Alexian Brothers names first layperson as CEO

Alexian Brothers Health System’s named a longtime executive as its new CEO as the company prepares to merge with Ascension Health.

Mark Frey, 56, has been with Alexian Brothers for more than 25 years and has held a number of executive positions including president and CEO of Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital, according to a news release.

Frey will become the first layperson appointed as president and CEO in the health system’s history.

Frey, who has been the executive vide president since 2007, succeeds Brother Thomas Keusenkothen.

“As health care consolidation presents new challenges, Mark’s insight and pragmatism played a key role in the Alexian Brothers’ decision to seek a health care partner whose resources could help our own health care and housing ministries continue to serve the communities that depend on them,” said Brother Jim Classon, provincial of the Congregation of Alexian Brothers.

Before moving to Alexian Brothers, Frey was CEO of Linden Oaks Hospital in Naperville.

Alexian Brothers Health System signed an agreement to become part of the St. Louis-based Ascension Health in September and expect to finalize the partnership in the “coming weeks.”

Ascension Health is the largest Catholic health care system in the United States with 66 hospitals in 19 states.