Covert to lead CHI St. Luke's Health in Houston

Catholic Health Initiatives, Englewood, Colo., has tapped Michael Covert as CEO of its growing network in Houston.

Effective in late August, Covert, 65, will leave his role as president and CEO of Palomar Health, a three-hospital system based in Escondido, Calif., and become chief executive of CHI St. Luke's Health. He will also serve as a senior VP at CHI. Covert will replace Deborah Lee-Eddie, who has served as interim regional market CEO since January.

“I am thrilled to be part of Catholic Health Initiatives, one of the most forward-thinking health systems in this country," Covert said in a statement. "It's an organization that demands a strong, strategic approach to adapt to this country's ever-changing healthcare industry. I believe my long background will help the organization fulfill its mission to create and sustain healthier communities."

The six-hospital CHI St. Luke's Health was previously known as St. Luke's Episcopal Health System. CHI acquired St. Luke's last year, agreeing to spend $1 billion on capital investments and another $1 billion to start a charity-care foundation. Since then, CHI St. Luke's Health, Baylor College of Medicine and the Texas Heart Institute created a joint venture centered on clinical, education and research collaborations. CHI expects the regional system will expand into neighboring communities, according to a release.

Covert has led Palomar Health since 2003. He has more than 40 years of healthcare experience, including stints as president and CEO of Sarasota (Fla.) Memorial Health Care System and executive director of the Ohio State University hospital system in Columbus.

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