Taylor named CEO at Columbia St. Mary's

Mark Taylor is the new president and CEO of Columbia St. Mary's Health System in Milwaukee, effective Feb. 15.

Taylor, 59, succeeds Leo Brideau, 64, who has been promoted to a newly created senior executive position at parent system Ascension Health of St. Louis. Details of Brideau's new job will be announced at a later date, according to a news release.

Taylor has been president and CEO of Genesys Health System in Grand Blanc, Mich., since 2007, which is also part of Ascension. Taylor has more than 35 years' experience in healthcare leadership. He was also president and CEO of St. John Hospital and Medical Center in Detroit.

Betsy Aderholdt, president of Genesys Regional Medical Center, and Chris Palazzolo, the hospital's chief financial officer, will take the helm as co-leaders at Genesys on Feb. 11 on an interim basis during the search for a new top executive to replace Taylor.

“Mark is a wonderful addition to the Columbia St. Mary's team. His proven leadership in two other Ascension Health systems shows his commitment to Catholic healthcare and his ability to quickly adapt to new organizations and be an effective leader,” Robert Henkel, president of healthcare operations and chief operating officer at Ascension, said in a statement. “In addition, we look forward to having Leo join us at Ascension Health in his new role.”