Fort Wayne Hospital Names CEO
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA Lutheran Health Network executive is moving from one Fort Wayne hospital to another. Orthopedic Hospital Chief Executive Officer Kenneth Jones will take the helm at St. Joseph Hospital.
July 3, 2014
News Release
Fort Wayne, Ind. — St. Joseph Hospital is turning to a member of its extended family to become its new chief executive officer. Kenneth Jones, the current CEO of The Orthopedic Hospital of Lutheran Health Network, has been chosen by St. Joe's board of trustees to fill the hospital's highest administrative position. His official start date is July 28.
“Kenneth's experience as a leader in both hospital and physician practice settings lends itself well to the opportunities he’ll encounter running a facility located in an area that’s expected to receive an influx of new residents in the very near future,” said Brian Bauer, chief executive officer, Lutheran Health Network. “His perspective as an administrator, husband, and father of two young children will be important to a growing hospital in a revitalized downtown.”
Jones was named CEO of The Orthopedic Hospital in March 2013. In October, TOH was recognized for the third time in as many years by The Joint Commission as a Top Performer on Key Quality Measures for surgical care. Jones’ professional development and community involvement includes earning a Six Sigma Green Belt certification, being a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and board membership with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Science Central, Turnstone and Fort Wayne Urban League.
“I'm excited to be a part of the energy that’s being generated in downtown Fort Wayne,” said Jones. “The commitment Lutheran Health Network and St. Joseph Hospital made nearly 16 years ago to modernize the hospital while providing quality care for those living in and around the heart of the city continues to be fulfilled daily. I don’t think you can underestimate how important it is for a growing central city to have a strong, full-service hospital and vice versa.”
Prior to arriving in Fort Wayne, Jones was the CEO of Heekin Orthopedic Specialists in Jacksonville, Fla. He also served in administrative and leadership positions at hospitals in Florida and Georgia, where he was responsible for overseeing multiple areas, including neurosciences, surgical services, orthopedics and ambulatory care. At the beginning of his professional career, Jones was administrator of the ambulatory surgery center at Duke University Hospital, where he was also part of the administrative fellowship program.
Jones was born in Atlanta and raised in nearby Decatur, Ga. He earned a master's in healthcare administration and a master's in business administration from the University of Minnesota in 2003. He received a bachelor’s in biology from Florida A&M University in Tallahassee in 2000.
Jones and his wife, Hope, are the parents of two sons, Kenneth Preston Jones II and Cooper. The Jones family enjoys keeping active. Golf and basketball are two of Kenneth’s favorite pastimes. Hope is a travel agent and educator.
Jones replaces Eric Looper who announced May 28 that he would be leaving St. Joe July 3 to take a hospital administrator post closer to family and friends in Texas. Looper’s new role will be CEO of the Hill Country Region of Baylor Scott & White Health.
Source: Lutheran Health Network