St. Mary's hires president from Minnesota

LEWISTON — Almost a year after its last leader announced his intention to leave, St. Mary’s Health System has a new face at the helm.

Covenant Health announced Monday that after a national search, it has appointed Steven C. Jorgensen as president of the health system, which includes St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center.

“I want to build on the strengths of this great organization by continually improving care and the way it is delivered while staying true to our Catholic legacy of providing compassionate care for anyone in need,” Jorgensen said in a prepared release.

Jorgensen, who hails from Minnesota, will also serve as senior vice president of Covenant, a Catholic, regional health care system that counts St. Mary’s among its members.

Jorgensen replaces Chris A. Chekouras, who resigned last August and left the job Oct. 6, after two years as chief executive officer of St. Mary’s Health System. His predecessor, Lee Myles, held the top post from 2006 to 2015.

Peter Holden has been interim president during the search for a successor.

Most recently, Jorgensen has been vice president for business development and chief operating officer for Essentia Health in Minnesota. He has also served “a variety of roles at the world-renowned Mayo Clinic, including as head of human resources, administrator, and chair of clinical operations at the clinic’s Jacksonville location,” according to Covenant.

David Lincoln, Covenant’s president and chief executive officer, said Jorgensen’s 27 years at the Mayo Clinic, along with “his passion for people and commitment to our Catholic mission, will help ensure St. Mary’s continues to be one of the best health care providers in the state and one of the best places to work in Androscoggin County.”

“His goal is to improve the lives of patients, their families, and the dedicated team of employees and physicians at St. Mary’s,” Lincoln said.

Covenant said that to ensure the 130-year-old Lewiston institution “remains strong and growing, Jorgensen will focus on driving the ongoing transition from traditional fee-for-service medicine to value-based care.”

“By identifying at-risk patients earlier and connecting them with St. Mary’s robust network of providers and services, outcomes are improved and patients receive the right care at the right time and at the lowest cost possible,” Covenant said.

It is an approach, the company said, that “better serves people who are trying to stay well as well as those with multiple chronic health conditions that require advanced care and coordination.”

“With his background in human resources, Jorgensen is a fierce advocate for employees, nurses, and physicians, and is committed to ensuring that St. Mary’s is a great place to build a career,” it said.

Jorgensen said he is honored to have the chance to work with a “talented and dedicated team” at St. Mary’s.

Jorgensen earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Minnesota-Duluth and master’s degree in industrial relations from the University of Minnesota.

Jorgensen’s appointment begins immediately.

scollins@sunjournal.com