Catholic Health East: Latest News

Catholic Health East Appoints Four New Board Members

March 22, 2006

NEWTOWN SQUARE, PA - Catholic Health East (CHE), one of the nation's leading Catholic healthcare systems, announced the appointments of four individuals to its Board of Directors: John C. Babka, MD, FACP, FACPE, FACHE, Mary M. Fanning, RSM, FACHE, Dennis A. Fitzpatrick, and Mary Anne Weldon, RSM, CSW.

John C. Babka, MD, FACP, FACPE, FACHE

Dr. Babka is a consultant specializing in clinical process improvement and also serves as a Clinical Professor of Medicine and Family Practice at the University of South Florida College of Medicine. He previously served as Vice President of Medical Affairs for Morton Plant Mease Health Care, Clearwater, FL from 1988-2004. Prior to that, he served in the U.S. Navy for 23 years in progressively responsible medical leadership and command positions. He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians, the American College of Healthcare Executives and a Distinguished Fellow of the American College of Physician Executives.

He is board certified in Internal Medicine, Endocrinology and Metabolism, and Medical Management. He is currently the President of the American Board of Medical Management. He has published and lectured widely on many clinical and management topics, primarily on clinical process and outcomes monitoring and improvement as well as bioethics topics. Babka attended the U.S. Naval Academy, received his bachelor of science from the Ohio University and his MD from the Ohio State University. He is also a graduate of the Advanced Management Program, Harvard Business School. Dr. Babka is a resident of Belleair, Florida.

Mary M. Fanning, RSM, FACHE

An Assistant Professor at the College of Notre Dame of Maryland, Sr. Mary teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in financial management, general management, and health administration. A Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, she has a wide array of healthcare management experience. Prior to her current faculty appointment, Sr. Mary worked in a consultative capacity for several nonprofit organizations, and organized a collaborative alliance of social service, community development and church-based programs. From 1987-1994, she served as the President and CEO of Our Lady of the Way Hospital in Martin, Kentucky and, prior to that, in progressively responsible health care management positions in Maryland and Alabama. Sr. Mary, who earned her BA from Mt. St. Agnes College in Baltimore, MD and her MBA in Finance from Loyola College, Baltimore, MD, is currently a PhD candidate in Public Policy at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. She is a resident of Baltimore, MD.

Dennis A. Fitzpatrick

Fitzpatrick is currently President of The O'Connell Companies, Inc., a Holyoke, Massachusetts-based industrial and construction management company serving as general contractors and property managers for commercial and industrial buildings. Fitzpatrick's thirty years of experience in the industry includes commercial, institutional, retail, retirement, and educational facilities. He serves on several regional Boards, including the Sisters of Providence Health System, the Massachusetts Business Roundtable, and the Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts. Fitzpatrick has a BS in Civil Engineering from the University of Maine and his master's from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He lives in Holyoke, MA.

Mary Anne Weldon, RSM, CSW

Currently an instructor at Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora, NY, Sister Mary Anne Weldon works part time as a benefit advocate for Neighborhood Legal Services, an organization that assists poor and low-income people. In her previous position, Sr. Mary Anne worked for Catholic Charities of Buffalo since 1972. She served as Director, Department of Parish Based Social Services and member, Administrative Team for Catholic Charities from 1983 through June 2005. Prior to joining Catholic Charities, she spent thirteen years in elementary and secondary school education. Sr. Mary Anne, a Certified Social Worker and licensed as a Nursing Home Administrator, holds graduate degrees from the University of Buffalo and St. Bonaventure University.

Sr. Mary Anne is the recent recipient of the prestigious 2006 Vincenza DeFazio Award from the New York State Catholic Conference. The award recognizes the contributions of a Catholic Charities staff member who has contributed to the work of the Council of Catholic Charities Directors. Sr. Mary Anne resides in Lackawanna, NY.

"These colleagues impress us as values-centered leaders and people who bring a great deal of expertise to their new governance roles at Catholic Health East," said Earle Bradford, Jr., Chair, CHE Board of Directors.

Catholic Health East is a multi-institutional Catholic health system, which is 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 11 eastern states from Maine to Florida.

The System includes acute care hospitals, free-standing and hospital-based skilled nursing facilities, residential facilities, free-standing behavioral health and rehabilitation facilities, 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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