Ken Paulus to Become Next President and CEO of Allina Hospitals & Clinics

Ken Paulus, chief operating officer (COO) of Allina Hospitals & Clinics, will become the organization’s next president and CEO when Dick Pettingill retires in 2009.

To ensure a smooth transition, Paulus will assume the title of president and COO on July 1, 2008. Over the next 12 months, all CEO duties will be transferred to Paulus. At that time, Pettingill will become CEO emeritus through the end of 2009.

The decision is the result of a 24-month comprehensive succession-planning process led by the Board of Directors.

“We are very pleased with the leadership Ken has demonstrated since arriving at Allina in 2006,” said Ed Spencer, Jr., chair of the Allina Board of Directors. “Ken is a results-oriented leader, has developed strong partnerships with physicians and is completely committed to advancing our performance and quality agenda. The board unanimously believes Ken has the qualities to continue to grow and strengthen Allina and deliver on our strategic vision. We are confident that he will carry on the tradition of truly exceptional leadership Dick has established at Allina.”

Allina is the region’s largest not-for-profit health care organization. The organization is experiencing growth in a changing marketplace with the recent acquisition of a number of primary care groups. Last year, Allina was recognized for having the most comprehensive electronic medical record in the nation, which is central to its strategy of providing patient-centered care across the continuum from prevention and chronic disease management to acute and end of life care.

“I’m honored to become the next leader of Allina,” Paulus said. “It’s especially gratifying to take the reins from one of our industry’s and our community’s truly visionary leaders. Under Dick Pettingill’s leadership, Allina has established a solid foundation and the organization is poised to deliver significant breakthroughs in the delivery of integrated, safe and effective care. It is indeed both an honor and a privilege to serve our caregivers and communities in such an important endeavor.”

As Chief Operating Officer, Paulus, 48, has been responsible for the operations of Allina’s 11 hospitals, specialty operations and clinic groups, the Allina Medical Clinic and Aspen Medical Group. As well, he has led numerous growth initiatives, including a number of joint ventures, partnerships and acquisitions.

Paulus came to Allina from Massachusetts-based Health One Care System and the Harvard Vanguard Clinic, where he was president and CEO. Health One is one of the nation’s largest physician organizations and a teaching and research affiliate of Harvard Medical School. In addition to his leadership at Health One, Paulus served as the chief operating officer for Partners Community Health Care/Partners Health Care System, also a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School.

“I feel extremely proud and blessed to have led Allina since 2002,” said Pettingill. “We have accomplished a tremendous amount, and I know Ken will keep us moving forward as we provide exceptional care and strive to transform our health care system to become more patient-centered.”

Allina Hospitals & Clinics is a not-for-profit health care system of hospitals, clinics and other patient care services that provides exceptional care to communities throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin and employs more than 22,000 people. Allina Hospitals & Clinics facilities, services and jobs can be found online at www.allina.com.