Loyola University Health System CEO Patricia Cassidy will Replace Retiring President John Morgan

MAYWOOD, Ill. January 15, 2009--Patricia "Trish" Cassidy, 47, a 20-year employee of Loyola University Health System (LUHS) who played a leading role in the decision to bring Gottlieb Memorial Hospital (GMH) into the Loyola health system, has been named president of Gottlieb Memorial Hospital, Melrose Park.

Cassidy has begun the new year at Gottlieb as president-elect, working on strategic planning with the hospital's current president John Morgan and newly promoted chief operating officer Ken Fishbain. After serving at Gottlieb's helm for 19 years, Morgan announced his decision to retire effective July 1, 2009. Cassidy will step into her new position upon his departure.
Most recently, Cassidy has served as LUHS senior vice president for system development and strategy, with overall responsibility for LUHS planning, marketing (including media relations), government & community affairs, quality & patient safety, risk management & patient relations, provider relations & training and managed care contracting. In this role, she developed a strong relationship with senior management at Gottlieb and played a central role in devising the plan for integrating Gottlieb into LUHS.

"There is not a member of the Loyola team who is better positioned to serve Gottlieb in the tradition of John Morgan than Trisha Cassidy," said Dr. Paul K. Whelton, president and CEO of LUHS.  "I know that she will be an exceptional president of Gottlieb. She is a dynamic leader who is easily approached and receptive to input."

Whelton credits Morgan with skillful leadership during the Loyola-Gottlieb integration period. "The fact that the integration of Gottlieb and Loyola has gone so smoothly reflects well on the efforts of many individuals at Gottlieb and Loyola. However, first and foremost it is a manifestation of John’s gentle but firm and dedicated leadership. It is fitting that John’s last major contribution was to work with the board to position Gottlieb for a bright future," Whelton said.

Morgan's 19 years as president have brought significant changes to Gottlieb Memorial Hospital. The hospital experienced dramatic growth of facilities and services, which includes expansion of the emergency department as a Level II Trauma Center with a helipad; creation of the Marjorie G. Weinberg Cancer Care Center with an architecturally award-wining design that fosters hope and healing; implementation of numerous patient safety initiatives; achieving national recognition from the American Heart Association for Gottlieb’s high standards in heart care; and most recently, the addition of private patient rooms for maternity and orthopaedic services.

"John’s vision and guidance have enabled Gottlieb to become one of the most progressive, innovative, financially sound hospitals in the nation, during a time when hospitals continue to struggle with intense external pressures, such as severe cuts in reimbursement, workforce shortages and burdensome regulatory requirements," said Gottlieb's Ken Fishbain.