Scottsdale Institute

Founder and Chairman Emeritus* of the Scottsdale Institute, 1926-2012

When Stan Nelson passed away, Scottsdale Institute lost its founder, but the healthcare industry lost a visionary thinker, innovative systems architect and good friend. Stanley Roe Nelson, a hospital executive who pioneered many of the organizational strategies that have become accepted practice for today’s health systems, died on Friday, August 3, 2012 in Minneapolis after a brief illness. Mr. Nelson, who resided in both Minneapolis and Scottsdale, Ariz., was 85. In a career that spanned six decades, Mr. Nelson demonstrated a unique ability to see hospitals on a larger playing field even at a time when most of them operated as isolated facilities run by local charities or religious denominations. He anticipated and ushered in the development of hospitals into integrated health systems and strategic collaborators in the community, especially with physicians. “He had a great vision for what changes needed to be made,” said Don Wegmiller, a friend and colleague for more than 50 years who served as chief executive at Minneapolis-based Allina Health, which today owns Abbott Northwestern. As a young, thirty-something CEO in the early 1960s, Mr. Nelson oversaw the merger of Northwestern Hospital with rival Abbott Hospital to form Abbott Northwestern, a bold move that presaged a wave of mergers and acquisitions among hospitals that has accelerated today under Healthcare Reform. He was only in his late twenties when he assumed his first job as chief executive of Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne, Ind. Mr. Nelson’s most noteworthy and far-reaching accomplishment occurred in the years 1971 through 1988, when as CEO of Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, he conceived and developed the Henry Ford Health System into one of the country’s first vertically integrated health systems, an industry model that predominates today. When he arrived at Ford the hospital was in financial straits and dependent on the philanthropy of the Ford family and Ford Foundation. Mr. Nelson personally lobbied Henry Ford to donate 0 million to expand the ailing Henry Ford Hospital in downtown Detroit by building satellite outpatient clinics to serve the burgeoning suburban population. “That was unheard of,” said Mr. Wegmiller. “People said academic medical centers are supposed to be downtown. They run a hospital and that’s it. Stanley had the vision to say, ‘No, that must change,’ and he did it.” Mr. Nelson left Henry Ford Health System as a financially self-sustaining health system that continues to thrive under enlightened leadership, including being awarded the coveted Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in 2012. Mr. Nelson also served as Chairman of the American Hospital Association in 1982. He was instrumental in the founding of group purchasing organization Voluntary Hospitals of America-today the Irving, Texas-based VHA-serving as its founding president from 1977 to 1981 managing VHA under the umbrella of Henry Ford Hospital. Mr. Nelson was not one to rest on his laurels. After retiring from Henry Ford, he founded the not-for-profit Scottsdale Institute, an executive organization of leading health systems that share best practices in information technology. Once again his vision set him apart, enabling him to see the need for senior healthcare executives to embrace IT years before its time. Not technically savvy himself, his advice was simple: “Find the right people and it will all work out.” It has. Scottsdale Institute continues to reflect his collegial nature and innovative thinking in its mission to gather together top executives for collaboration, education and networking. During his long career he mentored a generation of healthcare executives, many of whom went on to become leaders in the field. Mr. Nelson is remembered as much for his personal charm, wit and good humor as his professional accomplishments. “He had a way of communicating, a finesse about him,” recalls Charles Frankhauser, MD, a retired pathologist who worked with Mr. Nelson when he was an executive in Fort Wayne , Ind., and remained a life-long friend. “No matter what the situation he always had the proper phrase.” William Wildern, who became vice president for development for Henry Ford Health System under Mr. Nelson, said, “What a wonderful human being. He wanted the truth and the good to win. I never saw him ruffled. He was a terrific CEO.” His vision of strategic collaboration in healthcare emanated from his personal relationships. “He had an idea a minute, was very creative. He always wanted to hear your viewpoint. ‘What do you think,’ he’d say.” “Stan,” as friends and colleagues knew him, was born on August 12, 1926 in Stanley, Wis. to Newell and Signe Nelson. His son Mark said his father always felt fortunate that he was not born in Oshkosh and given that city’s name. Mr. Nelson received his Bachelor of Science degree in economics and a Master of Hospital Administration degree from the University of Minnesota. He received the Gold Medal Award for excellence in healthcare administration from the American College of Healthcare Executives in 1982, and was inducted into the Health Care Hall of Fame in 1999. Mr. Nelson was preceded in death by his parents and his daughter Barbara. He is survived by his wife of 63 years Virginia (Rif), daughter Janet Rice (Jim) and son Mark, grandchildren Lindsey Nelson Donnelly (Scott), Scott Nelson and CloAnne Nelson, Anna and Peter Rice, step-grandson Jason Rice (Tamar), step-granddaughter Mia Wakefield (JC), and great-granddaughter Marin Yulieth Donnelly. Several hundred people gathered to warmly memorialize Stan at a Celebration of Life Service Sunday, August 12, Mr. Nelson’s birthday, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. Besides his successful career, he was remembered as a loving family man, great friend and avid golfer who once had a handicap of 1. Friends and family are welcome to post tributes online. { Scroll down for tributes and video. }

Stanley R. Nelson Scholarship c/o University of Minnesota Medical Foundation ATTN: Adam Buhr Director of Development School of Public Health 4200 Delaware Street SE Mayo Mall Code 197 Minneapolis, MN 55455

Bridge Builders Bethlehem Lutheran Church Foundation 4100 Lyndale Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55409

Stanley R. and Virginia L. Rifenbary Nelson Endowed Scholarship ATTN: Connie Albers Director of Stewardship St. Olaf College 1520 St. Olaf Ave. Northfield, MN 55057

  TRIBUTES: Modern Healthcare and Minneapolis Star Tribune

*deceased

Joseph R. Swedish is the former chairman, president and chief executive officer of Anthem, Inc., a Fortune 40 company with more than billion in revenue and the nation’s leading health benefits provider serving more than 38.7 million – or one in nine Americans – through its affiliated health plans and over 72 million individuals through its subsidiaries.

Anthony R. Tersigni, EdD, FACHE, is former President and Chief Executive Officer of Ascension, a faith-based healthcare organization dedicated to transformation through innovation across the continuum of care. As the largest non-profit health system in the U.S. and the world’s largest Catholic health system, Ascension is committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all with special attention to persons in poverty and those most vulnerable. Approximately 156,000 associates and 34,000 aligned providers serve in more than 2,600 sites of care – including 151 hospitals and more than 50 senior living facilities – in 21 states and the District of Columbia. In addition to healthcare delivery, Ascension subsidiaries provide a variety of solutions including physician practice management, venture capital investing, investment management, facilities management, biomedical engineering, clinical care management, information services, risk management, and contracting through Ascension’s own group purchasing organization. Throughout his more than 40 years of experience, Tony has garnered the ability to recognize, then capitalize, on growth opportunities to maximize success. His education and skill set provide Dr. Tersigni a unique understanding of the efforts needed to lead an organization, especially during difficult and changing times. He is passionate about the formation of leaders in the Catholic healthcare ministry, championing the development of programs and efforts geared toward preparing current and future leaders for all levels of sponsorship, governance and leadership. Dr. Tersigni has shared his expertise with more than 20 professional organizations, serving as a board member and often as board chair. Current Board Memberships:

• National Council Society of St. Vincent de Paul Foundation – Board Member
• National Catholic Bioethics Center – Board Member
• St. Louis Regional Business Council – Board Member and Past Board Chair
• Healthcare Leadership Council – Member and Past Board Chair (currently Co-chairing Care Management Workgroup related to Opioid Epidemic)
• St. Louis Regional Chamber– Board Member/Executive Committee Member
• Economic Club of Detroit – Board Member

Past Board Memberships:

• President, International Confederation of Catholic Health Care Institutions (a Committee of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development)
• Catholic University of America – Board Member and Member of the Finance Committee
• American College of Medical Quality – Member
• Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce – Board Member
• Detroit Symphony Orchestra – Board Member
• Detroit Opera House – Trustee
• Davenport University – Member, Board of Governors
• American Hospital Association – Member, Health Care Systems Governing Council
• Michigan Virtual University – Board Member
• ProAssurance – Board Member and Member of the Audit Committee
• American Osteopathic Association – Advisory Committee Member
• United Way of Greater St. Louis, Inc. – Board Member
• Catholic Health Association of the United States – Board Chair; 2010
• University of Detroit Mercy – Board Member
• Community Central Bank Holding Corporation – Board Member, Member of Loan Committee, Member of Compensation Committee
• Society of St. Vincent DePaul – Committee Member

Career History Before becoming the first President and CEO of Ascension in 2012, Dr. Tersigni had served as President and CEO of Ascension Health since 2004. Previously he served as Ascension Health’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer from 2001 through 2003. From 1995 to 2000, Dr. Tersigni was President and Chief Executive Officer at St. John Health, Detroit (now part of Ascension Michigan), which at that time was Ascension Health’s largest integrated health system. He also served the St. John system as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer from 1994 to 1995.   Updated January 2019

Dr. Wolter was the CEO of a fully integrated health system in south central Montana. Billings Clinic includes a 240 physician multi-specialty group practice, a 285 bed acute care hospital, multiple regional clinics, and a long-term care facility. Billings Clinic also manages ten critical access hospitals. Billings Clinic has focused its core strategy on improvements and outstanding performance in the areas of patient safety, quality, service, and value to patients and their families. Dr. Wolter was a former member of the Board of Directors of the American Hospital Association (AHA) and the American Medical Group Association (AMGA). He also served two terms as a Commissioner on the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC). He is a frequent speaker on health care delivery and payment reform. Dr. Wolter was recognized by MGMA in 2004 as Physician Executive of the Year. He was named by Modern Healthcare as one of the 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare in 2010 and 2011, and by Modern Physicians as one of the 50 Most Influential Physicians in Healthcare in 2011 and 2012. Dr. Wolter received his BA in English at Carleton College, his MA in American Culture at the University of Michigan, and his M.D. at the University of Michigan Medical Center. He completed his internship and residency in Internal Medicine at Bassett Healthcare in Cooperstown, New York, and returned to the University of Michigan for a fellowship in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine. He joined Billings Clinic in 1982 to practice Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and was appointed Chief Executive Officer in 1997.