Kettering Health named Michael Mewhirter interim chief executive officer (CEO) on Tuesday, November 8. This decision follows the recent announcement of Fred Manchur’s retirement after nearly 12 years as CEO. The transition went into effect November 11.
Michael has served in leadership capacities for Kettering Health for nearly eight years. Most recently, he was Kettering Health’s chief financial officer (CFO) and executive vice president of Finance. Before being named the system’s CFO in April 2020, he served as vice president of Finance for Kettering Health Dayton and Kettering Health Washington Township. Prior to that, he was president of Kettering Health Hamilton.
In his 20 years in healthcare administration, Michael has had financial and presidential responsibilities for all aspects of medical center campuses including fiscal and general operations, patient care operations, post-acute care operations, and other non-clinical areas.
“It is an honor for me to take the interim post and guide us through our next chapter in service to our communities,” said Michael. “I’m particularly excited about leading our passionate employees as they strive to provide high-quality, innovative care delivered with compassion and respect for every patient and family member.”
Alongside our dedicated leaders, Michael will focus on staying true to our mission by ensuring great patient outcomes, efficient operations, strong financial stewardship, and continued progress on planned facility expansions as we advance toward 2023.
“As we look to the new year, we will continue our focus on primary care through expansions and openings at Kettering Health Franklin, Centerville Health Center, and Kettering Health Wilmington,” Michael said. “We’re also looking closely at space in our existing facilities, ensuring we maximize opportunity for local residents to connect with their providers in a convenient way.”
Michael has been empowered by Kettering Health’s board to prepare the system for a successful start to 2023 by initiating any necessary short-term changes, gathering input on potential long-term improvements, and making other preparations to ensure a smooth transition and accelerated integration of our next CEO. Over the next few months, he will also seek to maintain continuity with community members and key stakeholders during this interim period.
“Kettering Health is blessed with an incredible team of physicians, caregivers, and support staff. Because of this, I believe we are extremely well-positioned to continue to deliver on our mission to improve the quality of life of the people in the communities we serve,” shared Dave Weigley, chairman of the board. “In appointing Michael, we believe we have found a dynamic and experienced interim leader to champion our sacred calling.”
The board has formed a search committee to identify highly skilled candidates to serve as our permanent CEO. This process is being led by board member and former Kettering Health president, Roy Chew.
Tim Ko, current chief financial officer and chief operating officer for Kettering Physician Network (soon to be Kettering Health Medical Group), was named interim chief financial officer for Kettering Health on November 18.