Northwestern Health Sciences University announces new president

May 10, 2013 — Northwestern Health Sciences University recently announced the appointment of Jeff A. Nelson as president and chief executive officer. He is the university’s sixth president since its founding in 1941.

Nelson has 30 years of experience leading complex organizations including health systems, health plans, and technology companies. He holds a master’s degree in hospital administration from the University of Iowa, and an accounting degree from the University of Minnesota Duluth. Nationally regarded for expertise in accelerating improvements in leadership teams and executing strategic plans, Nelson is a frequent speaker on healthcare and change management. He also is certified as a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt.

“I am excited and honored to have been selected to lead this impressive university,” said Nelson. “I look forward to helping Northwestern grow beyond expectations, and to provide our students, patients, alumni and staff with world class experiences.”

Most recently, Nelson was CEO at Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center on the U.S. Virgin Island of St. Croix. Prior to that he was a partner with Tatum LCC, leading the firm’s national practice on healthcare transformations. While working at Tatum, Nelson was CEO at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center, during which time the hospital earned a top 10 ranking nationwide for patient care quality in stroke care, general surgery, and obstetrics. He was also CEO for Empire Health Services in Washington, and from 2001 to 2004 he was executive director for the hospital-payer contracting unit of HealthEast Care System.

This announcement is the culmination of an extensive search conducted by an independent executive search firm working with a board-appointed search committee representing all major university stakeholder groups.

Source: Northwestern Health Sciences University, nwhealth.com