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News – Dec 2017

Gerard “Ger” Colman

Gerard Colman Takes Baptist Health’s Top Post

LOUISVILLE Following a nationwide search, Gerard “Ger” Colman, who served as the chief operating officer of the Aurora Health Care System in Milwaukee, Wis., will step up as CEO of Baptist Health. For 25 years, Colman has been involved in healthcare, with experience in ranging from operations, finance, information technology, and physician engagement.

Allen Rudd, Baptist Health Board of Directors chairman states, “We are fortunate to have found someone with his breadth and depth of experience with not-for-profit and faith-based organizations.”

Colman, who holds a doctorate in healthcare management from the University of Texas School of Public Health, states, “I look forward to working with our Baptist Health presidents, their respective boards, employees and physicians.”

Bruce Tassin

KentuckyOne Health Announces Bruce Tassin as CEO

LEXINGTON It has been announced that Bruce Tassin, president of Saint Joseph Hospital, will also serve as chief executive officer for KentuckyOne Health and lead Kentucky-based operations of the recently expanded Southeast Operating Division for Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI).

“KentuckyOne Health is committed to compassionate and innovative care for the patients we serve. Bruce’s proven track record at Saint Joseph Hospital and his connection to this community demonstrates that we have a leader who will deliver on these promises,” says Jane Chiles, chair of the KentuckyOne Health Board of Directors.

Tassin has spent much of his 27 year career as a hospital and health system administrator in faith-based health systems, developing and implementing successful strategic plans, achieving improved quality measures, and guiding increased financial growth.

“I am honored and humbled to take on this expanded role within KentuckyOne Health to lead a long-term strategy of excellence in health care,” says Tassin. “There is a proud legacy across the organization, along with a passion at all levels to improve care in the community.”

Jessica Croley

National Cancer Institute Recognizes Jessica Croley, MD

LEXINGTON The National Cancer Institute (NCI) Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) has recognized Jessica Croley, MD. Croley, who is with KentuckyOne Health Hematology and Oncology Associates, was recognized for her successful level of participation and the number of patients she has enrolled to the NCI clinical trials over the past three grant years. Croley, who was presented the Appreciation Award, was part of only 10 percent of all NCORP rostered physicians who qualified for an award.

“When it comes to treating cancer, having access to clinical trials gives my patients more options,” says Croley. “With the option of clinical trials, I can better customize treatment plans for each individual to give them a better chance for many more quality years.”

University of Louisville receives $6.7 million grant to become Superfund Research Center

LOUISVILLE After a 20-year effort by the University of Louisville (U of L) to secure Superfund money, it has received a $6.7 million grant from the National Institutes of Health, becoming one of fewer than two dozen Superfund Research Centers across the United States. The funding will be used to establish a new, multidisciplinary center at U of L that will support the federal Superfund Hazardous Substance Research and Training Program, where researchers will study how exposure to pollutants contributes to cardiometabolic disease.

Sanjay Srivastava, PhD, a professor and researcher in cardiovascular medicine at the U of L School of Medicine, will lead the project. Srivastava says, “This is a very prestigious grant for the university and will help raise the awareness of environmental issues as they relate to health, and train the next generation of environmental scientists.”

Created in 1980, The Superfund program is part of a federal government effort to clean up land identified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as a potential risk to human health or the environment due to contamination by hazardous waste.

Baptist Health and Hardin Memorial Health Sign Letter of Intent

ELIZABETHTOWN Following a two-year long process of exploring potential affiliations, Hardin Memorial Hospital (HMH) has signed a letter of intent with Baptist Health, which authorizes both parties to move forward with necessary steps to pursue a proposed acquisition. Currently, both entities are involved in the due diligence and negotiation process, with 1 8 due diligence teams covering operational, legal, and financial areas. This process is projected to take several months.

As an integrated system of providers and facilities, HMH serves approximately 400,000 residents in 10 Central Kentucky counties, and is the third largest employer in Hardin County.

“The challenge for independent, county-owned hospitals like HMH, faced with a demanding and uncertain environment of increased costs and declining reimbursements, is to continue to ensure that clinical expertise and capital investment keeps pace with citizen demands for the highest level of local healthcare,” says Hardin County Judge/Executive Harry Berry, who also serves as chairman of the HMH Board of Trustees. “This transaction will assure that HMH will emerge stronger operationally and financially as a regional healthcare leader.”

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