Craig Jesiolowski, president of Methuen, Mass.-based Holy Family Hospital, part of Dallas, Texas-based Steward Health Care, is exiting his role after more than seven years, Mr. Jesilowski confirmed with Becker's.
"Craig built partnerships with local health care organizations including Greater Lawrence (Mass.) Family Health Center and expanded hospital reach through physician recruitment and service line growth," a spokesperson for Steward said in a statement shared with Becker's on his departure.
Mr. Jesiolowski, who joined Holy Family Hospital in 2016, will become administrator and vice president of Carbondale-based Southern Illinois Healthcare leading its western region, including Memorial Hospital of Carbondale (Ill.) and St. Joseph Memorial Hospital in Murphysboro, Ill.
Massachusetts state Rep. Andy Vargas said local legislative leaders had been holding daily discussions over the "precarious financial state" of Holy Family Hospital, which has two locations in Methuen and Haverhill, Mass., The Boston Globe reported Jan. 24.
"What is most important to note is that we believe the state has a range of tools, including broad public health authority, to ensure continuity of care, even if Steward or their creditors file paperwork for closure," Mr. Vargas told the Globe in a statement.
Steward, which owns and operates 33 community hospitals in nine states, recently reported being around $50 million behind on its rent at year end to Medical Properties Trust, the largest hospital landlord in the U.S.
News of the health system's financial woes have been met with concern from Massachusetts' congressional lawmakers, who have requested information on its financial position, status of its state facilities and plans to ensure community care is not abandoned.
"The abrupt closure of Steward's Massachusetts hospitals would significantly limit access to inpatient critical care and inpatient behavioral health care, as well as maternal and newborn health services in eastern Massachusetts," state lawmakers said in a Jan. 23 news release.
A spokesperson for Steward told Becker's in a statement that given 70% of its patients are covered by state and federally funded programs, they look forward to briefing the delegation to look for potential solutions.
"This is an indication of how important our community hospitals are to the state," the spokesperson said.