CEO Andrea Price leaving Mercy Health Systems

Andrea Price, Mercy president and CEO, is leaving her position after March 27.

Mercy Health System officials confirmed today that president and CEO Andrea Price is leaving and her job has been eliminated. Her last day as the leader of the health system will be March 27.

“Due to the rapidly changing Toledo-area market, Catholic Health Partners will be implementing a new leadership structure within Mercy. We sincerely thank Andrea for her service. We would like to express our gratitude for the outstanding work she has done for our mission, organization, and our patients,” Mercy officials said in a written statement.

Mercy held a community meeting last month, led by Ms. Price, to announce the hospital system would be implementing several cost-cutting measures this year in the face of declining revenue and lower hospital admission rates.

“The current care model is unsustainable,” said Brian Smith, executive vice president of the northern region of Catholic Health Partners, the parent company of Mercy Health System, during that community event in February.

"I understand the changes and challenges facing the healthcare environment and appreciate the kind words expressed by Catholic Health Partners describing my tenure as president and CEO of Mercy. The company and I have reached a mutually agreeable resolution of my employment and I look forward to new endeavors,"said Ms. Price in a statement released by hospital officials.

Ms. Price joined the health system in 2009 as chief operating officer and was named to the top position of CEO a year later in 2010.

About five months ago, the local not-for-profit health system restructured the top leadership positions again and promoted Dr. Imran Andrabi to chief operating officer to assist Ms. Price.

Mr. Andrabi is responsible for the daily operations of Mercy, including its hospitals and physicians.

Last September, Ms. Price was named by Becker’s Hospital Review as one of their “130 Women Hospital and Health System Leaders to Know.” And in 2008 she was named by Modern Healthcare Magazine as one of the industry’s Top 25 minority executives.

The health system that includes seven hospitals in the Toledo area, including Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center, has more than 7,500 employees, 1,350 medical staff members, and $900 million in net revenues.

Mercy is part of Cincinnati-based Catholic Health Partners.

Contact Marlene Harris-Taylor at: mtaylor@theblade.com or 419-724-6091.