DULUTH, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Benedictine Health System Board of Directors has named Rocklon B. “Rocky” Chapin, FACHE, as president/CEO of Benedictine Health System effective Jan. 1, 2014. Chapin replaces Dale M. Thompson who announced his retirement in March 2013.
Chapin joined the Benedictine Health System in January 2013 and currently serves as senior vice president, business development and strategic planning. He has been a leader in the management and health care industry for more than 35 years with experience in operations improvement, board and physician relations, managed care negotiations, strategic planning and business development. During his time at BHS, he has led System growth and partnership efforts with a specific emphasis on post-acute care initiatives and relationships with major hospitals and health systems.
“Rocky brings a balance of skills and experiences that will move BHS forward,” said Brian Lassiter, chair, BHS Board of Directors. “His deep knowledge of acute care is valuable to BHS’ strategy of providing post-acute care with our hospital partners, and his vision for new care models will be helpful in shaping the future for BHS. He is the right leader at the right time for our System, building on our strengths, history, and culture but bringing fresh ideas and energy from outside long-term care. The BHS Board is thrilled that he has agreed to lead BHS.”
“I am honored and humbled by the trust placed in me by the BHS Board and our sponsors, the Benedictine Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery,” said Chapin. “The Benedictine Health System is poised to lead the transformation of senior care to the creation of communities in which health, independence and choice come to life. This vision for the future is shared by the 6,000 employees who work with our residents, patients and guests every day, and it is their commitment to those we serve that gives me confidence we will, indeed, make a difference in their lives.”
"We have every confidence that Rocky will carry forward and grow the precious legacy of leadership being left by Dale Thompson,” said Sister Lois Eckes, OSB, prioress, Benedictine Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery. “Rocky Chapin is a man of incredible integrity, goodness, and compassion, fully committed to the Catholic health care ministry of the Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery and the mission and core values of the Benedictine Health System. It is with deep gratitude and joy that we welcome Rocky as the new CEO of BHS.”
Prior to his appointment at BHS, Chapin was the executive vice president and senior officer of Essentia Health’s (Duluth, Minn.) hospital division where he was instrumental in setting overall strategy for their system. His past positions include national director, health care services with Ryan Companies, Inc., Minneapolis, Minn.; executive vice president and chief operating officer, St. Luke’s Methodist Hospital, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; president and CEO, VHA Iowa/Health Enterprises of Iowa, Cedar Rapids; and senior administrator, Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis.
Chapin has extensive governance experience having served on many health care and not-for-profit organization boards and is active in the American College of Healthcare Executives both nationally and in Minnesota. He holds a master’s degree in health care administration from the University of Minnesota and a bachelor’s degree from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.
The Benedictine Health System is a Catholic, non-profit long-term care health system based in Duluth, Minn., sponsored by the Benedictine Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery, Duluth. BHS has served the health care needs of aging adults through the services of its short-term care and rehabilitation centers, long-term care centers and assisted and independent housing in Minnesota, Illinois, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin since 1985. Additional information may be found at www.bhshealth.org.
