SummaCare’s CEO, Martin Hauser, leaving at year’s end

Oct. 23--SummaCare's first and only chief executive is leaving the Akron-based insurance company at the end of the year as part of ongoing leadership restructuring at Summa Health System.

Martin "Marty" Hauser will leave Dec. 31, a spokesman confirmed Thursday.

Patrice Lange, senior vice president of planning and corporate support, and Bill Powel, senior vice president, general counsel and secretary, also will be leaving Summa, on Nov. 3, as part of the administrative moves announced this week.

In addition to his role at SummaCare, Hauser has been serving as chief government relations officer for the health system.

In a letter to employees this week, Summa President and Chief Executive Thomas Strauss said the elimination of three longtime Summa executives' positions was part of an ongoing effort "designed to create a more streamlined approach to decision-making."

"Words cannot express the gratitude that I have for the many contributions that these three individuals have made to Summa over the years," Strauss wrote.

The health system declined to disclose the amount of money being saved by the elimination of the positions.

Hauser's departure will coincide with the retirement of Strauss, who announced earlier this year his plans to leave at the end of the year. Summa's board is continuing to search for Strauss' replacement, with an emphasis on internal candidates.

Hauser joined Summa about 35 years ago, working in the finance and planning divisions. In 1990, he lead the creation of a local managed-care program called SummaCare, which initially offered a health-care plan for employees at Summa and at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.

SummaCare now has about 250,000 members and operates the region's largest Medicare managed-care, with more than 33,000 enrollees in 41 counties in the northern half of Ohio.

In recent months, the insurer's Medicare managed-care plan has been in trouble with the federal government for mishandling consumer appeals and grievances.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services suspended all new enrollment and marketing in SummaCare's managed-care plans in August because of "multiple-serious violations." Other insurance products, including those purchased by employers for their employees, aren't affected.

"I want to be very clear that the decision regarding Marty was not in any way related to the Medicare sanctions," Summa spokesman Mike Bernstein said in an email, "and we continue to work collaboratively with CMS to reach an appropriate resolution."

Lange joined Summa in 1991. In her current role, she oversees marketing, communications and strategic planning, with a focus on growing Summa's presence across the region and enhancing the health system's image.

"Her leadership and vision have been instrumental in the growth of our brand, not only locally, but across the region and nationally," Strauss said.

Powel came to the health system in 1998 as vice president of legal services. He has overseen legal services, risk management, corporate compliance, internal audit and insurance.

He also helped launch Middlebury Assurance Co., which offers malpractice coverage to doctors.

Powel plans to devote more time serving as chancellor of the Episcopal Diocese of Cleveland, according to Strauss' letter.

Under the reorganization, Hauser's responsibilities will transition to Claude Vincenti, president of SummaCare and Government Relations, who will report Strauss, according to the letter to employees.

Ben Sutton, vice president of integrated innovations and strategy, will serve as the health system's interim head of planning and corporate support.

Rob Gerberry, Summa's associate general counsel, will become interim general counsel. Brian Derrick, Summa's senior vice president and chief financial officer, will become president of Middlebury Assurance Co.

Cheryl Powell can be reached at 330-996-3902 or [email protected]. Follow Powell on Twitter at twitter.com/CherylPowellABJ

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