St. Catherine Hospital CEO to Retire

The chief executive officer of St. Catherine Hospital in East Chicago has announced her retirement. Jo Ann Birdzell, who has served in the role since 1997, will step down July 4.

Birdzell was one of the leaders who helped create the Community Healthcare System, which also operates Community Hospital in Munster and St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart. John Gorski, president and CEO of Community Healthcare System, called Birdzell a role model for employees and the community.

"Jo Ann has been a staunch advocate for addressing the needs of the medically underserved, and has worked tirelessly to bring much needed financial resources to a safety-net hospital for so many," said Gorski. "Above all, she has set a very high bar for offering the highest quality medical care to all who pass through the doors of St. Catherine Hospital."

Birdzell said she is retiring because, "it’s time." The health system says an announcement about Birzell’s successor will be made in the near future.