Vander Kolk takes over as St. Agnes Healthcare CEO

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Keith Vander Kolk took over Monday as president and CEO of St. Agnes Healthcare and vice president of Ascension Health.

Vander Kolk most recently worked as an executive for Johns Hopkins Medicine in Saudi Arabia. He served as the chief executive of Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, a $1.3 billion joint venture between Johns Hopkins Medicine and Aramco. His responsibilities involved overseeing the organization’s operations that included a 330-bed health center 82 contracted facilities and nine executive-level direct reports

“We are excited to have Keith lead Saint Agnes as we pursue our strategy of developing regional clinically integrated systems of care to support the delivery of compassionate, personalized care to all persons, especially those in poverty who are struggling the most,” Patricia A. Maryland, president, health care operations and chief operating officer, Ascension Health, said in a news release

Vander Kolk, who holds a bachelor and master’s degrees from the University of Iowa, succeeds Bonnie Phipps, who now serves as senior vice president and group ministry operating executive of Ascension Health.

“I look forward to contributing my experience toward continuing Saint Agnes’ 150-year mission and legacy as a vibrant Catholic health care ministry by leading the overall strategy and operations of Saint Agnes Healthcare,” Vander Kolk said. “As president and CEO, I plan to support all our associates and physicians as we realize the vision of Saint Agnes, strengthening the ministry with a keen focus on improving population health in the areas we serve and continuing to provide compassionate, personalized and high-quality care.”