Image via Saint Agnes Medical Center Facebook page

Saint Agnes Medical Center revealed this week that President and CEO Nancy Hollingsworth will retire later this month as the hospital system undergoes a regional leadership transition.

The news was first reported by The Fresno Bee.

Hollingsworth first joined Saint Agnes as an oncology nurse in 1982 after earning a nursing degree from Fresno State. She later left Saint Agnes for Vanderbilt University in Tennessee to earn a Master of Science in Nursing and a Master of Business Administration.

This opened the door to a 7-year career in health care strategy and operations with international firm Deloitte Consulting, helping organizations improve performance nationwide.

Hollingsworth returned to Fresno in 2007 to accept the position of chief nursing officer at Saint Agnes Medical Center.

In 2010, Hollingsworth was promoted to chief operating officer and then president and CEO in 2011. Under her leadership, Saint Agnes implemented its first electronic health records system and completed the 6-story North Wing expansion. During that time, the hospital grew from a standalone medical center to a health system comprising a medical foundation, more than 20 primary, specialty and urgent care clinics, a health plan, joint ventures and a graduate medical education program.

“Who could have imagined, when she began her career as a new nurse at Saint Agnes more than 40 years ago, how her influence would help shape the future of healthcare in the Central Valley. I know I am not alone in saying that she will be deeply missed, but her impact on Saint Agnes and our community will be felt for many years to come,” wrote Saint Agnes board Chairman Robert Oliver in a letter to employees.

 

Hollingsworth’s last day as president and CEO will be May 26, at which time David Spivey will be appointed interim president and market leader. He recently served as interim president and CEO for St. Mary’s Health System in Athens, Georgia.

Another change is in the works for Saint Agnes via its parent health system Trinity Health, a nonprofit that operates 92 Catholic-affiliated hospital across the country — one necessitated by challenges facing hospitals across the country including patient volumes, staffing challenges and higher costs.

“Our Trinity Health ministries are working to address these same issues,” said Benjamin Carter, Trinity Health chief operating officer, in a letter to Saint Alphonsus Health System in Boise, Idaho, and Saint Agnes providers. “This environment requires us to be responsive to these changes for our ministries to remain viable and continue our Mission of caring for the many communities who depend on us.”

Trinity has decided to “regionalize” Saint Agnes Health and Saint Alphonsus Health System in hopes that it will lead to streamlined management and decision making, reduce administrative costs and improve overall operating performance.

As part of the restructure, President and CEO of Saint Alphonsus Odette Bolano will serve in that role for the new regional entity.

Despite the restructuring of the two ministries, the board of directors for Saint Agnes and Saint Alphonsus will remain separate. To achieve greater alignment, each board chair and vice chair will be added as a member of the other ministry’s board, according to the letter.

“As we work to transform and create this new regional ministry, we should remember who we are, the Mission that drives us and the values we live by,” said Carter. “The work we have in front of us is critical and will require focused attention on the best ways to serve our communities, transform and grow for future success. Thank you for your continued dedication and service to patients in our region.”