The appointment completes a 5-month search and selection process conducted by a CEO Selection Committee comprised of SJHS board members and SJRHC governance members. “We had a number of very fine candidates to consider,” said Sister Gretchen Kunz, OSF, President & CEO of the Health System. “I’m very pleased with the selection of Jack Buckley. I believe he is the right person at the right time for St. Joseph Regional and for St. Joseph Health System.”

Buckley has more than 33 years of experience in health care leadership and has worked for a number of Catholic and not-for-profit hospitals and health systems. He has held leadership positions with the Mercy Health System in Ohio; Catholic Healthcare West in Arizona; and St. Anthony’s in Amarillo, Texas. From 1992 to 2001 he served as President/CEO of Southern Illinois Healthcare Enterprises, a multihospital system in southern Illinois. Over the past several years he has served in interim CEO positions at St. Mary’s Hospital of East St. Louis and, most recently, at the St. Joseph Campus of Via Christi Regional Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas.

“Over these past months I have seen that St. Joseph Health System is a tremendous organization that is supported by a great community and a strong medical staff,” said Buckley. “I’m very happy to be here.”

As CEO of St. Joseph Regional Health Center, Buckley will be responsible for day-to-day operations and finances of the health center. As Executive Vice President of St. Joseph Health System, Buckley will work to provide support for system organizations, which include long term care, managed care, rural health facilities, and St. Joseph Foundation.

Buckley said one of his primary goals is to intensify the organizations’ focus on quality. ”We want to be recognized for being a quality-driven organization, with strong clinical performance and service that exceeds the expectations of the patients and families we serve. We have a great team with a strong commitment to our core values,” said Buckley. “We will continue to focus on doing what is right for the patient.”

Buckley received an MBA from George Washington University and has his undergraduate degree from Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio. He is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives and has served in various roles for the Catholic Health Association of the U.S., American Hospital Association, Texas Hospital Association, Illinois Hospital Association and the Catholic Health Association of Texas.

“The experience Jack brings will benefit the entire health system and the community,” said Sister Gretchen. “He is a great leader to move the system forward in the challenging years ahead.”

Buckley and his wife, Sally, have been married for 33 years and will be relocating from Herrin, Illinois. They have three grown children - two daughters and a son - and one granddaughter.

Recommended by the St. Joseph Search & Selection Committee, Buckley’s appointment was approved earlier this week by Franciscan Services Corporation. FSC is the Health and Human Services Ministry of the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio.

St. Joseph Regional Health Center is a 213-bed acute care hospital offering cardiac, cancer, surgical, and women’s services, and includes a freestanding 61-bed inpatient rehabilitation center. SJRHC is a member of St. Joseph Health System of Bryan, which also includes 2 long-term care facilities, 3 critical access hospitals, 8 rural health clinics, a managed care division, St. Joseph Foundation and a property company. St. Joseph Health System serves an extended 7-county area of the Brazos Valley and is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio.