Envision Healthcare, a leading national medical group, announced yesterday the appointment of Henry Howe as Interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective December 1, 2023. Howe steps into this role as current Envision CEO Jim Rechtin transitions out of the organization at the end of November. Envision also announced the appointment of healthcare industry veteran Steve Nelson to the position of Chairman of the Board of Directors. Nelson currently serves as president of ChenMed, a leading primary care provider to seniors.
Envision has reached a pivotal moment in its journey after successfully emerging from bankruptcy with a markedly strengthened balance sheet. Its next chapter will focus on growth while continuing to provide high-quality and cost-effective patient care.
“We thank Jim for his leadership through the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent restructuring. His compassion and commitment to the patients, clinicians and partners Envision serves has been unwavering,” Howe said. “And we welcome Steve, who brings more than 30 years of healthcare experience and deep expertise in building strong organizations by prioritizing the delivery of care and exceptional patient experience.”
“I am honored to lead Envision during this transition,” Howe continued. “Our priority remains ensuring clinicians are empowered in the delivery of care, patients continue receiving high-quality care when they need it most and our hospital partners experience the same level of service they have come to expect. I look forward to the future with confidence and appreciation for the team’s trust and support.”
Howe will work closely with the leadership team and board of directors to continue Envision’s commitment to clinical and operational excellence while Envision’s board of directors selects the next permanent CEO to lead Envision.
“I am confident that Envision will thrive in the capable hands of Henry and our strong clinician and executive leaders,” Nelson said. “Henry brings a proven track record of leadership in healthcare and financial management, and he understands the essential role Envision clinicians play in the functioning of the U.S. healthcare system. With a deep commitment to the organization’s mission and values, he is poised to lead Envision through this next phase, ensuring clinicians are supported and patients continue to have access to the crucial care our teams provide.”
Howe most recently served as Envision’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) beginning in March 2021, leading the organization’s finance, accounting, treasury, tax, procurement, risk and insurance, corporate development, lender relations and internal audit functions and driving its strategic initiatives. He previously served as Interim CFO beginning in December 2020 after joining Envision as Executive Vice President of Enterprise Strategy in April 2020. Howe has held various leadership positions and led strategic initiatives with Bridgewater Associates, including serving as the Head of Planning. Prior to joining Bridgewater, Howe spent six years at Bain & Company, and before that, he started his career at Bank One. He holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management with distinction and a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics with honors from Georgetown University.
In his role as president, Nelson leads the day-to-day management and operations of the ChenMed family of brands. He is responsible for business operations, performance reliability, growth, transformation efforts and scalability of ChenMed’s high-quality care. Nelson most recently served as the CEO of JenCare within the ChenMed family of companies and before that as Co-Chairman and CEO of Duly Health and Care, one of the largest multispecialty independent provider groups in the U.S. Prior to Duly, Nelson spent 15 years at UnitedHealth, serving in leadership positions in both the Commercial and Government businesses. He also served as the CEO of UnitedHealthcare. Nelson holds a master’s degree in business administration and health services administration from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Portland State University.
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