Ascension has named Dr. Richard Fogel as chief clinical officer for its clinical and network services, effective July 1.
The appointment of Fogel, who will oversee clinical performance across the not-for-profit Catholic health system's more than 2,600 sites of care, is part of a spate of leadership changes announced at the health system this month.
Joseph Impicciche, Ascension's chief operating officer and president, will take over as transitional president and CEO beginning July 1, as Anthony Tersigni retires from the CEO role. Ascension Chief Financial Officer Anthony Speranzo also plans to step down from his role July 1 to become the president of the health system's newly created healthcare investment fund.
In a memo Tersigni sent to executives and staff members June 11, he wrote the C-suite changeover would include a broader restructuring of the executive office, with the leadership team including a mix of longtime and next-generation leaders with varied backgrounds, experiences and talents.
Ascension's operating income fell 81% from fiscal 2017 to 2018, from $553 million on $22.7 billion in total operating revenue to $105 million on $23.2 billion in operating revenue, according to the St. Louis-based health system's year-end financial report.
Fogel, a practicing cardiologist and electrophysiologist, currently serves as system chief clinical officer for St. Vincent, a hospital in central Indiana that's part of Ascension.
He's led numerous committees at Ascension, serving as chair of the health system's clinical integration committee and as a member of both the clinical leadership committee and the clinical informatics and analytics committee. He was previously chair of Ascension's electrophysiology affinity group.
"Dr. Fogel's vast experience and expertise as a clinical and operational leader, combined with his deep commitment to our mission of providing compassionate, personalized care, make him an ideal choice for this national role," said Dr. Joe Cacchione, executive vice president of Ascension's clinical and network services.
