Executive leadership changes at Health First
 Larry Garrison, Executive Vice President/COO of Health First, announced today two new executive level appointments: Jerry Senne, current CEO of Health First Health Plans, has been appointed as the new President/CEO of Holmes Regional Medical Center, the flagship hospital for the healthcare system; Chris Kennedy, current President/CEO of Holmes Regional Medical Center, has been named the President/CEO of the new Viera Hospital. These changes are effective September 1.
“Both of these changes will allow two very capable executives to provide needed leadership to two important components of Health First to meet changing needs of the community,” said Garrison. Senne has a total of 12 years of experience with Health First; Kennedy has a total of 28 years including President/CEO of Cape Canaveral Hospital. “We are very fortunate to have these two healthcare executives continue to provide excellent leadership in terms of quality, the patient care experience, and operational results,” said Garrison.
In his current role of CEO of Health First Health Plans, Senne has been instrumental in creating a vision and structure to start and grow the organization to serve 70,000 Health First Health Plan Medicare and commercial members within Brevard County. Today, Health First Health Plan is one of the largest and most successful community-based health insurers in the country having its Medicare Plans ranked by US NEWS/National Committee for Quality Assurance as 24th in the nation among “America’s Best Health Plans.”
Senne also serves as Senior Vice President/Chief Strategy Officer. He is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and held executive positions with Voluntary Hospitals of America and Orlando Regional MedicalCenter. A Brevard native, Senne is a former Chairman of the Board, Florida Association of Health Plans. He holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Florida.
“I look forward to leading an organization with a rich history of excellence,” said Senne. “Holmes already has in place committed physicians, associates, and volunteers who want to do what is best for patients.” Senne sees his role as continuing to focus on the fundamentals of providing uncompromised safety, superior quality, a positive and memorable patient experience and financial stewardship.
“I will help ensure that we use the community’s resources wisely to achieve exceptional care today and for years and decades to come,” said Senne. “The healthcare needs of the community are changing and this requires us to change what we do and how we do it to meet those challenges that face our patients and the entire community.”
Chris Kennedy, current CEO/President of Holmes Regional Medical Center, has been at Holmes for the past five years. Kennedy was instrumental in enacting the vision for the new $130 million, 144-bed Heart Center, Trauma and Emergency Center that opened at Holmes Regional last fall. Kennedy brings that recent expertise to the development of the Viera Medical Park. He was also the Health First executive responsible for the Healthplex on Merritt Island and the Medical Plaza at Cape Canaveral Hospital.
Previously he was President/CEO of Cape Canaveral Hospital. He holds a Master's of Business Administration from Florida Institute of Technology and is Diplomate of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
“I look forward to the opportunity to build a new hospital from the ground floor up,” said Kennedy. “I will be listening carefully to the residents in the Viera/Suntree area to identify their healthcare needs and design the facility to meet the increasing demand for quality, locally accessible services.”
Part of the 50-acre Viera Health Park, the new Viera Hospital, slated to open late 2010, is an exciting project that will serve the growing Central Brevard community with a campus to include a $100 million, 100-bed hospital. Already, a new Pro-Health & Fitness Center, is under construction and will open in June of 2008. In addition, several medical office buildings, and other health related services will be part of the campus development.
“Health First remains committed to carrying out our mission of providing excellent and compassionate care at Holmes Regional Medical Center as well as at all of our other Healthcare facilities and services, and soon at Viera Hospital.” said Garrison.
|
