ProHealth Care Announces New President and CEO
ProHealth Care announced today that it has selected a new president and chief executive officer (CEO) to succeed Ford Titus. Titus announced earlier this year his plans to retire in April 2011 after 42 years of leadership with the organization.
Susan Edwards will begin her new position as president and CEO of ProHealth Care in late September. Edwards was most recently president of Banner Health System’s Arizona region in Phoenix, Arizona, one of the largest not-for-profit health systems in the nation. Prior to that, she served as both executive vice president and chief operating officer of St. John’s Health System in Detroit, Michigan, and interim president and chief executive officer of the system’s St. John’s Hospital, a 600-bed tertiary facility.
“Susan Edwards is exceptionally well-qualified to succeed Ford Titus and assume the top leadership position at ProHealth Care,” said John Raasch, chairperson of the ProHealth Care Board of Directors. “Her breadth of experience combined with a collaborate spirit and commitment to community involvement make her well suited to successfully navigate the system through the challenges facing the health care industry today and in the future.”
“Susan is a proven leader who I’m confident will continue our deep traditions of high-quality patient care, strong relationships with physicians, community partnerships, financial strength, operational excellence, and putting employees, patients and their families first,” said Titus.
Edwards also has held health care leadership roles in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Ohio. She recently served as chairperson of the American Heart Association – Phoenix chapter and on the board of directors for the Valley of the Sun United Way in Phoenix.
Edwards was born and raised in Sparta, North Carolina. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Emory and Henry College, a master’s of health administration degree from Duke University and a law degree from Wayne State University. Edwards has earned the distinction of board certification in health care management as a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE).
Raasch thanked the search committee – formed by the ProHealth Care board of directors – who worked diligently with national search firm Korn/Ferry International to select the best candidate for the position. Raasch is confident that Edwards is the right choice, with values compatible with ProHealth Care’s culture of high-quality, cost-effective and patient-focused care.