Retiring President & CEO Honored with President Emeritus Title

Jackson, Michigan - Retiring President & CEO Georgia Fojtasek, RN, EdD, was granted the distinction of “President Emeritus” status by resolution of the Henry Ford Allegiance Health Board. The emeritus title is awarded to the few who are worthy of retaining the honorary title due to distinguished service. Fojtasek served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Health System from 1994 to 2019, and previously served as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer from 1989 to 1994.

Henry Ford Allegiance Health Board of Trustees Chair Tim Levy said, “Over her thirty years of unwavering service and community centered leadership, Georgia played a significant role in transitioning a small community hospital into a century-strong, award-winning, high-quality, seven-county regional presence.”

Fojtasek was fully engaged with the Board in spearheading partnership discussions leading to the successful affiliation with Henry Ford Health System, and she brought substantial clinical innovation and advancements during her tenure, including:

• Cancer care. Radiation oncology services were added to the existing medical oncology services.
• Cardiac care. Lifesaving open-heart surgery has been available locally for more than a decade.
• Surgical advancements. Minimally invasive surgeries are performed using robotic surgical systems, navigation platforms and neuromonitoring systems.
• Teaching hospital. The Graduate Medical Education program and the Center for Health Innovation & Education work to advance the skills of medical professionals.
• Private rooms. The new “West Tower” optimizes patient centered care and enhances healing.
• Health Improvement Organization (HIO). The HIO innovatively addresses wellness and prevention through community partnerships and care coordination.
• Trauma verification. Designation as a Level II Trauma Center allows the local provision of comprehensive care for severely injured patients.
• Epic Electronic Medical Record. The new electronic medical record facilitates a coordinated continuity of care and offers enhanced security to protect health information.
• Expanded services. Local access to a broad range of services are now available, including dermatology, plastic surgery, podiatry, urology, bariatrics, neurosurgery and sports medicine, as well as multiple locations for primary care, diagnostics and walk-in services.

Fojtasek’s new title of President Emeritus will take effect on August 1, 2019, immediately following her official retirement date.

“Georgia leaves an enduring legacy of better health and a promising future for our community,” said Henry Ford Allegiance Health Board of Trustees Vice Chair Martha Fuerstenau. “Her new title of President Emeritus is well earned, thanks to her decades of distinguished service.”

About Henry Ford Allegiance Health

Henry Ford Allegiance Health (HFAH) is a 475-bed health system in Jackson, Michigan. HFAH complements traditional acute care services with primary and community-based to support patients across the health continuum at every stage of life. With its Level II Trauma Center, Henry Ford Allegiance Health provides comprehensive care for severely injured patients. As a teaching hospital, Henry Ford Allegiance Health continually looks to the future with its Center for Health Innovation & Education and Graduate Medical Education program. Through its Health Improvement Organization (HIO), HFAH is also a national leader in forming community partnerships that innovatively address wellness and prevention needs across the region.

About Henry Ford Health System

Henry Ford Health System (Henry Ford Health) is a six-hospital system headquartered in Detroit, Michigan. Henry Ford Health is one of the nation’s leading comprehensive, integrated health systems, recognized for clinical excellence and innovation. It provides health insurance and health care delivery, including acute, specialty, primary and preventive care services backed by excellence in research and education. Henry Ford Health is a 2011 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award recipient.