CHIPPEWA FALLS…..Leaders of St. Joseph’s Hospital announced two changes in administration of the hospital, an affiliate of Hospital Sisters Health System based in Springfield, Illinois.  Made before hospital colleagues and leaders, physicians and community members, the first announcement was the retirement of David Fish, longtime President and Chief Executive Officer of St. Joseph's and his transition to a new role as HSHS Senior Advisor for Advocacy. The second announcement was the naming of Joan Coffman as incoming President and Chief Executive Officer at St. Joseph’s Hospital.

For the past two years Coffman has been Chief Operating Officer at St. Joseph's.  In this role she has been responsible for the daily operational activities including patient services, physician relations, mission, philanthropy, quality metrics, budget and fiscal goals, information technology and community benefit activities.

 “We are delighted to have Joan serve as President and CEO.  She has exemplary relationship skills with physicians, medical professionals, patients and their families,” said Stephanie S. McCutcheon, HSHS President and CEO.  “She will provide a flawless leadership transition which will maintain the excellent medicine provided at St. Joseph’s,” she added.

"It is indeed an honor for me to be able to continue the mission the Hospital Sisters began in Chippewa Falls 125 years ago," Coffman said.  "St. Joseph's Hospital is unique because it is large enough to provide the medical services and technology most people will ever need in their lives yet the hospital is small enough to provide the individualized care that patients want and deserve.  Our community is very fortunate to have a hospital nearby that continues to be recognized nationally for superior patient satisfaction, quality standards and successful outcomes.  I am inspired to work with a team of colleagues and physicians that make these achievements possible."

Prior to coming to St. Joseph's Hospital, Coffman was Chief Administrative Officer of East Tennessee Medical Group.  She earned her Master's in Business Administration from the University of New Orleans.  She is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, Medical Group Management Association, Wisconsin Hospital Association and Catholic Hospital Association.  Since arriving in Chippewa Falls she has accepted local Board appointments to the United Way of Chippewa County and the Family Support Center. 

Originally from New Orleans, Coffman has one grown son.   She and her husband, Steve, live on a hobby farm near Bloomer.

David Fish has been a community-minded leader at St. Joseph's Hospital for 32 years.  Under his leadership the hospital's medical staff and medical specialties have steadily grown and expanded.  He was instrumental in creating new surgical suites and an ambulatory care center along with a state-of-the-art intensive care unit.  He oversaw the beginning of home health and hospice services, an occupational medicine program to assist area businesses and the expansion of chemical dependency treatment programs in Chippewa Falls and eventually the opening of a treatment center in Green Bay.  More recently, he was responsible for the planning of a new emergency services area that is currently under construction and expected to open late in 2010.  Fish led the hospital to earning the prestigious Press Ganey Summit Award for achieving and maintaining outstanding patient satisfaction levels and for being named in the top 5 percent of hospitals nationwide surveyed by HealthGrades, a leading independent healthcare ratings organization ranking patient care quality, satisfaction and safety.  Fish received the "Grassroots Champion Award" from the American Hospital Association in partnership with the Wisconsin Hospital Association for his longstanding leadership in building community, government and hospital relationships.  

Fish will continue to work with HSHS as a political and government relations advocate working with government and hospital leaders in the creation of legislation providing healthcare that is accessible, affordable and appropriate for all people.

“While we have accomplished much,” said Fish, “there is still much to do.  So far in my career I have worked to keep the care of our patients – especially those who are underserved and marginalized – at the center of all we do.  The goal will be the same in my new role.  The Sisters have always guided us to care for those who are most in need.  We have an opportunity to continue to do that in our advocacy efforts.”

“It is very exciting for us to have Dave continue in the critical area of advocacy where he has excelled,” said Larry P. Schumacher, HSHS Chief Operating Office.  He added, “Dave has been working closely on our efforts in Madison and Washington, DC and will continue to vigorously work for health care reform.”

Coffman will take responsibilities on April 15, 2010.over her new