Jefferson taps Ascension Health CEO as new exec
Joseph G. Cacchione, MD, was named CEO of Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson Health, a multi-state non-profit health system based in Center City, Philadelphia.
Cacchione comes to Jefferson by way of Ascension Health, one of the largest private healthcare systems in the United States, where he has served as an executive since 2017, most recently as executive vice president, clinical and network services (CNS). He also served as CEO of Ascension Michigan, with 15 hospitals and 22,000 employees.
Prior to Ascension, Cacchione spent eight years at the Cleveland Clinic, serving as chairman of operations and strategy for its Heart and Vascular Institute, as well as executive vice president and chief of quality and operations at Saint Vincent's Health System. He also spent the first 20 years of his career as a private practice cardiologist and large private physician practice executive.
Over the course of his career, Cacchione created a data-informed Community Impact Department regarding social determinants of health and health equity; grew Ascension's employed physician enterprise by 25% over four years, improved financial performance and improved physician well-being index by 30%; and developed and oversaw system-wide strategies to integrate NIH's Equity consensus categories into Ascension's culture and operations.
Thomas Jefferson University dates back to 1824 and includes 10 colleges and four schools, offering 200 undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 8,400 students. Jefferson Health includes 18 hospitals and more than 50 outpatient and urgent care locations throughout the region. Cacchione will assume his new role at Jefferson Sept. 6, focusing on the enterprise’s growth strategy.
Cacchione is known for his record of identifying high-impact opportunities to meet the needs of patients and communities, as well as designing strategies for better care while also enabling growth. He will work closely with Jefferson Health President Bruce A. Meyer, MD, MBA, and Thomas Jefferson University President Mark L. Tykocinski, MD, to shape the future of healthcare, research and professions-focused education both nationally and internationally, according to Jefferson.
Cacchione will also work with Emeritus Board Trustee H. Richard Haverstick, Jr. during a transition into the new role. Haverstick has served as interim CEO and president of Thomas Jefferson University and interim CEO of Jefferson Health since January 1, 2022, while the board conducted a national search for a permanent CEO.
Leslie J. McNamara, vice chair of the Jefferson board of trustees, led the CEO search, guided by work the board had already done on the “CEO of the future.”
"The search committee was immediately struck by Dr. Cacchione's ability to transform and manage complex organizations with a clear vision, while building diverse and high-performing teams to execute against a well-defined strategy. That approach will serve Jefferson well as we map out what's next," McNamara said in a press release.
Amy joined TriMed Media as a Senior Writer for HealthExec after covering home care for three years. When not writing about all things healthcare, she fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a pirate by sailing in regattas and enjoying rum. Fun fact: she sailed 333 miles across Lake Michigan in the Chicago Yacht Club "Race to Mackinac."