Ivy Tech Names Health Division VP
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowIvy Tech Community College has named Calvin Thomas vice president for its Health Division. He has served in executive roles at hospitals in California, Florida, Georgia and Missouri.
February 25, 2014
News Release
Indianapolis, Ind. — Ivy Tech Community College President Thomas J. Snyder has appointed Calvin Thomas IV as the College's new Vice President for the Health Division.
This appointment comes on the heels of the College announcing the restructuring of its academic divisions to better align programs with potential career and transfer tracks for students, as well as aid in the retention of students. The new Academic Divisions include the Technology & Applied Sciences Division, Business & Public Services Division, Health Division, and University & Transfer Division. Thomas is the fourth and final Division VP that has been named. He joins Dr. Steven Tincher, Vice President of the Business Division; Dr. Russ Baker, Vice President of the University & Transfer Division; and Sue Smith, Vice President for the Technology & Applied Sciences Division.
Ivy Tech's Health Division will encompass all programs that prepare students for a recognized health license or certification. Most programs are selective admission with limited enrollment, and many programs will transfer to a baccalaureate program once the graduate is licensed or certified.
A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Thomas has been a successful senior executive at hospitals in four states, including California, Florida, Georgia and Missouri. His past leadership experience has been in for-profit hospitals and academic medical center settings. His commitment to operational efficiencies with excellence is evident in past accomplishments and responsibilities.
Thomas has been hired into roles to grow existing service lines, successfully attain and retain accreditation, drive critical departments through the turnaround process all while enhancing the patient experience and increasing employee engagement. Some of his past departmental responsibilities include the Emergency Department, Trauma, Surgical Services, Anesthesia, Radiology, Pharmacy, Rehabilitation Services, Environmental Services, Radiation Oncology, a Pain Clinic, and Laboratory Services as well as many others.
He has served as Assistant Administrator at BJ West County Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri; Senior VP of Operations for Grady Health System in Atlanta, Georgia; Chief Operating Officer at St. Lucie Medical Center in Port St. Lucie, Florida; and Associate Administrator at Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center in Thousand Oaks, California.
“Mr. Thomas brings a wealth of knowledge within the health and hospital care sector, which will translate well into the classroom setting,” said Dr. Mary Ostrye, Senior Vice President and Provost at Ivy Tech Community College. “Our students, faculty and staff will benefit from Mr. Thomas' vast health-care experience, and he will bring valuable insight and direction regarding curriculum development, clinical training and the classroom experience to the college.”
In his various roles as a hospital executive, Thomas has been responsible for the development and construction of a $22 million Orthopedic & Spine Institute, as well as the opening of an Outpatient Lab with multi-specialty physician practices resulting in a 40 percent increase in volume and a 33 percent increase in revenue.
He has also implemented several successful service projects including the implementation of a Patient Navigator Program to re-direct non-emergent patients to primary care and specialty clinics to reduce overcrowding resulting in 31 percent of the eligible pool of patients being navigated to other care sites.
Thomas has also co-led supply chain initiatives for a hospital generating over $200,000 in savings, re-negotiated the outsourced pharmacy performance contract for an annualized savings of $670,000, and led project budget plans to create net revenue gains for facility operations.
Prior to joining Ivy Tech, Thomas was the Campus Administrator of Arlington High School, a 7th – 12th grade college preparatory high school in Indianapolis where he was tasked to be the turnaround school operator. Thomas’ first professional introduction into education was in 2002, where he taught Algebra II and Geometry for St. Louis Public Schools in the inner city. He has been an adjunct faculty instructor, teaching multiple upper level collegiate courses.
Thomas received his Bachelor of Science degree in Health Care Management from Harris-Stowe State University and earned his Master’s degree in Health Care Leadership from Dartmouth College. He has been an active member of the American College of Healthcare Executives since 2000. In 2003, Thomas joined the National Association of Health Services Executives where he has been a member and a past Southern California Chapter President. He is also member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and founding member of the collegiate chapter of 100 Black Men at Harris-Stowe State University. He is joined here in Indianapolis by his wife, Rachelle.
Ivy Tech Community College is the state's largest public postsecondary institution and the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system serving nearly 200,000 students annually. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana. It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering affordable degree programs and training that are aligned with the needs of its community along with courses and programs that transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.
Source: Ivy Tech Community College