John Cumming, MD, former interim CEO of Minneapolis-based Hennepin Healthcare, will return as CEO effective April 10 as the health system pursues financial stabilization efforts, according to an April 7 statement.
The Hennepin Healthcare board appointed Dr. Cumming CEO on April 7 “to provide stable, day-to-day leadership through the current transition period,” the system said. He will lead the organization until it reaches a level of stabilization that allows the board to initiate a search for a permanent CEO.
Dr. Cumming, a trauma surgeon and physician leader, served as interim CEO of Hennepin Healthcare in 2019 and 2020. He also previously served as vice president of medical affairs and president of the medical staff.
“Dr. Cumming has led this organization before and understands what it takes to deliver exceptional care in a complex safety-net system,” board Chair Jeffrey Lunde said in a statement. “He will maintain the organization’s ongoing focus on excellent and accessible patient care while stabilizing operations.”
Dr. Cumming’s appointment follows the resignation of J. Kevin Croston, MD, former CEO of Robbinsdale, Minn.-based North Memorial Health, as co-administrator of Hennepin Healthcare. Former Hennepin County Administrator David Hough also resigned as co-administrator.
Hennepin Healthcare is pursuing financial stabilization efforts, including plans to cut $200 million in costs by the end of 2026. The system has already taken steps toward its cost-cutting goal, including eliminating 100 inpatient beds in February, bringing capacity to 390.
Hennepin Healthcare and local leaders are also seeking state legislation to repurpose and expand an existing Hennepin County sales tax to create a recurring, stable funding mechanism.
Hennepin Healthcare — Minnesota’s largest safety-net hospital — includes Hennepin County Medical Center and a network of clinics, according to its website.
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