Sisters of Charity Health System announced that former Summa Health System leader Thomas J. Strauss will be its new president and CEO.
Strauss, who retired in 2014 after 15 years leading Summa in Akron, begins his role on Tuesday, Jan. 10. He succeeds Terrence Kessler, who retired at the end of 2016 after serving as president and CEO and general counsel of the health system since 2013.
"The Sisters of Charity Health System selected Tom because of his commitment to continuing the health system's Catholic mission, his record of transformational health care leadership and his ability to strategically position our hospitals for future growth," Dr. Robert Spangler, the health system's board chair, said in a statement. "We are pleased to welcome him to lead this system into the future."
Sisters of Charity Health System includes two elder care facilities, three grantmaking foundations, and five outreach organizations in Ohio and South Carolina, as well as two Catholic hospitals: Mercy Medical Center in Canton and St. Vincent Charity Medical Center in Cleveland, where the system is headquartered.
Strauss most recently served as the managing member and co-founder of CEO Advisory Network, a private consulting firm affiliated with DHG Healthcare. The firm consists of five health care leaders who provide consulting services locally and nationally. In addition to his role with Summa, his experience also includes stints with Meridia Health System — a four hospital system ultimately acquired by the Cleveland Clinic — Baxter Health Care Corporation and Allegheny General Hospital.
During his 15 years at the helm of Summa, Strauss oversaw a transformative period in Summa's history, including growing its market share and financial revenues.
"We look forward to Tom's leadership, strategic guidance and expertise to strengthen the Sisters of Charity Health System's mission in health care, while also supporting the growth of our many diverse ministries," said Sister Judith Ann Karam, congregational leader of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine and chair of CSA Health System Ministries, the member of the Sisters of Charity Health System.
Strauss has served as a board member for the Greater Akron Chamber, the Akron Regional Hospital Association, Akron Tomorrow, the Austen BioInnovation Institute, BioEnterprise and Team NEO.
"Providing individuals, families and communities with quality, patient-centered health care is my life's work," Strauss said in a statement. "I am honored to join and help position the Sisters of Charity Health System for a strong future. Most importantly, I'm looking forward to leading an organization with the deep roots of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine, who have carried forward a mission of service to Northeast Ohioans for more than 165 years."
"Former Summa CEO to lead Sisters of Charity Health System" originally appeared in Crain's Cleveland Business.
