Catholic Health East: Latest News

H. Ray Welch Named President and Chief Executive Officer of Mercy Health System, a Member of Catholic Health East

For Immediate Release
November 7, 2005

H.Ray Welch

Mercy Health System of Southeastern Pennsylvania today announced the appointment of H. Ray Welch as its president and chief executive officer. His appointment, which follows a nationwide executive search, is effective immediately.

"Ray's outstanding leadership, business acumen and communications skills, as well as his demonstrated commitment to our Mission and Core Values, make him the ideal person for this position," said Christine McCann, RSM, Mercy Health System Board Chairperson.

Since December 2003, Welch has served as Mercy Health System's Senior Vice President of Strategic Planning and Communications, where he has been responsible for developing and implementing system strategic plans and business strategies, as well as overall management of information technology services.

Welch brings over twenty years of healthcare management experience in Fortune 500 companies to his assignment. Prior to joining Mercy, Welch spent eight years in senior management with ARAMARK Corporation, most recently as President of the company's Health Support Services business that provided a wide array of support services to over 600 hospitals throughout North America. Additionally, Welch held management positions with major healthcare companies, inlcuding Johnson & Johnson and Pharmacia.

Welch earned a business degree from Bethel College in South Bend, Indiana. He resides in Bluebell, PA with his wife Susan.

With locations throughout the Philadelphia area, Mercy Health System provides health care services to urban and suburban communities through its network of four acute care hospitals (Mercy Hospital of Philadelphia, Mercy Suburban Hospital, Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital, and Nazareth Hospital), a continuing care medical center (St. Agnes Continuing Care Center), outpatient diagnostic centers, and Mercy Home Health Services. In addition, Mercy Health System is a full partner in Keystone-Mercy Health Plan, AmeriHealth Plan and Gateway Health Plans, which offer managed care services to Medicaid eligible members across Pennsylvania and in several other states.

A founding member of Catholic Health East and sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy and Hope Ministries, the 6,500 colleagues and 1,500 physicians of Mercy Health System are committed to serving the entire community and creating extraordinary patient care experiences for all patients and family members. Three Mercy hospitals have been recognized as 100 Top Hospitals® for Intensive Care Services (ICU) and the system is known for leading women's health programs, outpatient rehabilitation services, and health services for the special needs of a diverse and aging population. Nazareth Hospital is among the top 5% nationally for stroke care and was named number one stroke care provider in the state for three consecutive years (2003, 2004, and 2005) by HealthGrades™.

Catholic Health East is a multi-institutional Catholic health system, co-sponsored by 15 religious congregations and Hope Ministries, a Public Juridic Person within Catholic Health East. Based in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, the System provides the means to ensure the continuation of the Catholic identity and operational strength of the sponsors' health ministries, which are located within eleven eastern states from Maine to Florida. The System includes 31 acute care hospitals, 3 long term acute care hospitals, 45 freestanding and hospital-based long term care facilities, 12 assisted living facilities, 5 continuing care retirement communities, 7 behavioral health and rehabilitation facilities, 19 home health and hospice agencies, and numerous ambulatory and community-based health services. Catholic Health East facilities employ approximately 43,000 full-time employees as partners in ministry.

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