|
|
 |
|
|
|
News & Events
|
|
News |
|
|
President/CEO Announces Departure
April 2010
Mary K. Sheehan, MSN, MBA, RN, announced today that she is resigning from her position as president and chief executive officer of Midwest CareCenter effective July 2, 2010.
Sheehan, who joined the organization in 1994, was named president and CEO in January 2007 after serving as chief operating officer since 2005.
“I have been tremendously honored to be involved with this organization and its amazing staff and volunteers—a group so committed to increasing access to care as well as meeting the individual needs of patients and their families during such a critical time of their lives,” said Ms. Sheehan.
“This work has been exceptionally rewarding, and I value the friendships and relationships I’ve developed over my nearly 16 years with Midwest CareCenter as well as the opportunities it has presented to me. It has been my sincere privilege to provide support to patients at the end of life and to their families. I’ve seen the impact that this high-quality, medically excellent care has on their lives, and I know how much the care also positively affects families’ ability to cope with loss.”
Midwest CareCenter Board Chairman Mead Montgomery noted the impact that Ms. Sheehan has had during her tenure with Midwest CareCenter. “Mary’s positive effect on Midwest CareCenter will benefit our community for years to come. She has lent her vision, energy and professionalism to improving access and quality of care for patients facing serious illness and for their families.
“We will miss her leadership immensely, but appreciate the solid foundation she has helped build so that the organization can continue this important work well into the future. With more than 30 years of service, Midwest CareCenter remains committed to its mission of caring for patients with complex or terminal illnesses, and providing support to many in the community who cope with the death of a loved one. I look forward to finding a successor of the highest caliber.”
During her tenure as president and CEO, Ms. Sheehan led Midwest CareCenter through a period of healthcare challenges—locally and nationally—that impacted the way care is delivered and reimbursed. As a result, the organization streamlined operations and refocused efforts on its core services: hospice care, palliative care consultation and grief support. Midwest CareCenter also bolstered its care delivery models and implemented a new Access Center with the goal of responding more efficiently to patient and family needs.
Further, Ms. Sheehan initiated the development of a new inpatient hospice facility on the Midwest CareCenter Glenview campus. The Marshak Inpatient Hospice Pavilion, currently under development, will be the first and only freestanding hospice in Cook County and is expected to open for patients the first quarter of 2012.
The 16-bed inpatient hospice facility will make it possible for patients who cannot be cared for at home to be cared for in a homelike setting. Overlooking a nature preserve, the 20,000-square-foot structure, which also will include a healing garden, is being designed by two of the country’s leading hospice architects and will be a certified “green” building. As part of this plan, the Waud Family Healing Garden also will be designed especially for those coping with serious illness, the death or a love one or anticipatory grief.
The author or co-author of numerous professional journal articles on the care of individuals with terminal illnesses, Ms. Sheehan has spoken regionally and nationally on end-of-life care. She also has served on boards and committees for numerous national organizations that focus on advancing access and education in palliative care and hospice.
Midwest CareCenter has retained Kittleman & Associates to begin a national search process for a new president and CEO; that process already is underway, and a search committee of the Board of Directors has been formed. It is being led by Tom Hodson, a past chairman of the Board.
|
|
|
|
|
