(Georgia Fojtasek, JTV file photo)
Henry Ford Allegiance Health President and CEO Georgia Fojtasek announced today her plans to retire after nearly 30 years of service to the Jackson community. Fojtasek joined the then Foote Health System in 1989, as vice president and chief operating officer. Five years later, she was appointed to her current role as president and CEO.
Under Fojtasek’s quarter century of leadership as president and CEO, Henry Ford Allegiance Health celebrated a number of key milestones. Cardiac surgery was brought to Jackson and cancer care services expanded, making critical tertiary services accessible to patients locally. The health system went on to pioneer new models of improving population health through the formation of Jackson Health Network and the Health Improvement Organization. And in 2016, then Allegiance Health joined Henry Ford Health System, ensuring access to high quality health care would remain in place for the greater Jackson community for decades to come. Since then, Fojtasek and Henry Ford Allegiance Health have opened the Center for Health Innovation & Education, expanded to all private rooms with the opening of a new patient tower, and celebrated 100 years of service to the community.
In a memo to staff today, Fojtasek shared, “Our own national recognition over the years has continued to grow with multiple awards that reflect our continued commitment to excellence and to community health. We are state and national leaders for our innovative model of community health, and the prestigious Foster G. McGaw Prize was an extraordinary recognition of this deeply rooted commitment.”
Fojtasek also shared her view on Henry Ford Allegiance Health’s responsibility to the greater Jackson community and fellow team members. “When I reflect on our successes, the theme running through these years is learning to believe in ourselves, taking pride in our achievements and focusing on those we serve. We have cared for our community, especially the most vulnerable, and we have cared for one another as a team.”
Fojtasek plans to remain fully engaged and continue leading the organization well into 2019, when her successor is selected by the Henry Ford Allegiance Health Board of Trustees, in collaboration with Henry Ford Health System. HFAH Board Chair Tim Levy (Industrial Steel Treating President) will lead the search and confirmed the process for selecting the next president and CEO will begin right away. Levy added, “Georgia would be the first to say that our success is because of the team of people who are part of Henry Ford Allegiance Health. The strength of this team and their commitment to our mission provides the Board of Trustees confidence in our future through this important leadership transition.”
Fojtasek indicated she and her husband Travis will continue to call Jackson home following retirement. In her letter to staff, Fojtasek stated, “Our decision to remain in Jackson was because of the community, the potential of what was then Foote Hospital and especially the people we’ve grown to care about so much. All of you who are now woven into the fabric of our lives made it comfortable to settle here and grow deep roots. We plan to nourish those roots here in Jackson, although in different ways, in the years to come. I will be here, fully engaged and committed as always to our work until my successor is selected and the leadership transition is complete.”
As to the timeline, Levy told HFAH staff, “The responsibility of the Board, in collaboration with Henry Ford Health System, is to conduct the search for, interview and evaluate, and identify a successor President and CEO to recommend to Henry Ford Health System. With Georgia’s announcement today, we will now begin this process. We will send additional updates as key milestones are reached.”
Levy added, “During this search and transition which will be done thoughtfully and thoroughly, taking us toward the middle of next year, Georgia is here and serves as our President and CEO. She will continue giving 110% as she always has to insure the success of HFAH”.