William Petasnick moving away from president role at Froedtert Health, remaining CEO

William Petasnick, president and CEO of Froedtert Health, is moving away from daily operations responsibilities at the Wisconsin-based provider following the appointment of two new presidents at the system and hospital level, according to a news release. Catherine Jacobson was appointed president of the three-hospital system, while Cathy Buck was named president of the system's largest hospital, 486-bed Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee.

Both president roles were formerly held by Petasnick, 65, who will retain his role as CEO of the system, focusing on long-term development, physician integration, fundraising and government-relations duties, according to the news release. Jacobson, 47, formerly served as executive VP of finance and strategy for Froedtert Health, and her new role will give her oversight over daily operations of the three hospitals and the Froedtert Health Medical Group. Jacobson, hired at Froedtert in 2010, served as 2009-10 chairwoman of the Healthcare Financial Management Association. Buck, 57, is a registered nurse and has worked as executive VP and COO of Froedtert Hospital since 1999, following progressive management roles at the Milwaukee hospital since 1983.