Milwaukee, Wis. (July 27, 2010) — Catherine Jacobson will join the Froedtert & Community Health senior management team as Executive Vice President for Finance and Strategy, Chief Financial and Strategy Officer on Sept. 1, 2010. Jacobson is currently serving as Senior Vice President for Strategic Planning and Finance and Chief Financial Officer at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. Earlier this year, Blaine O’Connell, Senior Vice President, Finance, and Chief Financial Officer for Froedtert & Community Health, announced his plans to retire at the end of the year.

Cathy Jacobson

Jacobson will be responsible for overseeing the financial and investment planning and strategic initiatives for the health system, which includes Froedtert Hospital, Milwaukee; Community Memorial Hospital, Menomonee Falls; St. Joseph’s Hospital, West Bend; and West Bend Clinic.

“Cathy brings proven fiscal, operational and strategic planning skills and experience in health care and academic medicine,” said David Lubar, Chair of the Search Committee and member of the Froedtert & Community Health Board of Directors. “She has also had numerous appointed and elected leadership roles in the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) reflecting national recognition from her peers as a leader among hospital CFOs.” Jacobson has just completed her term as the National Chair of HFMA and has been on the national board since 2004.

“As the Chief Financial and Strategy Officer, Cathy will further clinical integration among our member organizations as well as develop strategies that strengthen the Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin partnership,” said William Petasnick, President and Chief Executive Officer of Froedtert & Community Health. “At Rush, Cathy guided the organization through a long-term strategic plan that led to the organization's receiving a positive outlook from Moody’s and an A- bond rating. She also played a key role in numerous strategic initiatives such as the development of a regional managed care company formed as a partnership between Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center and the Prudential Insurance Company.”

“I’m excited to join the Froedtert & Community Health team,” Jacobson said. “Froedtert & Community Health is a top-quality organization and well-positioned for continued growth. Froedtert & Community Health provides patients the best of both worlds, combining the benefits of community-based care with the comprehensive services of an academic health center. I also appreciate their collaborative approach to working with physicians. This is a great opportunity for me and I’m looking forward to working with Froedtert & Community Health’s forward-thinking management team and board of directors.”

Jacobson is a graduate of Bradley University, a Certified Public Accountant and Fellow in HFMA. She is married and has three children.

Last Review Date: July 27, 2010