San Antonio, Texas – January 18, 2018 - Methodist Healthcare System (MHS) CEO Jaime Wesolowski has announced his retirement following a decade of exceptional leadership to the health system and the community. Wesolowski was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Methodist Healthcare System of San Antonio on August 2, 2007. His position put him at the helm of the largest and most preferred health system in South Texas, comprised of nine acute care hospitals and 19 other health facilities. MHS is a 50/50 co-ownership between the local, non-profit Methodist Healthcare Ministries and investor owned HCA.
“Jaime has been a driving force in elevating the System’s quality measures. His quest for excellence in quality started the day he took his position at MHS,” said Dan Johnson, Chairman of the MHS Board of Governors. “A little over ten years later, he has left quite a legacy with MHS hospitals achieving some of the best clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction scores in the region. His passion was fueled by his desire to provide the safest hospital environment possible for all our patients,” added Johnson. The System and its facilities have acquired an unprecedented number of accreditations, awards and designations in health care quality under Wesolowski’s leadership, including the Texas Hospital Association Bill Astor Award in 2012, the Texas Healthcare Quality
Improvement Award in 2012 and the best current Leapfrog quality scores and top CMS and Joint Commission ratings in the region.
Throughout his tenure, Wesolowski led MHS hospitals through tremendous change and unprecedented growth. He was instrumental in expanding the Systems footprint and access points through the construction of the Methodist Boerne Emergency Center, the first freestanding ER in South Texas in 2008; the opening of Methodist Stone Oak Hospital in 2009; the management of four rural hospitals and the acquisitions of Methodist Texsan Hospital in 2011 and Methodist Hospital Atascosa* in 2017. He was also instrumental in establishing the partnership between Methodist Healthcare and Spurs Sports and Entertainment (SS&E), the System’s most comprehensive and dynamic community partnership since its inception.
“From the beginning, Jaime understood that any success Methodist Healthcare System has translates into additional access to care for hundreds of thousands of low-income, uninsured individuals and families through the investments Methodist Healthcare Ministries has made as the local, half-owner of the System. Every success, achievement and milestone Methodist Healthcare System has earned thanks to Jaime’s steady leadership and drive for excellence, has positively influenced greater access to quality care, regardless of ability to pay, for many unfunded patients. Jaime has left an indelible mark, not just at Methodist Healthcare System, but across South Texas,” said Kevin Moriarty, President and Chief Executive Officer - Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas.
Among Wesolowski’s greatest achievements is the evolution of the mission, vision and values that drive the Methodist Excellence culture, lived by the 10,000 employees who work at the System. The passion and culture across the System led to MHS earning the Texas Award for Performance Excellence in 2014, demonstrating the highest level of quality in the state of Texas. His leadership also guided Methodist to be the first health system in South Texas to earn a site visit by the Malcolm Baldrige Quality Award examiners.
A tireless advocate in the community, Wesolowski has served as a board member for multiple community organizations, including the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, the Texas Hospital Association and BioMed SA. He has also co-chaired the American Cancer Society Cattle Baron’s Gala twice in the history of the Gala. Currently, he is Chairman of the American Cancer Society Board of Directors. Wesolowski’s outstanding servant leadership and community involvement garnered his induction into the Studer Group Fire Starter Hall of Fame in 2011, an appointment as American Hospital Association (AHA) Grassroots Champion for the State of Texas in 2013, and his selection as a Healthcare Hero by the San Antonio Business Journal in 2016.
The Methodist Healthcare Board of Governors will immediately begin the search process for Wesolowski’ s successor. Wesolowski has committed to remain until a new leader is on board and through whatever transition period is desired by the next CEO.
*Formerly called Methodist Hospital South