Jeff E. Thompson, MD, has served as CEO of Gundersen Health System, formerly Gundersen Lutheran Health system, in La Crosse, Wis., since 2001, making him one of the longest tenured health system CEOs in the nation. Gundersen changed its name in May 2013.
Dr. Thompson joined the system, then Gundersen Clinic and Lutheran Health System, in 1984. He served as executive vice president from 1995 to 2001 before taking on his current role as CEO. He also serves as chairman of the board of governors and board of trustees.
In July 2013, Dr. Thompson was named one of 11 "Champions of Change" for public health and environmental protection issues by the White House. He was recognized for his leadership in environmental stewardship for healthcare organizations. "As a healthcare organization, it is our responsibility to not only take care of our patients in a hospital or clinic, but to help our patients and communities stay well. Part of that is caring for the health of the environment through Gundersen's environmental stewardship program, Envision," Dr. Thompson said in a news release. The health system is poised to be completely energy independent in 2014.
Besides leading Gundersen, Dr. Thompson is a practicing pediatric intensivist and neonatologist as well as an author of articles, book chapters and abstracts covering many healthcare topics.
Dr. Thompson is board certified in pediatric critical care, neonatal and prenatal medicine and pediatrics. He received his medical degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Medical School. Dr. Thompson is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Physician Executives.
If you have additional information or updates for this profile, or would like to recommend a leader to be profiled in the future, please contact Lindsey Dunn, editor in chief, Becker's Hospital Review at ldunn@beckershealthcare.com.
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