Metro Health — University of Michigan Health has become the region’s first physician-led healthcare system following the selection of Chief Medical Officer Dr. Peter Hahn as its next President and Chief Executive Officer.
Hahn begins in the new role Oct. 1, following a national search for candidates to succeed Michael Faas, who last year announced his plan to retire after 25 years at Metro.
“Dr. Hahn is the ideal selection to carry forward the transformational, visionary leadership of Mike Faas,” said Carlos Sanchez, Co-Chair of the Metro Health Hospital Board. “The unanimous decision by our board members confirms Peter is the right choice at the right time to build on Metro Health’s legacy of patient-focused clinical excellence for West Michigan.”
An accomplished physician leader, Hahn was instrumental in the groundbreaking 2016 affiliation with University of Michigan Health, enabling a strategic expansion of services at Metro Health, as well as new accreditations and recognitions for excellence.
“I am thankful for the hard work by everyone involved in the hiring process,” Hahn said. “As I take on this responsibility, I am fortunate to be surrounded by an unmatched collection of talent and passion for healthcare. Together, we will ensure our culture of community engagement and patient-focused care will continue to define the experience people have at Metro Health — University of Michigan Health.”
Hahn said the board of directors, executive team, physicians and leadership have carefully crafted a strategic plan that will guide Metro Health forward in a fiscally responsible manner to meet the specific needs of the community.
“In a little more than 18 months since our affiliation with the University of Michigan, we have already seen the impact of world-class medical care and how it benefits the patients right here in West Michigan,” Hahn said. “Expect further innovations, improvements and expansions as we execute our comprehensive strategic plan.”
David Spahlinger, MD, President, University of Michigan Health System, said, “As an affiliate and part of our statewide system of care, Metro Health is an outstanding community hospital that is serving as an important resource to its patients with the tertiary outreach programs and new clinical capabilities we have put in place together. We applaud the choice of Dr. Hahn.”
Hahn said he looks forward to building on the work of Faas, who has led Metro Health through an era of unprecedented growth since 1994, when the hospital was situated on Boston Street in Grand Rapids. Faas’ many accomplishments include orchestrating Metro Health’s first in the nation hospital move from a city to a suburban location in 2007 and establishing the innovative Metro Health Village in Wyoming, culminating in the affiliation with University of Michigan Health nine years later.
Metro Health accomplishes another first for West Michigan with the selection of a physician to take on the role of president and CEO. Many of the leading, most progressive healthcare systems in the country, including Michigan Medicine, are led by physician CEOs. The selection of Dr. Hahn supports Metro Health’s progressive legacy.
The national search process conducted by the Metro Health Corporation Board of Directors engaged members of the Hospital and Foundation Boards, physician leadership, staff and the community. Chicago-based national search firm Witt/Kieffer helped produce candidates and guide the review and vetting process.
“Metro Health was started by physicians. Now it will be led by one,” said Steve Van Andel, member of the Metro Health Corporation Board. “The selection of Peter helps solidify Metro Health – University of Michigan Health’s role as a leader in the practice and delivery of medicine in West Michigan. Our dedication to patient-centered care has guided our approach for the past 75 years, and we have ensured it will continue to do so under the physician CEO leadership of Dr. Hahn.”
“The opportunity to lead Metro Health — University of Michigan Health attracted a strong field of candidates from across the country,” said Bill Barkeley, Chair of the Metro Health Corporation Board. “I am grateful to everyone – board members, leadership team, physicians, clinicians, staff, donors and volunteers – involved in the interview process.”
A noted pulmonologist and former Mayo Clinic physician, Hahn served in various healthcare leadership roles in Oregon before coming to Metro Health. He has published extensively, lectured and presented on numerous health care topics and served in national and regional health care leadership roles.
Originally from Okemos, he majored in political science at the University of Michigan, obtained his medical degree at Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine, and earned a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Tennessee Haslam College of Business. He was a Mayo Foundation Scholar and the recipient of the Mayo Brothers Distinguished Fellowship Award.