Philadelphia-based Jefferson Health plans to go from five divisions to three in an effort to flatten management and become more efficient, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Jan. 12.
Under the new plan, Jefferson will group its wholly owned hospitals into the northern region, led by Brian Sweeney, BSN, RN, who currently oversees the system's New Jersey hospitals; central region, led by current president and COO of Einstein Medical Center Dixie James; and east region, which Mr. Sweeney will lead on an interim basis. The regional presidents will report to Jefferson Health COO.
The reorganization will result in job cuts, primarily among executives, according to the report. Richard Webster, president of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Center City and Magee Rehabilitation Hospital in Philadelphia, and Alison Ferren, president and COO of Abington (Pa.) Health, are among the executives exiting the system.
Joseph Cacchione, MD, who took the helm as CEO of Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson Health in September, told The Inquirer that many of the system's hospitals compete with each other under the current structure, and he hopes the reorganization will help bring clinical programs together.
"This adjustment in our organizational structure is in the best interest of Jefferson’s ability to fulfill our mission of improving lives. It ultimately contributes to true clinical integration as 'One Jefferson' and enables Jefferson Health to better streamline processes and optimize our health system,” said Dr. Cacchione.