgess Medical Center, Borgess-Pipp Hospital, Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital, Borgess at Woodbridge Hills, Reverence Home Health & Hospice, Borgess VNA Home Health & Hospice (now part of Reverence Home Health & Hospice), Borgess Staffing Solutions, Borgess Health & Fitness Center, Borgess Gardens and many additional owned or affiliated services. The 125-year-old health ministry serves residents of 10 counties. It is one of the area’s largest health care providers and also is one of the largest employers

The Michigan Health Ministries of Ascension Health include Borgess Health in Kalamazoo, Genesys Health System in Grand Blanc, St. John Providence Health System in Metro Detroit, St. Joseph Health System in Tawas and St. Mary’s of Michigan in Saginaw. Together, the health systems employ more than 30,000 associates and are a major economic driver in the state, with $1.5 billion in payroll each year. In fiscal year 2013, the Michigan Health Ministries provided more than $240 million in community benefit and care of the poor. For more information about the Michigan Health Ministries of Ascension Health, visit ascensionhealth.org/michigan.

The Michigan Health Ministries of Ascension Health are part of Ascension, the nation’s largest Catholic and nonprofit system.