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Health Services Graduate Named President and CEO of Franciscan Services Corporation

07/21/10

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 22, 2010

James W. Pope Named President and CEO of Franciscan Services Corporation

Sylvania, OH – Sister Diana Lynn Eckel, OSF, Congregational Minister of the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio, and John J. Hall, MD, Chairperson of the Franciscan Services Corporation (FSC) Board of Trustees, have announced the appointment of James W. Pope, FACHE, as the new President and CEO of Franciscan Services Corporation. On August 23, 2010, Mr. Pope will succeed John W. O’Connell, FACHE, who held the position for twenty-six years and is retiring. Franciscan Services Corporation is the health and human services ministry of the Sisters.

A native Ohioan, Mr. Pope has more than thirty-two years experience in the healthcare field. Before joining FSC, he held the position of regional president for the Southwest Region of Summa Health System, one of the largest integrated delivery systems in Ohio. In 2007, he was instrumental in leading the merger of Summa Barberton Hospital with Wadsworth-Rittman Hospital, and became president of the consolidated facilities in 2008. Summa Health System, which operates 1,800 beds and has over 10,000 employees, includes six hospitals, four community health centers, and insurance company, an employee physician group and a foundation. Mr. Pope’s extensive experience at the CEO level also encompassed leadership positions held at healthcare facilities throughout the Midwest including St. Vincent Frankfort Hospital in Indiana, Provena United Samaritans Medical Center in Illinois, Norton Spring View Hospital and Manor in Kentucky, and Orange County Hospital in Indiana.

 Mr. Pope holds a Master of Science Degree in Hospital & Health Administration from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio, and a Bachelor or Science Degree in Management/Health Care from Park College, Wright Patterson AFB, also in Ohio. He is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) and was recognized as their 1997 “Young Healthcare Executive of the Year” for the southern Indiana region. Mr. Pope also serves on the Ohio Hospital Association’s Committee on Advocacy and Policy as well as on several local and regional community organizations.

As President of Franciscan Services Corporation, Mr. Pope will be responsible for the operation and growth of the Sisters’ health and human services ministry. The FSC System, with member organizations in Ohio, Texas and Kentucky, currently includes five hospitals, seven long-term care facilities, four assisted living facilities, independent senior housing, a counseling center, and a long-term shelter for victims of domestic violence. When informed of his appointment, Mr. Pope stated: "I am truly honored to have been chosen to lead Franciscan Services Corporation. My wife Mary and I look forward to becoming more deeply involved with such a values based organization."

Contact:     Diane Knerr

                    Director of Communications

                    Franciscan Services Corporation

                    Phone: 419-882-8373

                    Email:  dknerr@fscsylvania.org