Catholic Health Senior Leadership Undergoes 'Major Reorganization': 7 Changes

The president and CEO says this new leadership structure will help the system innovate and become more efficient in the face of a shifting healthcare landscape.

Catholic Health, based in Buffalo, New York, has dramatically restructured its senior leadership team.

President and CEO Mark Sullivan announced what the organization described as a "major reorganization" this week, about a year and a half after he was named to the system's top executive job.

"Change is happening all around us in healthcare and rather than react to the pressures of our industry, we must lead change in the region to sustain our mission and meet the needs of the patients and communities we serve," Sullivan said in a statement. "This new leadership structure will build on the high quality care that already exists within our system and drive development, innovation and efficiencies that will have an even greater impact on the health of our community."

The team will spend the next several months transitioning into their new roles, Sullivan said.

"We are all excited about the opportunities before us to lead the transformation of healthcare in our community, but we also know how important smooth transitions are," he added, "not only for our physician partners and associates, but more importantly, for the patients and long term care residents we serve."

Here are seven significant changes outlined in Sullivan's announcement:

1. Joyce Markiewicz, who had served as president and CEO of Home and Community Based Care, has been named Chief Business Development Officer for Catholic Health. Sullivan called Markiewicz "the ideal person" for the job, citing her experience developing strategic partnerships and new business initiatives.
    
2. Tom Gleason, who has served as chief operating officer for Home and Community Based Care, has been promoted to senior vice president of Home and Community Based Care, in light of Markiewicz's expanded role. Gleason will oversee Catholic Health's skilled nursing facilities and home care agencies, according to the announcement.
    
3. Gary Trucker, president and CEO of Mount St. Mary's Hospital, will retire this fall.
    
4. Marty Boryszak, former president and CEO of Sisters of Charity Hospital, has been named senior vice president of acute care services at Catholic Health. In light of Tucker's retirement, Sullivan decided to restructure Catholic Health's hospital presidents, who will report to Boryszak.
    
5. CJ Urlaub, former president and CEO of Mercy Hospital of Buffalo, has been named senior vice president of strategic partnerships, integration, and care delivery in Niagara County for Catholic Health. As part of these responsibilties, he will assume the role as president of Mount St. Mary's Hospital when Tucker retires.
    
6. Eddie Bratko, who had been chief operating officer of Mercy Hospital of Buffalo, has been named president of Mercy Hospital.
    
7. John Sperrazza, who had been chief operating officer of Sisters of Charity Hospital, has been named president of the hospital and its St. Joseph campus.
    

Walt Ludwig, who was named president and CEO of Kenmore Mercy Hospital just last year, will keep his position, according to the announcement.

The overhaul comes after two recent high-level hires. William Pryor was named Catholic Health's new chief administrative officer, and Dr. Hans Cassagnol was named chief clinical officer and physician executive. And it comes as Catholic Health is currently conducting a national search for a chief operating officer and chief transformation & innovation officer, according to the announcement. 

"How healthcare is delivered in the future will be different than it is today and our executive team must be reflective and responsive to these changes," Sullivan said. "With the new talent we are recruiting to the region and the experienced leaders we have assuming new roles within our system, I am confident we have the right team in place to fulfill our Mission and drive change where it is needed to better serve the community and build upon our success as the quality, safety and patient satisfaction leader in Western New York."