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Affinity Health System CEO Nolan Announces Retirement

Posted on: Tuesday, 6 September 2005, 15:01 CDT

Sep. 2--Kevin Nolan, president and chief executive officer of Affinity Health System since 1999, is retiring, effective Sept. 30, 2006.

With more than 4,000 workers, Menasha-based Affinity is the Fox Cities' third-largest employer. It runs three hospitals, 17 clinics, a long-term care center and Network Health Plan.

The 58-year-old Nolan said he wanted to give Affinity's board of directors and sponsors -- Ministry Health Care in Milwaukee and Wheaton Franciscan System in Wheaton, Ill. -- ample time to find a replacement.

"We actually started to look at succession planning 18 months ago. I told the board this week of my plans to retire," he said. "A search committee is now being formed to find my successor."

Looking back at his time with Affinity, Nolan said he is most proud of the recognition earned by the system's physicians and nurses. "It was great seeing St. Elizabeth Hospital (in Appleton) and Mercy Medical (Center in Oshkosh) being named to the nation's top 100 hospital list," he said. "It was gratifying to be rewarded for our hard work and our quality."

Dr. John Toussaint, president and chief executive director of ThedaCare -- the other locally-owned health system besides Affinity -- called Nolan a good competitor who helped make the Fox Cities a place where "competition has led to improved quality and cost management."

Although competitors, Toussaint praised the way Nolan was willing to team up on projects such as the Bridges Healthy Cooking School, rebuilding the local kidney program and the Fox Cities Community Health Center.

"We have really tried to work together on things where it didn't make sense for us to compete," Toussaint said. "I am really proud of the work we have done together and I think Kevin is too."

Since coming to Affinity, Nolan integrated the merger of three hospitals, a medical group, a health plan and a long-term care facility into one health care system.

"I know we have been through some very challenging times and I am grateful for your support, effort and dedication," he said.

Support from employees "has allowed us to achieve some amazing things, which I strongly believe has positioned Affinity for a successful future."

After he steps down from Affinity, Nolan said he and his wife will move to Scottsdale, Ariz., where they have a residence.

"I don't know yet what I'll be doing. I'm going to explore my options," he said. "I look forward to exploring new and different things after being in health care for 34 years."

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Copyright (c) 2005, The Post-Crescent, Appleton, Wis.

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Source: The Post-Crescent

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