CHE Trinity Health Names Richard J. Gilfillan, M.D., to be CEO

Livonia, MI (PRWEB) October 29, 2013

The CHE Trinity Health Board of Directors announced today that Richard J. Gilfillan, M.D., former director of the federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI), will be the system’s new president and chief executive officer.

Dr. Gilfillan has been a leader in U.S. health care for more than 20 years, building successful organizations in the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors to deliver better outcomes for people and communities. As CMMI’s first director, he launched the Center in 2010 and worked quickly with payers and providers to develop innovative models for improving patient care and reducing costs. As chief executive at Geisinger Health Plan, he led the design of new payment systems and medical care initiatives that increased the quality of care for patients.

“Rick’s leadership and many accomplishments across the spectrum of care, including his years as a practicing physician and as a successful industry executive, assure us that he has the experience, compassion and values to lead our ministry and Catholic health care to a strong future,” said CHE Trinity Health Board of Directors Chair Dr. Melanie Dreher, Ph.D., R.N. “In the midst of a transforming industry, Rick brings a national presence and comprehension to guide our ministry as we pursue new opportunities, tackle new challenges and fulfill our mission.”

The CHE Trinity Health Board of Directors approved Dr. Gilfillan’s appointment unanimously. He will begin his new role November 18.

“CHE Trinity Health has a strong legacy of delivering exceptional care throughout its ministry. The Board is committed to building on this success and making our ministry a national leader in transforming U.S. health care into a high-value care system that improves the lives of the people and communities we serve. I am honored to be selected and thrilled to have the opportunity to work with CHE Trinity Health’s dedicated colleagues and regional health ministries to accomplish this mission,” Dr. Gilfillan said.

“We are excited Rick will join the CHE Trinity Health team, and we will work together to ensure a smooth transition,” said CHE Trinity Health interim CEO Judith M. Persichilli, R.N., B.S.N., M.A. “The Board reviewed many strong candidates for this job, and Rick stood out because of his leadership, track record for innovation and shared commitment to the mission and values of our ministry.”

Prior to his appointment at CMMI, Dr. Gilfillan was president and CEO of Geisinger Health Plan and executive vice president of insurance operations for Geisinger Health System, a large integrated health system in Pennsylvania. Previously, he was the senior vice president for national network management of Coventry Health Care. He also held earlier executive positions at Independence Blue Cross.

Dr. Gilfillan began his career as a family medicine physician and later became a medical director and a chief medical officer. He earned his undergraduate and medical degrees from Georgetown University and an M.B.A. from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

CHE Trinity Health is the second-largest Catholic health care delivery system in the nation. It serves people and communities in 20 states from coast to coast with 82 hospitals, 88 continuing care facilities and home health and hospice programs that provide more than 2.3 million visits annually. It was formed in May 2013, when Trinity Health and Catholic Health East completed their consolidation to strengthen their shared mission, increase excellence in care and advance transformative efforts with their unified voice. With annual operating revenues of about $13.3 billion and assets over $19 billion, the new organization returns more than $800 million to its communities annually in the form of charity care and other community benefit programs. CHE Trinity Health employs nearly 86,000 people, including nearly 4,000 employed physicians. Committed to those who are poor and underserved in its communities, CHE Trinity Health is known for its focus on the country's aging population. As a single, unified ministry, the organization is the innovator of Senior Emergency Departments, the largest not-for-profit provider of home health care services — ranked by number of visits — in the nation, as well as the nation’s leading provider of PACE (Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly) based on the number of available programs. For more information, visit either http://www.trinity-health.org, http://www.che.org or http://www.newhealthministry.org.

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