Popko Named to New Post with Catholic Health East

NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. – Catholic Health East (CHE), one of the nation’s leading Catholic health care systems, announced the recent appointment of Sr. Kathleen Popko, as CHE’s executive vice president of Strategy and Ministry Development.

In this position, Popko is responsible for pursuing ministry growth and identifying, piloting, and disseminating innovative approaches and strategies across the CHE system. In addition, she will oversee CHE’s Strategy Development, Internal Audit, and Corporate Compliance functions.

Popko’s impressive career in nursing, research, planning, and health care administration spans more than 30 years. She began her career in health care in 1969 as a staff nurse and team leader at Mercy Hospital in Springfield and as assistant administrator for planning at Mercy Hospital from 1975 to 1981.

She also served as vice president of the Sisters of Providence Congregation from 1981 to 1985, during which time she was project director for the creation of the Sisters of Providence Health System (SPHS).

While president of the Sisters of Providence congregation from 1985 to 1993, she also served as chair of the Board of SPHS. Popko served as president and chief executive officer of the Sisters of Providence Health System from 1994 to 1997 and was instrumental in SPHS joining with Eastern Mercy Health System and the Allegany Health System to form Catholic Health East.

She has served as president of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, chairperson of the Board of Consolidated Catholic Health Care and The McAuley Housing Institute, and as member of numerous boards including the Board of the Catholic Health Association.