President and CEO of Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital Named

DETROIT - Denise Brooks-Williams has been named as new president and chief executive officer for Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital.

She begins her new position Feb. 4, 2013.

Brooks-Williams was formerly president and chief executive officer of Bronson Battle Creek in Battle Creek since July, 2011. Bronson Battle Creek is a 218-bed hospital known nationally for patient safety offering full service outpatient and inpatient acute care.

Prior to this time, Brooks-Williams was with Trinity Health from 2001 through 2011, where she was president and chief executive officer of Battle Creek Health System from April 2009 to June 2011, and earlier held other leadership positions with Trinity affiliate St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital in Pontiac, including vice president of operations, ambulatory services, strategic business development, and physician network.

Before her employment at Trinity Health, Brooks-Williams also held leadership positions at the Detroit Medical Center and Mercy Hospital in Detroit.

“Denise brings the talent and expertise that will help advance the excellent reputation Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital currently maintains in the Downriver area,” says Bob Riney, president and COO of Henry Ford Health System.

“Denise comes to Henry Ford Health System with more than 20 years of progressive leadership experience in health care including operations, finance, new business development, marketing and program implementation. Her experiences and background at other health care organizations align well with the culture, size and structure of Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital,” adds Riney.

Brooks-Williams graduated from University of Michigan with a master’s of Health Services Administration degree. She is immediate past president and board member for the National Association of Health Services Executives and member of the University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Health Management and Policy board.

She has received numerous honors and awards including the 2010 Top 25 Minority Executives in Healthcare by Modern Healthcare magazine and was named Young Healthcare Executive of the Year by the national Association of Health Care Executives.

Brooks-Williams replaces James Sexton who announced his retirement earlier this year after serving a 10 years as president and CEO of Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital.

About Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital

Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital was established in 1926. This 401-bed acute care hospital serves the Downriver region and surrounding communities of southeast Michigan. It offers a full range of clinical services, including general medicine, surgery, birthing center and 24-hour emergency care. Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital also provides physical medicine, rehab, adult mental health and neurosurgical services. Its Henry Ford Health Center- Brownstown offers medical imaging, ambulatory surgery, 24-hour emergency care, a sleep lab and other services. Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital is a member of the Henry Ford Health System.