Ascension selects Tersigni as CEO

Ascension Health, St. Louis, the nation's largest Catholic healthcare system with 67 hospitals, named Anthony Tersigni its president and chief executive officer. Tersigni, 54, has filled the position on an interim basis since January when former CEO Douglas French left for a sabbatical. French subsequently resigned. Tersigni joined Ascension in 2000 as a regional executive and was named chief operating officer in January 2001. "The board has done considerable work over the last several weeks to identify the leadership skills required for . . . the next stage of our development," Ascension Chairman John Mudd said in a news release. "We received and reviewed input from every level of our ministry. After this intense process, it became apparent to all of us that Tony was the right person." Ascension earned $149.8 million on operating revenue of $9.1 billion in its fiscal year ended June 30, 2003. -- by Mark Taylor