The former chief operating officer at the now-closed McLaren St. Luke’s Hospital is joining Mercy Health as president of Mercy Health-Perrysburg Hospital starting June 19, officials announced Thursday.
Alison Avendt will succeed Andrea Gwyn, who is currently serving in a dual role as president of both Mercy Health-St. Anne Hospital and Mercy Health-Perrysburg Hospital, Mercy Health said.
Ms. Gwyn will focus on St. Anne Hospital as president moving forward.
“Under Andrea’s leadership and guidance, Mercy Health-Perrysburg Hospital has experienced record growth and has become a premier health care facility in the Toledo area, featuring the first catheterization lab in Wood County,” Mercy Health–Toledo president Bob Baxter said in a statement.
“The hospital is well-positioned for continued growth, and we welcome Alison’s strategic knowledge and experience, which will be an asset to our patients and the community," Mr. Baxter also said. "Together, we look forward to future service enhancement at Perrysburg Hospital under her leadership.”
Ms. Avendt, who had joined McLaren St. Luke’s in 2020, has an extensive career in health care that spans more than 30 years. She began her health care career at ProMedica as a licensed occupational therapist who was board certified in pediatric therapy. She moved into administration in 1996 and held a variety of leadership roles, including eight years as vice president of operations at ProMedica Toledo Hospital and what is now known as ProMedica Russell J. Ebeid Children’s Hospital.
In 2018, Ms. Avendt transitioned to a senior operations advisor for HKS Inc., in Northville, Mich., where she provided strategic and master planning consulting services to health care clients around the country.
St. Luke’s closed Monday due to financial difficulties.
Mercy Health has hired more than 400 of St. Luke’s staff since mid-March, with some going to Mercy Health-Perrysburg Hospital. Mercy purchased the St. Luke's facilities, but no plans are in place for use of the St. Luke’s Hospital building.
Mercy Health-St. Anne Hospital and Mercy Health-Perrysburg Hospital are remote locations of Mercy Health-St. Vincent Medical Center, LLC.
First Published May 11, 2023, 5:50 p.m.
