Leadership Changes at Mercy Health – Toledo

Imran Andrabi, MD, president and chief executive officer, Mercy Health – Toledo recently accepted a position as president and chief executive officer at ThedaCare, a seven-hospital health system serving northeast Wisconsin.

“Dr. Andrabi has been a strong, longstanding leader at Mercy Health and has done tremendous work to strengthen our mission of improving the health of the northwest Ohio community,” said John M. Starcher, Jr., president and CEO, Mercy Health. “His thoughtful approach as a physician leader to provide patient-center care has helped to advance the entire organization to new levels of patient service and clinical excellence.”

Dr. Andrabi has served our ministry for 25 years. Under his leadership, he has greatly enhanced access to healthcare in the Northwest Ohio community and helped to advance the entire ministry to new levels of patient service and clinical excellence.

During his tenure, Dr. Andrabit expanded the ministry’s employed physician group to more than 320 physicians located across the region, and its affiliated network of physicians to more than 600. Additionally, he was instrumental in bringing free-standing emergency centers to the Sylvania and Perrysburg communities and enhancing primary care and outpatient services to the east-of-the-river markets through the opening of the Mercy Health – Oregon Medical Center. Most recently under Dr. Andrabi’s leadership, we opened the region’s first dedicated cancer center in Perrysburg, in partnership with physicians from the Toledo Clinic and Toledo Radiation Oncology; and announced the construction of a new $56.3 million addition to the Perrysburg campus that will house a hospital, surgery center and medical offices – all in one location.

Bob Baxter, president and CEO of St. Rita’s Health Partners, will serve as interim president and CEO for Mercy Health – Toledo, effective June 12, while maintaining his leadership responsibilities in Lima. Both Toledo and Lima regional leadership teams will report to Bob, and both regions will maintain their individual boards.

Bob joined Mercy Health in 2010. During his tenure in Lima, he has championed efforts to expand CarePATH locally; focused on open, transparent communication with providers and staff, and has taken steps to improve regional financial performance, helping to ensure long-term sustainability and quality patient care. His diligence has resulted in a 62% market share for St. Rita’s Medical Center, which is located in a slow-growing geographic location with a variety of healthcare and hospital options.

Jeffrey Dempsey has been appointed as the president for Mercy Health – St. Vincent Medical Center and Children’s Hospital. During the transition, Jeff will work with senior leadership in appointing a new leader for St. Charles.

In his new role at St. Vincent and Children’s, Jeff will lead and further develop the operations as well as engage with physicians to strengthen the continuum of care.

“Jeff is a tremendous and proven leader within Mercy Health and I am pleased he will now be leading St. Vincent and Children’s moving forward,” Dr. Andrabi said. “His collaborative leadership approach combined with his tenure of leadership at Mercy Health, is an asset for the organization as we look toward the future of health care delivery in downtown Toledo and throughout Northwest Ohio.”

Jeff has been with Mercy Health – Toledo for 20 years serving in several leadership positions. As president and COO of St. Charles, he worked closely with the hospital’s senior leadership team in developing a robust strategic plan. Additionally, Jeff worked with St. Charles leaders and managers to standardized processes to enhance efficiency and quality. Recently, Jeff led the opening of the Mercy Health – Behavioral Health Institute at St. Charles as well as the Mercy Health – Oregon Medical Center, which is a critical access point for patients to seamlessly see their physician as well as obtain lab work, imaging testing or rehab services, all in one location.

Previously, Jeff served as vice president of operations for St. Charles and the regional director of strategic initiatives/business development/specialty outreach. During that time, he cultivated physician relationships and worked closely with the senior leadership team in furthering Mercy Health’s presence throughout Northwest Ohio by way of introducing new services, programs and initiatives.

Additionally, Mercy Health – Toledo is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Hooker, DO, to the position of Chief Medical Officer for Mercy Health – St. Anne Hospital.

Dr. Hooker has most recently served as the Chief Medical Information Officer for the Toledo Region. In that role, he played a significant part in the ongoing design and implementation of CarePATH EPIC Electronic Health Record in our Mercy Health Physicians practice offices and inpatient facilities. He has also become a member of a select group of identified physician leaders in the Toledo Market who completed the Mercy Leadership in Medicine program.

“With Dr. Hooker’s medical expertise and his leadership among physicians, I am pleased he will be joining us a Chief Medical Officer,” said Brad Bertke, president and COO for Mercy Health – St. Anne Hospital. “we look forward to continuing to move St. Anne into the future and believer Dr. Hooker will help as we work to enhance our care models and solidify physician partnerships.”

A new Chief Medical Information Officer will be selected. In the interim, for help with CarePATH questions, please contact a CarePATH site specialist/process specialist.

Mercy Health – Toledo is also excited to announce Charla Ulrich as the chief quality officer for Mercy Health – Toledo. Charla has been serving in this role as the interim for more than nine months and because of her experience, will oversee quality control within the region.

Finally, we are sad to announce Tom Arquilla, chief strategy officer, and Katrina English, system vice president network general counsel, will leave the organization to pursue new professional opportunities.

Tom has been with Mercy Health for six years and led the development of several key growth initiative including the opening of the region’s first freestanding emergency room in Perrysburg. Under Tom’s leadership Mercy Health and the Toledo Clinic formed a partnership for oncology services, leading to the opening of the Mercy Health – Perrysburg Cancer Center, which offers comprehensive cancer care and treatment in one location.

Katrina led all the legal and governance aspects of the Toledo region including the development of new contracts on external business projects. Additionally, Katrina was responsible for working with the Mercy Health – Toledo team in securing affiliation relationship with physicians to increase access to care.

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