CEO Jack Cleary is ahead of the curve when it comes to physician-hospital relationships. While many hospitals across the country are struggling to define their relationships with their physicians, he knows exactly where he wants his: close by.
"I want to work extremely closely with the medical staff," he said in an interview with The Wednesday Journal on his recent appointment to West Suburban Hospital in Oak Park, Ill. "A hospital doesn't do anything without its doctors. The doctors bring the patients, and there are plenty of alternative sources of hospital care in Chicago. We need the doctors satisfied and engaged."
Mr. Cleary comes to West Suburban from North Central Baptist Hospital in San Antonio, where he served as president. His new hospital will become part of Vanguard Health Systems, based out of Nashville, Tenn., by the end of July, a relationship that Mr. Cleary is excited to start.
Joseph Mullany, president of Vanguard's growing Chicago area hospital group, praised Mr. Cleary's work at North Central Baptist and cited his positive influence on the hospital's financial performance, patient satisfaction and employee engagement.
"I have the greatest respect for both his skill and style," said Mr. Mullany.
West Suburban has not had an easy time over the past few decades. Mounting financial losses have caused anxiety in the community over the hospital's future. But Mr. Cleary isn't worried. "It may take some time to allay the concerns but the community shouldn't worry. There will be change here. That's inevitable," he said.
He wants to be a visible CEO, he told The Wednesday Journal, the kind of leader who is seen in the halls of his hospital. He pledged to "check out every inch" of the facility to better understand it.
Before joining hospital administration, Mr. Cleary served in the U.S. Air Force for 25 years and left with the rank of colonel.
Read more on notable hospital leaders:
-Hospital Industry Leader to Know: Chuck Lauer, Former Editor of Modern Healthcare
-Hospital Industry Leader to Know: Dr. Lee Sacks of Advocate Health Care
"I want to work extremely closely with the medical staff," he said in an interview with The Wednesday Journal on his recent appointment to West Suburban Hospital in Oak Park, Ill. "A hospital doesn't do anything without its doctors. The doctors bring the patients, and there are plenty of alternative sources of hospital care in Chicago. We need the doctors satisfied and engaged."
Mr. Cleary comes to West Suburban from North Central Baptist Hospital in San Antonio, where he served as president. His new hospital will become part of Vanguard Health Systems, based out of Nashville, Tenn., by the end of July, a relationship that Mr. Cleary is excited to start.
Joseph Mullany, president of Vanguard's growing Chicago area hospital group, praised Mr. Cleary's work at North Central Baptist and cited his positive influence on the hospital's financial performance, patient satisfaction and employee engagement.
"I have the greatest respect for both his skill and style," said Mr. Mullany.
West Suburban has not had an easy time over the past few decades. Mounting financial losses have caused anxiety in the community over the hospital's future. But Mr. Cleary isn't worried. "It may take some time to allay the concerns but the community shouldn't worry. There will be change here. That's inevitable," he said.
He wants to be a visible CEO, he told The Wednesday Journal, the kind of leader who is seen in the halls of his hospital. He pledged to "check out every inch" of the facility to better understand it.
Before joining hospital administration, Mr. Cleary served in the U.S. Air Force for 25 years and left with the rank of colonel.
Read more on notable hospital leaders:
-Hospital Industry Leader to Know: Chuck Lauer, Former Editor of Modern Healthcare
-Hospital Industry Leader to Know: Dr. Lee Sacks of Advocate Health Care