Grand Rapids, Michigan, December 5, 2007 - Brian D. Jepson has joined Metro Health as executive vice president of growth strategies.
Jepson brings more than a dozen years of health care management to his new role at Metro Health. As executive vice president, Jepson will be responsible for developing and implementing programs designed to grow and enhance Metro's presence in West Michigan. Specifically, he will oversee new physician recruiting and retention, development of new neighborhood outpatient centers and expansion of specialty-care offerings. In his new role, he will serve as community liaison and maintain business relationships with organizations in the Metro Health Village.
"Metro Health is delighted to welcome Brian to this new position," said Mike Faas, president and CEO of Metro Health. "As our organization continues to evaluate growth opportunities, Brian will be the ideal executive to lead our expansion efforts to add new locations and services.
"The transition to our new hospital has gone extremely smoothly. Our patient volume is up across the board, from emergency room visits to outpatient surgeries. Brian and his team will help us accelerate this trend and grow wisely."
Prior to joining Metro Health, Jepson spent seven years as the executive vice president and chief operating officer of Morris Hospital and Healthcare Centers located in Morris, Ill, which is approximately 55 miles southwest of Chicago. Morris is a stand-alone community hospital that operates nine ambulatory facilities with approximately 850 employees.
In this role, he led two major building expansion programs for the hospital totaling nearly $100 million in new construction, developed a regional cancer center and a community cardiovascular program, implemented service excellence standards for patients and physicians and created a free-standing rehabilitation center. Jepson was responsible for key operations of the facilities, including finance, professional services, patient care, marketing, human resources and medical staff.
Prior to joining Morris Hospital, Jepson served in positions of increasing responsibility at the Fairfield Medical Center in Lancaster, Ohio. In his final position there, he served as vice president of professional and support services for the 222-bed regional medical center that had 1,900+ employees.
Active professionally and in the community, Jepson is a fellow with the American College of Healthcare Executives and formerly served on the board of the Deerpath Orthopedic Surgical Center. He was a member of the Illinois Hospital Association, the Chicago Healthcare Executive Forum and served on the underwriting committee for the Illinois Provider Trust.
He has held leadership positions and served on numerous committees with various community organizations, including the Grundy County Chamber of Commerce Board, Grundy County Economic Development Council, District 54 School System, Morris Kiwanis Club and the First Christian Church.
Jepson holds a bachelor of business administration and a master of healthcare administration from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. A native of Warren, Ohio, Jepson now resides in Grand Rapids with his wife Tammy, and their four children.