Three new leaders join Children’s Minnesota executive leadership team

Health & Medicine Week

By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Health & Medicine Week -- Children's Minnesota is pleased to announce three new additions to its executive leadership team. Todd Ostendorf has been appointed to chief financial officer (CFO), effective April 11(, )2016. Jennifer Olson was appointed to vice president of strategy and business development, effective Jan. 1, 2016 and Michael Morrey was appointed to vice president, operations, Mother Baby clinical service line (MBCSL), effective Feb. 22, 2016 (see also Children's Minnesota).

Ostendorf will oversee Children's financial activities, including financial planning, accounting, health information management, revenue management, treasury, and accounts payable. He brings more than 25 years of finance leadership experience in a number of different complex, highly-regulated industries, including nine years in health care. He most recently held the role of CFO for North Memorial Health Care. Prior to North Memorial, Ostendorf was CFO for UnitedHealth Group's Complex Population Management $1B business where he led the organization through double digit growth. His earlier career was primarily in retail, with large, national retailers.

"In addition to his dynamic experience, Todd brings a glowing reputation as a leader who has consistently built strong relationships and cultures in each of his prior organizations. I am pleased to welcome him to Children's, our executive team, and the pediatric health care community," said Bob Bonar, Dr. H.A., chief executive officer.

Olson is a familiar face at Children's, having been with the organization for 14 years holding senior roles in operations, strategy, business development, and most recently as vice president of operations for the Mother Baby clinical service line. In her new role, Olson will work collaboratively to help shape the strategic direction for Children's. This includes managing the strategic planning process, including creating business/program plans, advancing strategic partnerships, developing and directing major service line strategies, advancing organizational innovation, creating and assessing market and planning data, and acquiring competitive intelligence.

"I'm confident that Jennifer's deep knowledge of pediatric health care, keen strategic eye, and strong track record of success will be a tremendous addition to Children's executive leadership team as we carry out our vision to be every family's essential partner in raising healthier children," said Bonar.

Morrey has held a variety of leadership positions for the last 20 years at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, for divisions including neuroscience, transplant, internal medicine, and the Dan Abraham Healthy Living Center. Most recently, he served as associate administrator, clinic operations. In tandem with this role, he was also the associate administrator of Mayo's operations coordinating and resource allocation group and the senior administrator of Project Mars, aimed at the redesign and transformation of outpatient practice. In his new role, Morrey will serve as the dyad partner with Dr. Lisa Saul, president of the MBCSL. Together, they will continue to strengthen the MBCSL position locally, regionally, and nationally as a leader in quality care, research, and innovative clinical practice. Morrey will be responsible for advancing The Mother Baby Center brand promise into all aspects of operations at the three Mother Baby Centers, and will also lead quality, safety, and program/service improvement initiatives across Allina Health's broader network of eight community birth centers.

"Mike's exceptional strength in physician practice management, experience creating highly efficient, patient-centered clinical operations, and connection to our Children's Way Values will be a great asset to Children's, and specifically to our Mother Baby joint venture with Allina Health," said Dave Overman, president and chief operating officer.

About Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota is one of the largest pediatric health systems in the United States and the only health system in Minnesota to provide care exclusively to children, from before birth through young adulthood. An independent and not-for-profit system since 1924, Children's serves kids throughout the Upper Midwest at two free-standing hospitals, 12 primary and specialty-care clinics and six rehabilitation sites. Children's maintains its longstanding commitment to the community to improve children's health by providing high-quality, family-centered pediatric services and advancing those efforts through research and education. This work is made possible in large part by generous philanthropic and volunteer support from individuals and organizations throughout the state and region. An award-winning health system, Children's is regularly ranked by U.S. News & World Report as a top children's hospital. Please visit childrensMN.org.

Keywords for this news article include: Hospital, Pediatrics, Children's Minnesota, Investment and Finance.