News Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 10, 2006
Gary Mecklenburg announces retirement from Northwestern Memorial HealthCare
After two decades at the helm of Northwestern Memorial Hospital and its parent company, Northwestern Memorial HealthCare, Gary A. Mecklenburg has announced his decision to retire from the organization effective September 1, 2006. The announcement was made at a meeting of its Board of Directors today.
"We are clearly indebted to Gary for 20 years of remarkable leadership, exceptional vision and unwavering commitment," said Edward M. Liddy, chairman, Board of Directors of Northwestern Memorial HealthCare. "All one needs to do is visit our campus, examine quality indicators, ask our patients, talk to hospital leaders and review healthcare industry awards to realize what he has accomplished for this city and region. He leaves a truly outstanding legacy."
The board unanimously named Dean M. Harrison to succeed Mecklenburg as president and chief executive officer of Northwestern Memorial HealthCare effective on September 1.
"In naming Dean Harrison, Northwestern Memorial will benefit from a proven leader for many years to come," said Liddy. "We are in an enviable position to have a very smooth transition, and we know that Dean will take our organization to even greater heights."
Mr. Harrison has served as president and chief executive officer of Northwestern Memorial Hospital since 2002.
"I appreciate this tremendous honor and the confidence Gary and the board have in my abilities," said Harrison. "I look forward to working with our physicians, the leadership of Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine and our campus partners to accelerate Northwestern's recognition as a great contemporary academic medical center."
Mecklenburg has overseen a period of extraordinary growth and financial strength, establishing Northwestern Memorial as one of the country's premier teaching hospitals. Having served as chairman of the both the Illinois and American Hospital Associations, he also has long been recognized as a prominent voice and advocate for healthcare on a national level.
"Our success wouldn't have been possible without incredible support from our board, medical leaders, employees and donors," said Mecklenburg. "Because we've always been committed to attracting the very best talent at all levels of the organization, Northwestern Memorial is very strong and has a bright future. It has been a true honor to serve this magnificent hospital and the people of Chicago."
While retiring from Northwestern Memorial, Mecklenburg will continue his national leadership on healthcare issues. He serves as chairman of the Health Forum and the Healthcare Research and Development Institute. He is a member of the boards of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, the National Alliance for Health Information Technology and the National Center for Healthcare Leadership. He also serves on the boards of Becton Dickinson, Cogent Healthcare and Regency Healthcare.
Mecklenburg began his tenure at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in 1985. In that span, he is credited with:
Achieving financial performance that provided institutional stability and allowed for investment in growth, clinical programs, teaching and research.
Transforming the hospital's campus, located in the Streeterville neighborhood in downtown Chicago, by opening the new Feinberg and Galter pavilions in 1999; the construction of the replacement Prentice Women's Hospital scheduled to open in fall 2007; and the recent acquisition of the Veterans' Administration properties for future development.
Significantly enhancing free care programs and supporting numerous community health and educational outreach programs such as those with the Near North Health Corporation, the Erie Family Health Center, the Lawson House YMCA and the Chicago Public Schools.
Dramatically growing philanthropic support for the hospital, its programs and community services, including the completion of two campaigns in excess of million.
Supporting the recruitment of more than 550 new physicians and growing the total workforce to more than 6,500 physicians and employees.
Mecklenburg, 59, received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Northwestern University and an MBA from the University of Chicago.
His career has included senior leadership positions at the University of Wisconsin Hospitals, Stanford University Hospital, and St. Joseph's Hospital, Milwaukee.
Harrison, 51, joined Northwestern Memorial in 1998 as a senior vice president. Previously, he was the president and chief operating officer of the University of Chicago Health System. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana University and an MBA from St. Francis College. He currently serves as chair of the Metropolitan Chicago Healthcare Council Board of Directors and sits on the boards of the University HealthSystem Consortium, the National Committee for Quality Health Care and the Administrative Board of the Council of Teaching Hospitals.