Ascension Health announced this afternoon Bernie Sherry, chief operating officer of Ascension’s Saint Thomas Health in Nashville, Tenn., will lead its Wisconsin operations beginning April 4.
Sherry will replace interim Wisconsin Ministry Market Executive Vince Caponi, who Ascension says was instrumental in finalizing the deal to acquire Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare Group. Ascension officially acquired Wheaton and its eight Wisconsin hospitals on March 1.
Wheaton is one of four regional health care systems that are part of Ascension Wisconsin. A December BizTimes Milwaukee cover story looked at several aspects of the merger and how patients and business owners could benefit, if executed correctly.
Sherry’s official title at the helm of Ascension Wisconsin will be senior vice president of Ascension Health and Wisconsin Ministry Market Executive.
“Ascension has been a long-standing contributor to the health and economic activity of Wisconsin through these mission-focused health systems,” Sherry said. “I’m looking forward to leading the health systems of Ascension Wisconsin as we work even more closely together to improve the health and well-being of Wisconsin residents.”
During his 15 years at Saint Thomas Health, Sherry served as executive vice president of system integration, and president and chief executive officer of the system’s Midtown and West hospitals. Before joining Saint Thomas, Sherry held leadership roles at Greenville Health System in South Carolina.
Sherry has a bachelor’s degree from Gannon University in Erie, Penn. and a masters in health administration from the Medical University of South Carolina.
Patricia Maryland, president of health care operations and chief operating officer of Ascension Health, said she is excited to have Sherry on board to further integrate operations across the state.
“Now that the Southeast Wisconsin operations of Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare have joined Ascension Wisconsin, we are truly becoming integrated across the entire state,” Maryland said.
