SPHS Announces Departure of President, CEO McCorkle SPHS Announces Departure of President, CEO McCorkle

SPRINGFIELD — The Sisters of Providence Health System (SPHS) announced recently that Vincent McCorkle, president and CEO, will be leaving the organization to become president and CEO of Akron General Health System in Akron, Ohio and will begin his new position on July 1, 2010.

McCorkle has served as president and CEO for SPHS since October 1997. Prior to being named to those positions, he served from 1996 to 1997 as executive vice resident of SPHS. He joined the system in September 1993 as president and CEO of the Acute and Ambulatory Care Network, the position he held until 1996.

McCorkle has been an active community leader since moving to Springfield in 1993.

For instance, he served on the boards of numerous community agencies, such as the Economic Development Council, Business Friends of the Arts, Springfield YMCA, United Way of the Pioneer Valley, Springfield Urban League, and many others. In 2006, he was recognized with the Pynchon Award, the region’s most distinguished service award.

“The decision to leave the Sisters of Providence Health System was incredibly difficult,” said McCorkle in a prepared statement.

“It has been a privilege and an honor to have served the community through the healing ministry of the Sisters of Providence Health System. It has also been my privilege to serve with a team of the most talented and dedicated physicians, nurses, other professionals, and support staff that you will find anywhere in health care.

“Although my professional journey leads me to new challenges at Akron General,” he continued. “I am grateful for the time with SPHS and the Greater Springfield community. I will truly miss my SPHS colleagues and the many Western Mass. community and business leaders I have had the pleasure of working with.”

Dr. David Chadbourne, chairman of the SPHS board of trustees, praised McCorkle for his work with the system and in the community.

“Vince has provided the Sisters of Providence Health System with 17 years of dedicated and committed service and visionary leadership,” he said. “He guided SPHS through some challenging financial times and led several innovative initiatives that have resulted in the expansion of SPHS’s programs and services. He has left an indelible mark on an organization that, thanks in large part to his hard work, is well-poised to continue the healing legacy of the Sisters of Providence well into the future.”

The Board of Trustees has named Dr. William Bithoney, chief medical officer of SPHS and chief operating officer of Mercy Medical Center as the interim CEO. Bithoney will serve in this role until the conclusion of a national search for McCorkle’s permanent replacement.