Joy M. Grosser, a 20-year health IT veteran, will take the CIO post at University Hospitals’ 18-hospital network in Ohio, effective September 12.
After an extensive nationwide search, University Hospitals’ executives announced their pick to succeed Sue Schade, who has filled the position as interim CIO. Schade is moving to Rhode Island, where she will be closer to her family on the East Coast.
In her new role, Grosser, who most recently served as vice president at UnityPoint Health in West Des Moines, Iowa, will lead major initiatives to optimize information technology performance at every level of the UH Hospitals health system.
Before UnityPoint, Grosser was CIO at UC Urvine for eight years, from 2000 to 2008.
On her LinkedIn page, in addition to extensive IT experience in large healthcare systems, Grosser highlights strategic planning and integration experience for major organizational initiatives among her strengths.
UH officials said Grosser would work closely with administrative and clinical leaders to implement strategies that enhance the UH experience for patients, physicians and employees.
She will report to Michael A. Szubski, University Hospitals’ chief financial officer.
“We look forward to welcoming Joy to Northeast Ohio," Szubski said. “Her impressive accomplishments and collaborative leadership style will advance our mission and help us achieve our information technology improvement goals.”
[See also: CHIME: Is a happy CIO a better CIO?.]
At the core of the $4 billion UH health system is University Hospitals Case Medical Center, the primary affiliate of Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.
As for Schade, she and her husband have sold their house in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and moved to the Providence, Rhode Island, area.
[See also: Sue Schade leaves University of Michigan, heads to Cleveland for interim CIO role ]
“We now live near some beautiful New England beaches and less than an hour from all four of our grandchildren – all part of the master plan,” she wrote on August 19 in her blog, where she muses on a range of work/life issues.
Twitter: @Bernie_HITN
Email the writer: bernie.monegain@himssmedia.com