St. Joseph Names New CEO

St. Joseph Medical Center announced its new CEO Friday, as the Towson hospital looks to put several years of legal turmoil behind it.

Charles W. Neumann will take the reins at St. Joseph on Aug. 23, succeeding Jeffrey K. Norman, who announced his resignation in late July.

“I know St. Joseph Medical Center and I admire its mission, its outstanding physicians and its commitment to the community for quality care and outstanding clinical programs,” Neumann said in a press release. “Healthcare in the United States is in transition and I look forward to developing and implementing strategies and operational improvements that assist St. Joseph Medical Center in achieving its full potential.”

Neumann comes to St. Joseph from his role as a senior operations executive at FTI Healthcare Group in Boston. His more than 30 years of experience also include five years as senior vice president of operations for Bon Secours Health System in Marriottsville.

“The board immediately recognized Chuck’s passion for quality and his commitment to work with the medical community,” Edward J. Gilliss, chairman of the medical center’s board of directors, said in a press release. “The transition in leadership will be seamless. The board thanks Jeff Norman for his good work and service to St. Joseph Medical Center. Over the past two years, we’ve built a strong base for Chuck to lead our medical staff, employees and board forward with a keen focus on delivering quality services to our patients.”

The hospital has been through several legal battles in recent years, many related to cardiologist Dr. Mark G. Midei. Midei allegedly placed stents in patients who may not have needed them and took kickbacks from stent manufacturers. The scandal was the subject of a and led the hospital to a over the kickbacks. Midei has since , alleging it used him as a scapegoat and sabotaged his reputation. In July, the Maryland Board of Physicians

Beth O'Brien, senior vice president and group executive of Colorado-based Catholic Health Initiatives, the hospital's parent, said she believes Neumann is the right person to turn around St. Joseph's reputation.

“Chuck understands what St. Joseph Medical Center has accomplished over the past two years. More importantly, he understands that the future will be built on a strong relationship with the medical staff and St. Joseph’s unwavering commitment to quality care,” O’Brien said. “Chuck will be a great partner for the board and leader for the medical center.”