SHSMD Announces Leadership Excellence Awardees

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                 
CONTACT: Diane Weber, dweber@aha.org

Chicago (August 30, 2022) – The Society for Health Care Strategy & Market Development (SHSMD), a professional membership group for health care marketers, communicators, planners and business developers of the American Hospital Association (AHA), has announced that Rose Glenn, chief marketing and communications officer at Michigan Medicine, the health system and medical school of the University of Michigan, and Ruth Portacci, vice president of strategy for Ascension Saint Thomas, in Nashville, TN have been named the recipients of its 2022 Leadership Excellence Award. This Award honors inspiring strategic leaders in health care marketing, communications/PR, planning or business development—individuals who are truly exemplars of the strategy professions and can demonstrate a career of stellar achievement. Each recipient has excelled in the areas of innovation, enhancement of the strategy profession, career achievements and leadership abilities.

In her illustrious career, Rose Glenn has led health care marketing and communications in major health systems including Henry Ford Health and ProMedica Health System. She has made extensive contributions towards the growth and development of other strategy professionals as a volunteer leader, including 8 years of SHSMD advisory board service and her SHSMD board presidency in 2019. In her current role at Michigan Medicine, Rose is responsible for the development and execution of strategic initiatives that further brand equity, engage stakeholders and accelerate growth for the $6 billion health system and medical school.

Marschall S. Runge, MD, PhD, dean of the University of Michigan Medical School, executive vice president for medical affairs, and CEO of Michigan Medicine shared, “Rose Glenn has succeeded so magnificently in our large, complex, academic medical center because of her extraordinary leadership skills and daily demonstration of the values articulated by SHSMD—collaboration, accountability, respect, excellence and innovation. She is the model of calm, strategic thinking and the critical communications channels she developed with her team established Michigan Medicine as a trusted source of information on Covid-19 and vaccines at home and across the globe.”

Ruth Portacci’s career is strongly demonstrative of highly skilled strategic leadership in system strategy, business development, planning and earlier in her career marketing and communications. Ruth has over 30 years of healthcare experience in for-profit, public and nonprofit hospitals leading market share growth, hospital and physician practice acquisitions, physician relations and service line development. In her current role, she is responsible for accelerating Ascension Tennessee’s growth through its asset portfolio, strategic partnerships and growth plans. Ruth has generously volunteered her knowledge and expertise by writing, speaking, leading and mentoring including 9 years of SHSMD advisory board service and her board presidency in 2017.Ruth was also instrumental in leading the groundbreaking SHSMD publication Bridging Worlds: The Future Role of the Healthcare Strategist. Ruth is personally committed to population health, making strides to address food security in the communities she serves.

Tim Adams, president and CEO of Ascension Saint Thomas and ministry market executive for Ascension Tennessee comments, “Ruth has worked with hundreds of corporate and hospital leaders, physicians, board and community members, and her teams of strategists around the country. Her influence and candor were recognized at all levels of the organization. Her expertise helped guide our CEOs in their decision-making and she earned their trust as a valued colleague. She mentored many new strategists, both at the corporate and hospital levels, allowing them to grow into new roles and evolve their careers. In her current role at Ascension Tennessee, the strategy team has accelerated the position of a $2 billion health system in a highly competitive market.”

About the Organization
SHSMD, a professional membership group of the AHA, is the largest and most prominent voice for health care strategists in planning, marketing, public relations, communications and business development. SHSMD is committed to leading, connecting and serving its members to prepare them for the future with greater knowledge and opportunity as their organizations strive to improve the health of their communities. The society provides a broad and constantly updated array of resources, services, experiences and connections. For more information, visit shsmd.org.