Experienced Healthcare Administrator Most Recently Served as Secretary of Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services
Steward Health Care System (Steward) announced the appointment of John W. Polanowicz as the Executive Vice President of Network, Insurance and Physician Operations. He will report directly to Ralph de la Torre, MD, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Steward. Most recently, Polanowicz served as the Secretary of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services from 2013 – 2015. He had previously been the President of Steward St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center.
“We are delighted to have John in this leadership role at Steward,” said Ralph de la Torre, MD, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Steward. “John’s perspective on the changing healthcare marketplace will be invaluable as Steward continues to grow.”
In his new role at Steward, Polanowicz is responsible for the 700 physician Steward Medical Group and 2,500 provider Steward Health Care Network (SHCN). He is also responsible for Steward’s Pioneer ACO and accountable care operations and contracting for services to support the integrated delivery system and care provided by Steward’s growing network.
“After two years of public service, I am looking forward to rejoining the Steward system. Steward is leading the way in changing how health care is delivered in the community,” explained Polanowicz, “I am excited to be a part of Steward’s continued expansion.”
As Secretary of Health and Human Services, Polanowicz reported directly to Governor Patrick and managed the Commonwealth’s largest secretariat. At the helm, Polanowicz was responsible for a $19 billion budget, 15 state agencies and 22,000 employees. Within the first year in this role, Polanowicz completed a secretariat wide review of the department and implemented multiple changes that significantly improved service delivery and operations. Polanowicz also secured the Commonwealth’s first five-year 1115 Waiver, valued at $41 billion, which ensured support and funding for the state’s continued leadership in healthcare reform.
Prior to being recruited by Governor Patrick to join his executive leadership team, Polanowicz was the President of St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, a 252-bed tertiary care teaching hospital in the Steward system. After assuming the role while the hospital incurred significant financial losses, Polanowicz recruited a new senior leadership team, recruited new physicians for important leadership roles, implemented several growth initiatives, and effectively managed expenses. As a result of this leadership, St. Elizabeth’s experienced a remarkable financial turnaround and the medical center was profitable by 2013.
Polanowicz attended the United State Military Academy at West Point and served in the United States Army. As a Captain in the Aviation Branch of the Army, he led combat assaults during Operation “Just Cause” in the Republic of Panama. After his military service, he earned a M.B.A. from Stanford. He currently resides in Northborough, MA, with his wife Kathleen.
About Steward Health Care
Steward Health Care is the largest fully integrated community care organization and community hospital network in New England. Headquartered in Boston, Steward is the third largest employer in MA with more than 17,000 employees in more than 150 communities. Steward is comprised of Steward Medical Group, Steward Health Care Network, and Steward Hospital Group. Steward Medical Group provides approximately 1 million patient encounters per year in 152 sites and manages homecare and hospice with 300,000 and 35,000 encounters respectively. Steward Health Care Network, a fully integrated care management company, has 2,800 physicians, with approximately 4 million patient encounters per year and affiliates or joint ventures with 22 urgent care centers. Steward’s Hospital Group includes Saint Anne’s Hospital in Fall River, Holy Family Hospital in Methuen, St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Brighton, Norwood Hospital, Carney Hospital in Dorchester, Good Samaritan Medical Center in Brockton, Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer, Holy Family Hospital in Haverhill and Methuen, Morton Hospital in Taunton, and New England Sinai Hospital in Stoughton. Additional information is available at www.steward.org.