MIHS Names Chief Medical Officer James Kennedy as Interim CEO

System to begin nationwide search for permanent CEO - March 4, 2005

Maricopa Integrated Health System announced today the appointment of James Kennedy, M.D., to CEO. He will serve in this role as the health care system embarks on a nationwide search for a permanent CEO, according to Bil Bruno, board chairman for the Maricopa Special Health Care District, which oversees the system.

Ted Shaw, who had served as interim CEO for the past year, will temporarily remain on staff to accelerate key projects requiring his expertise. Shaw is a partner in a consulting group specializing in turnarounds in the health care industry. He is credited for initiating some of the financial improvement projects under way at the system.

Kennedy, who also serves as vice president of medical affairs and chief medical officer, has been a strong advocate of MIHS since joining the staff two years ago, and is an accomplished businessman as well as physician. According to Bruno, Kennedy's hands on style has earned him the trust and respect of the physician community. He is also credited with process improvement initiatives, which have benefited both staff and patient care.

Dr. Kennedy's support of our residency programs and his passion for education are well known within and beyond our health care system, said Bruno.

Kennedy is an appointed member of Governor Napolitano's Commission on Medical Education and Research, and serves in an advisory role for the new Phoenix medical school. Prior to joining MIHS, he spent 23 years in private practice. He was a senior executive at a Phoenix area hospital and health system, where he worked to improve efficiencies in both medical operations and business results. He previously developed and managed a successful accredited outpatient surgical facility.

A graduate of Southwestern University in Texas and Baylor College of Medicine, Kennedy's numerous credentials include American Board of Ophthalmology certification, Fellow, American College of Surgeons and the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Chief Flight Surgeon, USAF and Instructor of Advanced Trauma Life Support. He is a former U.S. Air Force Reserve General Officer and served extensively in various medical management and leadership roles in the U.S. Air Force.

Maricopa Integrated Health System is comprised of the Maricopa Medical Center, a 449-bed teaching hospital with a Level 1 trauma center and pediatric trauma services. It is also home to the Arizona Burn Center, the second largest burn treatment facility of its kind in the U.S. Associated facilities include two inpatient behavioral health treatment centers with nearly 200 beds, an HIV-AIDS clinic and 11 family health clinics.

Last updated on October 7, 2008