CLEVELAND -- University Hospitals (UH) has appointed Richard A. Hanson, as President of UH Community Hospitals and Ambulatory Networks. In this newly created executive leadership position, Mr. Hanson will oversee operations at UH’s expansive network of community hospitals and outpatient facilities throughout Northeast Ohio and the further integration of the health system.

Mr. Hanson will join UH on Jan. 15, 2010 from Bon Secours Health System where he was Senior Vice President of Performance Management and CEO of its Hampton Roads Health System.

“Richard brings an outstanding track record of success in leading a large multi-state network of health care facilities,” says Thomas F. Zenty III, Chief Executive Officer, University Hospitals. “His wealth of experience and results-driven leadership will serve to ensure University Hospitals’ commitment to providing our patients seamless access to efficient, high-quality care throughout our entire health system.”

Mr. Hanson will be responsible for overseeing the integrated delivery of health care services at UH’s six community hospitals across Northeast Ohio, its 18 ambulatory centers, UH Home Care Services and UH Extended Care Campus in Chardon. He will also work closely with the leadership of University Hospitals Case Medical Center, UH’s nationally ranked academic medical center, to ensure a cohesive integration of services.

Mr. Hanson joins UH from Bon Secours Health System, with facilities in seven states, where he most recently served as Senior Vice President, Performance Management. Previously, he was CEO for 12 years of the Bon Secours Hampton Roads Health System, where he oversaw the significant expansion and operations improvement in the health system as well as further integrated its health care delivery network.

Additionally, Mr. Hanson served for 16 years at Sentara Healthcare, where he held the position of Vice President, Clinical Services as well as President of Sentara Hampton General Hospital. At the Norfolk, Virginia-based health system, he was responsible for operations of all acute care facilities and engineered a significant financial turnaround for Sentara as well as developed several innovative programs and directed the development of new facilities.

“We are excited to have Richard join our UH family at a time when we are in the process of seeing our Vision 2010 strategic plan come to fruition,” says Achilles A. Demetriou, MD, PhD, Chief Operating Officer, University Hospitals. “He will play a significant role in the operations and continued growth of our new outpatient health centers and our community hospitals throughout the region.”

Mr. Hanson earned a BS in finance from the University of Utah and an MHA from The Ohio State University.