Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - There is new leadership atop Catholic Health, as the healthcare system announced on Wednesday that Mark Sullivan has decided to step down as President and CEO effective Aug. 31. This comes after Sullivan spent 30 years with the company.
Monsignor Robert Zapfel, Chair of Catholic Health’s Corporate Members and Sponsors Council, also announced Wednesday the Council has appointed Joyce Markiewicz, Executive Vice President and Chief Business Development Officer, to succeed Sullivan as the system's new President and CEO.
"Planning for this transition has been underway for quite some time, and has included consultation with the system’s Board of Trustees," said Zapfel in a statement on Wednesday. "We are grateful to Mark for his devotion to our patients, long term care residents, and community over the past three decades. He has made numerous contributions across our system in acute care, primary care, home care, and long term care, while always keeping in mind and heart the Mission of Catholic Health – to bring the healing love of Jesus to all."
Markiewicz will assume her new role on Sept. 1, serving as the fifth President and CEO in Catholic Health’s 25-year history.
"When I was asked to take on this role, I was both humbled and honored," said Markiewicz in an interview with WBEN on Wednesday. "I've been with Catholic Health for 19 years, I've been in numerous positions with Catholic Health, and I've worked closely with Mark during those years. I just have a tremendous commitment to this organization, I believe in what we do, and I believe in our mission. I'm just thrilled I'm going to have the opportunity to be the next leader of this organization."
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Markiewicz began her career as a registered nurse before assuming successive leadership positions in leading Home Health Care organizations. She joined Catholic Health in 2005 as Vice President of Home Care Operations, and was promoted to President and CEO of Home Care the following year after orchestrating a turnaround, leading to double-digit growth for the division.
Soon after, Markiewicz was named President and CEO of Home and Community Based Care, assuming added responsibility for the system’s Nursing Homes and PACE Services, and subsequently for Women’s, Orthopedic, Imaging, and Laboratory Services.
She was eventually named an Executive Vice President at Catholic Health in 2015, before being named EVP and Chief Business Development Officer in 2019.
Markiewicz says it's been a smooth process to this point in the transition to her role as of Sept. 1.
"It's been a very valuable time for Mark and I, because we've actually known about this for a while. When Mark made the decision and the decision was made by both our sponsors and the support of the board of directors that I would step into the role, Mark, and I immediately began to work together more closely on where things are, what we need to be doing, where we need to be focused. He brought me up to date on those things that only CEOs know about. So we've been working very closely now for over a month on this transition, and we still have a few weeks left."
Markiewicz adds she's very grateful to have this opportunity, because it's often in these situations where the incoming CEO doesn't have a chance to work with the previous CEO and be up to speed on the happenings of a company.
Today, Markiewicz is leading the development of Lockport Memorial Hospital, sustaining healthcare for thousands of area residents. She is also responsible for the development of the Sisters Health Center and Food Farmacy at the D’Youville Health Hub, expansion of the system’s Home Care Pharmacy and the creation of its Specialty Pharmacy, and the launch of THRIVE, a unique program to recruit, retain and support frontline caregivers in partnership with the Cleveland Clinic, Ascension Michigan, and the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr.
Foundation.
What more is she hoping to accomplish at Catholic Health once she takes over as President and CEO? Among the items of focus in the future is continuing to find ways to be innovative with healthcare in the face of adversity.
"Health care everywhere is still struggling with the results of the pandemic with rising costs, and all the things that are constantly in the news that we're all familiar with. We're still digging our way out, and we have a long way to go yet," Markiewicz said. "I think some of this will be around being slow and steady, and making sure we stay focused on the work that's ahead of us. I think that's really important. But at the same time, I think it's important for people to know that while we have been going through all of this, there was a lot of work that was being done around new and innovative ideas to better support our community, new businesses that we have grown, despite the fact that we've had all of these challenges. So we will continue to move forward in those spaces."
Known for developing innovative approaches to healthcare and leading highly effective strategic partnerships, Markiewicz has forged new pathways in contemporary healthcare delivery. She has demonstrated a vision and fortitude to chart successful new paths for Catholic Health that recognize the dynamic nature of healthcare today as well as the changing needs of the community.
As for Sullivan, he began his career as an intern at Sisters Hospital in 1994, and steadily rose through the leadership ranks at Catholic Health. He served in roles as Director of Operations and CEO of Home Care, and Catholic Health’s first Chief Operating Officer, before being named President and CEO in 2018.
Sullivan is seen as a respected healthcare executive among industry, business, and political leaders.
During his tenure, Catholic Health became Western New York’s unsurpassed leader in quality and patient safety, with the area’s top star ratings, safety grades, and patient experience scores for its hospitals, nursing homes, home care agencies, and ancillary services. He brought Epic, one of the world’s premier electronic health records, to Catholic Health, and grew diversity, equity and inclusion within the organization.
He also established the system’s ambulatory surgery footprint, spearheaded plans to develop Lockport Memorial Hospital, and was the architect of Catholic Health’s nationally-recognized COVID response efforts, which included the creation of the New York State’s first COVID-only hospital.
For his next chapter, Sullivan plans to pursue opportunities to mentor, educate, and prepare the next generation of healthcare executives.
"I have truly been blessed and humbled to work in and lead such a wonderful ministry with so many outstanding caregivers along my 30-year journey," said Sullivan in a statement. "I’m excited for the next chapter at Catholic Health and handing the reigns to an incredible leader and person in Joyce Markiewicz. There is no doubt she will take the organization to new levels while striving to ensure the community, that entrusts us with its care, has equitable access to high quality healthcare."
"Mark Sullivan has been dedicated to our healthcare ministry for 30 years and we are grateful for his commitment to our mission," said Bishop Michael Fisher with the Catholic Diocese in a statement. "He helped lead the transformation of healthcare in our community and we pray for God’s blessings for him. We also extend our blessings to Joyce Markiewicz as she is named President and CEO of Catholic Health. Her experience, expertise, and commitment to advancing healthcare in our community will assist those associated with Catholic Health continue our shared ministry of healing and service to all those in need."