William “Bill” Petasnick, former president and chief executive officer of Froedtert Health, died on November 8 at the age of 76.
Petasnick led the Milwaukee-based health system from 1993 to 2012, during which time he Work on long-term development, physician integration, fundraising and government relations missions, according to a Froedtert Health press release. He was succeeded by Cathy Jacobson, who continues to lead the system.
“In his 19 years of service to Froedtert Health, Bill has transformed our organization from half a hospital operated in partnership with Milwaukee County to a center of academic health, health system and health network. integrated academics,” Jacobson said in a statement. “He fosters collaboration among competitors, builds organizations to drive quality and safety improvements, and enhances access and coordination for underserved patients. service.”
While working at Froedtert Health, Mr serve as chair on the Board of Directors of the American Hospital Association in 2008. “Throughout his career, Bill has focused on his efforts to improve patients’ lives and create healthy communities,” said President and AHA CEO Rick Pollack said in a news release.
Petasnick has also served as president of the Hospital and Health Systems Teaching Councils of the Association of American Medical Colleges and the Wisconsin Hospital Association.
He was awarded the AHA’s highest honors, the Service Excellence Award in 2016 and the Wisconsin Hospital Association Distinguished Service Award in 2005.
Prior to joining Froedtert Health, Petasnick was an administrator and chief operating officer at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinic in Iowa City and executive director at the University of North Carolina Hospital and Clinic in Chapel Hill.
In addition to instructing healthcare organizations, Petasnick also teaches as an adjunct associate professor of health management at the University of Iowa.
