News Release

Tom Hesselmann Announces Plans To Retire

Mercy Medical Center – Clinton President and CEO will retire in June

Tom Hesselmann, Mercy Medical Center – Clinton President and CEO announced on Friday his plans to retire June 30, 2004. He made his announcement to the medical center’s board, management, employees and physicians throughout the day Friday. A search for a replacement will begin immediately.

“I have mixed feelings about the decision,” said Hesselmann. “Personally and professionally I think the time is right for me to step aside. During my time at Mercy, we have experienced many exciting and challenging opportunities to fulfill our mission of health care delivery. I am confident that our board of directors and the excellent team of staff, managers and physicians can continue to build on these accomplishments in the years to come.”

Hesselmann came to Clinton in 1986 as President and CEO of Gateway Health System, and continued in that same position after the merger of Jane Lamb Health Center and St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in 1989. During Hesselmann’s tenure, he has overseen the merger of St. Joseph Mercy Hospital and Jane Lamb Health Center in 1989; the addition of several new service lines, including radiation therapy, renal dialysis and advances in cardiac treatment capabilities; as well as many facility upgrades to accommodate the healthcare needs of the local community. Under Hesselmann’s leadership, the local board, management team, staff and physicians have worked together to continually improve the quality and service line capabilities at Mercy. The most recent announcement of the construction of Mercy’s new Cancer Center with an upgraded linear accelerator for patients with cancer and cancer-related diagnoses typifies the progressive leadership demonstrated during Hesselmann’s tenure. Once he retires, Hesselmann will remain involved in the Mercy Healthcare Foundation fund-raising initiatives. He also intends to continue his work on local, state and national health care advocacy issues.

Commenting on the announcement, Mercy board chair Ron McGauvran said, “As a board member over the past eight years, I have had the experience of working with Tom in his leadership role here in Clinton and also among his peers in Iowa and within the larger Trinity Health system. Whatever the setting or the circumstance, he always provided effective, knowledgeable leadership and enjoyed inordinate respect of his peers and staff. As a member of the Clinton community, I am especially pleased that Tom is remaining in Clinton and that community organizations and the Mercy Healthcare Foundation will continue to benefit and gain from his involvement and his leadership skills.”

The local Board of Directors, in conjunction with Trinity Health (the Novi, Michigan, based owner of Mercy Medical Center – Clinton) and Mercy Health Network (the network of five Mercy Medical Center health systems in Iowa), will begin the process of identifying potential candidates for the President, CEO position.