CHICAGO, IL – November 7, 2017 – The Loretto Hospital announced that its Board of Trustees has appointed George N. Miller, Jr. MHSA, FACHE as the new President and Chief Executive Officer effective Nov. 1, 2017, the first African-American CEO in the hospital’s history. Miller is the former President and CEO of CommUnityCare Health Centers, the largest FQHC in Texas and the 10th largest in America, as well as served on the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack H. Obama. His appointment is a strategic move by the Board to help drive decisions to improve health equity for Austin residents.
“With the changing landscape of health care, this is the perfect time for George Miller to serve as Loretto’s next CEO. George is a very strong leader, with a successful track record for transforming both small and large health care organizations. We believe this is the right decision in order for The Loretto Hospital to meet the growing health care needs of the communities it serves,” said Chairman of the Board Edward M. Hogan, who is also founding partner and lawyer at Hogan Marren Babbo & Rose, Ltd.
Miller, who on his first day at Loretto walked the halls to greet every employee, is widely known as an expert in turnaround operations, for motivating his staff, and for delivering nationally recognized health care quality to complex organizations. With more than 28 years of experience, Miller has served as a senior health care executive and thought leader specializing in community health advocacy, health care operations and physician engagement.
“I am inspired by the people at The Loretto Hospital, its history, its mission, the work they have done in the community, and the vast improvements they have made over the years. But there is still so much work to be done. We have to be excellent. We have to be the very best in Chicago. Everyone has to be part of the process to deliver excellent health care. Therefore, we will work asa team to improve access to quality care, efficiency in operations and patient satisfaction in this community,” Miller said.
Under Miller’s leadership, health care organizations have experienced immense growth both with regard to its human capital and financially. As the CEO at CommUnityCare in Austin, Texas, Miller led the organization to receive more than $55 million for its Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) program, a project initiated under Miller’s administration to expand health care throughout the region. Also under his management, CommUnityCare expanded access to quality health care in underserved communities by opening additional locations, including a new health center which is the largest in Texas, and the only FQHC located on a historically black college campus. In addition, Miller was responsible for increasing CommUnityCare’s revenues from $60 million to $100 million, and its employees from 550 to 850.
Prior to CommUnityCare, Miller served as the CEO concurrently for QHR Quorum Health Resources in Brentwood, TN, and for Okmulgee Memorial Hospital (OMH) in Okmulgee, OK, for two year. While at OMH, the hospital underwent a complete turnaround in its overall operations and was profitable within one year of his leadership. Additional executive leadership positions held include: President and CEO of First Diversity Healthcare Group (FDHG); Regional Vice President and CEO of Community Mercy Health Partners in Springfield, OH; Senior Vice President of Catholic Health Partners (CHP) in Cincinnati, OH; Provena St. Mary’s Hospital in Kankakee, IL; CHRISTUS Jasper Memorial Hospital in Jasper, Texas; Twin Oaks Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas; and Newport News General Hospital in Newport News, VA.
“I use my faith to help me guide where to take an organization, wherever I go. I am from Austin, Texas, coming to help improve health care standards in Austin in Chicago. I think this means something. I was successful in Austin, Texas, and I’ll bring that same success to The Loretto Hospital and to the Austin community in Chicago,” Miller said.
To learn more about George N. Miller, Jr. and The Loretto Hospital please contact Marnie Robinson, Communications Manager, at 708-289-0259 or via email at Marnie.Robinson@lorettohospital.org.