CLEVELAND, Dec. 20, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Center for Health Affairs and its business affiliate CHAMPS Healthcare announced today that the executive search committee of its board of trustees has selected Tim Jarm as the organization's new president and CEO, effective Jan. 30, 2017. Jarm, who brings over 30 years of healthcare experience to this role, will succeed Bill Ryan who announced his plans to retire in April.

"When the executive search committee first met to begin our search for a new president and CEO, what stood out to us was the tremendous opportunity this was to find the right new leader given the major economic impact the healthcare industry has on Northeast Ohio and given the rapid pace of change the healthcare industry is going through nationally," said Patti DePompei, president of University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital and MacDonald Women's Hospital and chair of the executive search committee. "We knew it was essential to find someone who had extensive depth of knowledge and experience in healthcare leadership; someone who could work with Northeast Ohio business, civic and healthcare leaders as well as local, state and federal elected officials; and someone who could be a clear voice and advocate for the Northeast Ohio hospital and healthcare industry. We also wanted to find someone who could bring the hospitals and health systems together to collaborate on addressing community health issues and someone who could lead The Center's business lines. Tim demonstrated those skills throughout his interviews and we felt confident he was the right person to shape the future of The Center for Health Affairs and CHAMPS."

The selection of Jarm concludes a search conducted by the executive search committee of the organization's board and facilitated by Waverly Partners, LLC, a nationwide executive search firm serving a variety of clients including Fortune 500 manufacturing and service corporations as well as nonprofits. More than a dozen potential candidates were initially considered as part of a process that included telephone interviews with the search firm. A smaller group of final candidates participated in in-person interviews with the executive search committee and the final two candidates were also interviewed by the senior leadership of the organization before the new president and CEO was selected.

"Tim started his career in Cleveland and advanced very quickly into leadership positions that took him outside the state," said Phil Mazanec, chief operating officer of The Center for Health Affairs and CHAMPS Healthcare. "He has held a number of high-level leadership positions in complex, multi-state healthcare organizations throughout his career and I'm confident this experience will allow him to lead us not only in continuing to provide high-value services to our member hospitals but also in growing our business interests. We're glad he wants to return to Cleveland."

Jarm, a certified healthcare executive, holds a bachelor's in radiation medicine/physics from Wittenberg University, a Masters of Hospital Health Administration from Xavier University and a law degree from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. He is currently the president of Alliant Management Services, the largest hospital management company in the U.S., located in Louisville, Ky. Throughout his career he has held leadership positions in hospitals, health systems, state-wide physician practices and a large medical and surgical equipment supplier.

"I'm honored and humbled to have been selected to become the next CEO of The Center for Health Affairs," said Jarm. "Throughout The Center's 100-year history, it has played an important role in the development of the healthcare delivery system in Northeast Ohio, so much so that the region is recognized both nationally and internationally as a leader in healthcare. An important part of that legacy has been its focus on innovation. From its founding as the first regional association in the country to the creation of CHAMPS Healthcare, The Center has demonstrated an entrepreneurial spirit – one that we will continue to pursue in the years ahead. I have been fortunate in my career to see the power and influence a team can have when they share a sense of purpose and feel that they are truly making a difference. The staff at The Center and CHAMPS clearly have that sense and I look forward to working with them to help transform the healthcare delivery system."

For additional information the selection process used to identify The Center's new president and CEO, please contact Deanna Moore, vice president, corporate communications at 216.255.3614 or via email.

CONTACT: Deanna Moore
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