Mercy Medical Center announces administrative changes
Mercy Medical Center has announced several leadership changes.
Charles appointed President & CEO
Timothy L. Charles, Mercy’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer since 2003, has been appointed President and CEO of Mercy Medical Center and Mercy Care Management, Inc. Mr. Charles’ appointment follows a leadership succession plan for Mercy Medical Center that was approved recently by the Mercy Board of Trustees.
In his new role as President and CEO, Mr. Charles will be responsible for continuing to fulfill the more than 100-year-old mission of the Sisters of Mercy — To care for the sick and enhance the health of the communities we serve, guided by the spirit of the Sisters of Mercy.
Mr. Charles will be responsible for continuing the growth of the Mercy health system. He will also continue to enhance the medical center’s reputation for nationally ranked quality health care while ensuring that the Mercy Touch® is delivered to each and every patient.
Since moving to Cedar Rapids Mr. Charles and his wife Janice have been very involved in community activities. He serves on the Boards of Directors of United Way of East Central Iowa, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the Cedar Rapids Symphony. Mrs. Charles serves on the Board of Directors for the Alzheimer’s Association of East Central Iowa, Catherine McAuley Center and the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art.
Prior to coming to Cedar Rapids in 2003, Mr. Charles, 49, was Chief Executive Officer of Denton Community Hospital in Texas. His 20 years of senior leadership roles have included Vice President of Strategic Planning and Network Development for the Western Region of Healthtrust, Inc. in Utah, and Chief Executive Officer of Palm Drive Hospital in California.
Mr. Charles received his undergraduate degree in 1978 from the University of Utah and his master’s degree in business administration in 1986 from Utah State University.
Tinker to continue at Mercy
A. James Tinker, will continue in his role as President and CEO of Mercycare Service Corporation, the parent organization that includes Mercy Medical Center and Mercy Care Management, Inc., as he plans for his retirement in the next 18 months. Mr. Tinker’s responsibilities include public policy initiatives, community service activities and health system development, as well as working with the Board of Trustees in planning Mercy’s future.
Mr. Tinker is a graduate of the University of Michigan, where he earned his BA and master’s degree in health administration. He has held administrative positions at Oakwood Hospital in Dearborn, Mich., and at the University of Wisconsin Hospitals in Madison, including Assistant Vice Chancellor of the Center for Health Sciences. He also is a past Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellow and spent a year at the Institute of Medicine, National Academy of Sciences.
Mr. Tinker moved to Cedar Rapids in 1982, when he accepted management of Mercy. During his tenure as President and CEO, Mercy became the fourth-largest employer in Cedar Rapids with an operating budget of more than $227 million. Known as a leader in quality health care, Mercy has a record of medical excellence with the extra measure for compassionate care known as the Mercy Touch.
His extensive professional involvement has included chairman and board member of the Iowa Hospital Association; chairman and member of the American Hospital Association (AHA) Regional Policy Board 6; member of the AHA board of trustees; and adjunct lecturer in the Department of Hospital and Health Administration, University of Iowa, Iowa City.
In 2005, Mr. Tinker was elected to the Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa Business Hall of Fame. In the community, he has been active in Cedar Rapids Downtown Rotary Club, Cedar Rapids Symphony and Cedar Rapids Museum of Art. He is the 2006 campaign chairman of United Way of East Central Iowa, and is chair-elect of Priority One, the economic development arm of the Cedar Rapids Chamber of Commerce.
Other announcements
Other related promotions in Mercy’s administration include:
- Phil Peterson, most recently Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), has been promoted to Executive Vice President and CFO of Mercy Medical Center and Mercy Care Management, Inc. This reflects his responsibility for financial management of Mercy Medical Center as well as Mercy Care Management, Inc.During his seven years at Mercy, Mr. Peterson has been instrumental in planning and funding $156 million of capital improvements and led Mercy's successful effort to secure an A+ bond rating.
- Kathy Krusie, most recently Vice President of Human Resources, has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Administrative and Support Services. During her 17-year career at Mercy, Mrs. Krusie has had responsibility for a variety of clinical departments and staff support functions, such as the Orthopaedic and Neuroscience service lines, Human Resources and Risk Management. In her new role, Mrs. Krusie will assume expanded operational responsibilities for additional clinical support areas and lead organization-wide strategic initiatives in Lean thinking, Human Resources and compliance.
- Tim Palm, most recently Executive Director Mercy Physician Services, has been promoted to Vice President, Mercy Care Management, Inc. During his almost 10 years of leadership, MercyCare Community Physicians has seen tremendous growth, going from 18 to 71 providers in that period of time. He also led the development of eight new clinics. Mr. Palm will continue to drive clinic and provider expansion with new facilities in Mt. Vernon, North Liberty and the Main Campus Clinic. He is also currently leading the development of a business health services clinic.
