Georgia Fojtasek (courtesy photo)
Retiring President & CEO Georgia Fojtasek, RN, EdD, was granted the distinction of “President Emeritus” status by resolution of the Henry Ford Allegiance Health Board. The emeritus title is awarded to the few who are worthy of retaining the honorary title due to distinguished service. Fojtasek served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Health System from 1994 to 2019, and previously served as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer from 1989 to 1994.
Henry Ford Allegiance Health Board of Trustees Chair Tim Levy said, “Over her thirty years of unwavering service and community centered leadership, Georgia played a significant role in transitioning a small community hospital into a century-strong, award-winning, high-quality, seven-county regional presence.”
Fojtasek was fully engaged with the Board in spearheading partnership discussions leading to the successful affiliation with Henry Ford Health System, and she brought substantial clinical innovation and advancements during her tenure, including:
- Cancer care. Radiation oncology services were added to the existing medical oncology services.
- Cardiac care. Lifesaving open-heart surgery has been available locally for more than a decade.
- Surgical advancements. Minimally invasive surgeries are performed using robotic surgical systems, navigation platforms and neuromonitoring systems.
- Teaching hospital. The Graduate Medical Education program and the Center for Health Innovation & Education work to advance the skills of medical professionals.
- Private rooms. The new “West Tower” optimizes patient centered care and enhances healing.
- Health Improvement Organization (HIO). The HIO innovatively addresses wellness and prevention through community partnerships and care coordination.
- Trauma verification. Designation as a Level II Trauma Center allows the local provision of comprehensive care for severely injured patients.
- Epic Electronic Medical Record. The new electronic medical record facilitates a coordinated continuity of care and offers enhanced security to protect health information.
- Expanded services. Local access to a broad range of services are now available, including dermatology, plastic surgery, podiatry, urology, bariatrics, neurosurgery and sports medicine, as well as multiple locations for primary care, diagnostics and walk-in services.
Fojtasek’s new title of President Emeritus will take effect on August 1, 2019, immediately following her official retirement date.
“Georgia leaves an enduring legacy of better health and a promising future for our community,” said Henry Ford Allegiance Health Board of Trustees Vice Chair Martha Fuerstenau. “Her new title of President Emeritus is well earned, thanks to her decades of distinguished service.”
Henry Ford Allegiance Health has committed $60,000 to local scholarships as a tribute to retiring President & CEO Georgia Fojtasek’s legacy of supporting education in the Jackson community.
“Education at all levels provides a path to personal prosperity and promotes community stability. Scholarships like these not only create access to education, they can change the trajectory of hundreds of young lives,” said CEO of the Jackson Community Foundation Monica Moser. “We are grateful for the example Georgia continues to set as a generous and consistent supporter of education in our community by committing personal and professional resources to arts education, manufacturing and other trades programs and non-profit organizations.”
In recognition of Fojtasek’s unwavering dedication and generosity over her three decades of leadership, Henry Ford Allegiance Health through the Community Vitality Fund, has awarded $10,000 to each of the following educational scholarships:
- Edward and Nella Fullman Scholarship was established by Georgia and Travis Fojtasek in her parent’s memory to support children with financial need who are living under compelling circumstances and wish to enter the field of nursing.
- Volunteers of Henry Ford Allegiance Health Scholarship awards educational funds to dependents of Henry Ford Allegiance Health staff who wish to pursue a degree in health care.
- Jackson Area Manufacturers Association Kids’ Programs provides scholarships to camps where students learn the principles of math, science, technology, engineering, manufacturing, computer aided design and metal fabrication by designing and completing hands on projects.
- Jackson Commercial Contractors Association Grant Program awards scholarships to Jackson area graduating seniors pursuing post-secondary education and training in commercial construction trades.
- Jackson Symphony Orchestra Community Music School grants need-based music education scholarships to local students.
- Jackson School of the Arts Scholarships makes it possible for Jackson County children to attend art, dance and theater classes, regardless of income limitations.
“My mother and father were both committed to their children’s education despite their very limited resources. Supporting access to educational opportunities for children in our community is a privilege and a way to honor my parent’s legacy,” said Fojtasek.
Dollars are being distributed to each of these recipients in a lump sum of $10,000 each, with the expectation that they will use $1,000 per year over the next ten years to provide scholarships to qualified applicants.