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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (OCT. 17, 2017) – Spectrum Health President & CEO Richard C. Breon today announced plans to retire, effective January 1, 2019.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as the leader of this outstanding health system during a time of intensive growth and innovation,” said Richard C. Breon, President & CEO, Spectrum Health. “I am confident that Spectrum Health is well-positioned for the future. We have a strong mission, a clear vision and engaged people who are dedicated to the success of the organization and the communities we serve.”

“Under Rick’s leadership, Spectrum Health has been a leader in changing the face of health care, but more important, the organization has changed the paradigm of what’s possible when it comes to care for patients and families right here in West Michigan,” said Dick DeVos, Chairman, Spectrum Health System Board of Directors. “Rick is a remarkable leader, who has led Spectrum Health through a transformational time that will impact generations to come.”

Since 2000, Breon has led West Michigan’s only locally-governed, not-for-profit health system through a period of tremendous and unprecedented growth and development. Spectrum Health was created in 1997 by the merger of two Grand Rapids community hospitals, Butterworth Health Corporation and Blodgett Memorial Medical Center. The organization began with 7,500 employees. Twenty years later, it is the region’s largest job provider with more than 25,000 employees. This includes a medical staff of 3,400, more than 1,400 of them members of the Spectrum Health Medical Group.

Through mergers with community hospitals throughout Michigan, the system has grown to encompass 12 hospitals, 180 ambulatory and service sites, and Priority Health, one of the nation’s largest provider-owned health plans. A $710 million operation in 1997, Spectrum Health will generate more than $6 billion in revenue in the upcoming fiscal year.

“The commitment and dedication of our employees and physicians have provided Spectrum Health with our most meaningful accomplishments—those that make a significant difference in the lives of our patients, members and families,” said Breon.  “Our growth has been framed by our mission of improving health in the communities we serve. That has been our compass for making strategic decisions about where to invest in programs and services.”

Spectrum Health has invested heavily in health care infrastructure and in high-quality care that has had a major impact on West Michigan’s patients and families during Breon’s tenure. Spectrum Health’s development has also changed the face of downtown Grand Rapids and served as a catalyst for economic growth in the area.

Spectrum Health’s significant growth has been marked by advancements that addressed critical needs in the West Michigan region. Expanded services include:

• Richard DeVos Heart and Lung Transplant Program, which provides the first and only heart and lung transplants in West Michigan.
• Fred and Lena Meijer Heart Center, with West Michigan’s only accredited chest pain center and first in volume in the state among hospitals that perform open heart surgery.
• Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, which provides 300 pediatric physicians in 50 pediatric specialties and programs.
• Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion, which offers the region’s most advanced array of outpatient cancer services within a single, healing environment.

Spectrum Health has been nationally recognized in recent years for numerous advancements in care:

• In 2017, Spectrum Health was again named one of the nation’s 15 Top Health Systems by Truven Health Analytics™. This is the sixth time since 2010 that the organization received this recognition.
• In 2016, Spectrum Health received the Foster G. McGaw Prize for Excellence in Community Service in recognition of efforts to improve the health of individuals and reduce health care costs.
• Spectrum Health also received the prestigious AHA NOVA Award that year for its work to improve maternal and infant health among African Americans and Latinos in Kent County.
• Recently, Priority Health HMO was named by the State of Michigan to serve as the essential health benefits benchmark plan for all individual and group HMO plans in the state.

Breon graduated from Iowa State University in 1973 and received a master’s degree in health care administration from the University of Iowa in 1980. After holding leadership positions at hospitals in Iowa and Texas, in 1989, he accepted his first CEO position with Mercy Hospital in Iowa City. In 1995, Breon became president and chief executive officer of St. Mary’s Hospital and Medical Center in Evansville, Indiana. He was named President and CEO of Spectrum Health in 2000.

Breon has served on the American Hospital Association Regional Policy Board (Section Delegate 2001-2003; Section Alternate 1997-2000, Chair Nova Award Committee), the Michigan Hospital Advisory Commission (2002), the Michigan Certificate of Need (CON) Commission (2001-2003), the Michigan Health & Hospital Association Board of Trustees (Trustee 2001-2009; Chair 2007-2008) and is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

His civic commitments include leadership roles with The Right Place Inc. (Chair 2015-2016, Member of Executive Committee), Regional Air Alliance (Board Member 2010-present), The Economic Club of Grand Rapids (Member of Emeritus Board; Past Chair 2006-2007), The West Michigan Policy Forum (Board Member 2008-present), University of Iowa Alumni Association Board (Member 2004-2009) and Grand Rapids Symphony Board of Directors (2008-2012).

Breon’s awards include a 2017 induction into the Junior Achievement of West Michigan Business Hall of Fame, a 2013 Honorary Doctorate from Davenport University, the 2011 Kent County Dept. of Veterans Affairs Hero’s Salute, the 2009 American College of Healthcare Executives Regent’s Award, a 2008 Honorary Doctorate from Grand Valley State University and the 2003 University of Iowa College of Public Health Outstanding Alumni Award.

In the coming years, Breon looks forward to traveling and spending time with his family.

The Spectrum Health System Board of Directors will engage an outside firm for an internal and external search for Breon’s successor.

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People are at the heart of everything we do, and the inspiration for our legacy of outstanding outcomes, innovation, strong community partnerships, philanthropy and transparency. Corewell Health is a not-for-profit health system that provides health care and coverage with an exceptional team of 60,000+ dedicated people—including more than 11,500 physicians and advanced practice providers and more than 15,000 nurses providing care and services in 21 hospitals, 300+ outpatient locations and several post-acute facilities—and Priority Health, a provider-sponsored health plan serving more than 1.3 million members. Through experience and collaboration, we are reimagining a better, more equitable model of health and wellness. For more information, visit corewellhealth.org.

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