Trinity Health Announces Executive Leadership Appointments

LIVONIA, MICH., December 9, 2019 --- Trinity Health today announced key executive leadership changes to help drive the organization's operations and growth strategies.

"To be the trusted health partner in our communities, we need strategic, transformative leaders at every level," said Mike Slubowski, FACHE, FACMPE, president and chief executive officer, Trinity Health. "These appointments are exciting changes for Trinity Health and the people we serve, and I am thrilled to be working with our executive team and all colleagues to continue moving forward."

As part of the changes, Ben Carter, CPA, FHFMA, executive vice president and chief financial officer, has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective January 1.

As COO, Carter will be responsible for leading all health ministries and other operational areas. Trinity Health regional CEOs will report to him, as well as the executive vice presidents for continuing care and administrative services, Trinity Health's system chief information/innovation officer and the chief experience officer.

Since joining Trinity Health in 2010 as chief financial officer, Carter has held additional operational leadership roles, including accountability for a number of regions operationally and leading merger and acquisition integrations. He was the interim leader of East Group operations in 2016-17, and he has tackled other challenging assignments successfully across the system.

"Ben is a bold and results-driven leader with a long and successful track record with Trinity Health and a background that includes broad experience and leadership in operations at other health systems," said Slubowski. “He is a mission-driven leader, and those who have worked closely with him – health care industry leaders, the financial community and regional boards and leaders — have very high respect for him.”

After starting his career in public accounting at Plante Moran, Carter joined the Oakwood Health Care System in 1988 and progressed through multiple financial, operational and business development roles as Oakwood grew into a multi-hospital regional system. In 2005, he joined the Detroit Medical Center (DMC) as Chief Operating Officer, and he played an instrumental role in DMC’s operational and financial turnaround.

Carter earned his Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Business Administration degrees from the University of Michigan, and he is a Certified Public Accountant. He is a pilot and a sports enthusiast, and he is active in the community, including serving as a board member with Mitch Albom’s SAY Detroit Foundation.

Trinity Health also announced Julie Spencer Washington will become Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, effective January 13.

Most recently, Washington was Chief Marketing Officer for Champion Petfoods, where she drove revenue growth and profitability, expanded global and e-commerce distribution and launched the company’s first and award-winning brand campaigns. Previously, she was the Chief Marketing and Innovation Officer for Jamba Juice and a marketing leader at Procter & Gamble, Luxottica Retail and Nestle Purina.

"Julie is a transformative, growth-oriented and mission-based leader who joins Trinity Health with 30 years of experience and results in strategic marketing, brand building, demand creation and digital communication," said Slubowski. "We look forward to her ideas and expert contributions to our national ministry."

Washington received her Bachelor of Arts degree in chemistry and psychology from Emory University and her Master of Business Administration degree from Washington University. She serves as a board trustee at Union Institute & University and Women Helping Women.

Additionally, Rob Casalou, president and CEO of Trinity Health's Michigan Region, will take on new, broader responsibilities. Starting January 1, his role will include leadership of regional health ministries in Athens and Fort Lauderdale.

"Rob is a courageous and strategic leader who adds value across the board, internally and externally," said Slubowski. “Rob also will join the system Executive Leadership Team as a representative of all regional ministries, helping to ensure we have a ministry perspective in our discussions and decision-making.”

Casalou joined Trinity Health in 2008 as President and CEO of St. Joseph Mercy hospitals and became President and CEO of the St. Joseph Mercy system in 2015. As CEO of the Michigan Region since 2018, he leads a $3.8 billion region that is consistently a top performer.

Casalou received his Bachelor's degree in Economics and Master's degree in Business Administration and Health Care Administration from the University of Michigan. He is an avid bicyclist and is active in the community, including serving as Vice Chair of Make-A-Wish Michigan.

About Trinity Health

Trinity Health is one of the largest multi-institutional Catholic health care delivery systems in the nation, serving diverse communities that include more than 30 million people across 22 states. Trinity Health includes 92 hospitals, as well as 106 continuing care locations that include PACE programs, senior living facilities and home care and hospice services. Its continuing care programs provide nearly 2.5 million visits annually. Based in Livonia, Michigan, and with annual operating revenues of $19.3 billion and assets of $27 billion, the organization returns $1.2 billion to its communities annually in the form of charity care and other community benefit programs. Trinity Health employs 129,000 colleagues, including 7,500 employed physicians and clinicians. For more information, visit www.trinity-health.org. You can also follow us on Facebook or Twitter.