Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas (MHM) on Thursday announced the selection of Jaime Wesolowski as its next president and chief executive officer.
Already a familiar face within the organization, Wesolowski currently serves as president and CEO of the Methodist Healthcare System, a network of nine acute care facilities serving Bexar and 26 surrounding counties, co-owned by MHM and HCA Healthcare.
He announced his retirement from the position in January, remaining in the role pending the selection of a successor.
Wesolowski told the Rivard Report he was not thinking about applying for his new position when he announced his retirement from the last, assuming that MHM would have filled the role before he stepped down.
“When they didn’t have it filled, we started talking and I realized that it would be a great continuation of my service,” Wesolowski said.
His familiarity with the healthcare nonprofit coupled with a commitment to serving others persuaded MHM’s board of directors to select Wesolowski from a pool of eight candidates, said George Ricks, board and search committee member.
“Our motto – serving humanity to honor God – he clearly does that. He did that as CEO at the [Methodist Healthcare] System, and he is excited about being able to do the same service for the underserved we serve here at Methodist Healthcare Ministries,” Ricks said.
Wesolowski’s appointment follows a yearlong nationwide search that began when Kevin Moriarty, the healthcare nonprofit’s founding president and CEO, announced his retirement last June after more than two decades in the role.
Moriarty was responsible for setting the overall direction for the organization, executive administration of the primary care medical and dental clinics MHM owns and operates, and providing policy guidance to its board of directors.
Methodist Healthcare System, San Antonio’s second largest private employer with more than 10,000 team members and 2,700 physicians, aims to provide high-quality care to people who are sick, while MHM is more focused on prevention and population health, Wesolowski said.
The organization has provided health care services for the uninsured in 74 counties across South Texas through community partnerships and supportive grants since 1955.
Ricks said while the mechanics of each organization are different, Wesolowski’s firm grip on the organization’s mission will make the transition easier.
“The overall picture of serving others, I think he’s got that down pretty good. How we do it [at MHM] will take some learning,” Ricks said.
Wesolowski will assume his new position once Methodist Healthcare System has secured his replacement, which he said will be “some time fairly soon.”
“It’s just a blessing to be able to work with the great people there and help them improve and serve more people in a more meaningful way,” Wesolowski said.
On Monday, Sept. 24, the Rivard Report, in partnership with MHM, will host a luncheon and panel discussion, “The South Texas Medical Center: A Look Back at the First 50 Years, A Look Ahead to the Next 50 Years,” at the Omni San Antonio Hotel at the Colonnade.
Moderated by Rivard Report Publisher and Editor Robert Rivard, the conversation will focus on the relationship between health and the built environment, and how San Antonio can address population health in the next several decades. Jim Reed, president of the San Antonio Medical Foundation, will serve as keynote speaker.
Panelists include Dr. William Henrich, president of UT Health San Antonio; George B. Hernandez Jr., president and CEO of University Health System; San Antonio Metropolitan Health Director Colleen Bridger; and Jenna Saucedo-Herrera, president and CEO of the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation.
Information about the programming, becoming a sponsor, or purchasing individual tickets or tables is forthcoming.
