WIM Fox Valley presents a conversation with local CEO Michael Brown
On Thursday, Nov. 12, Women In Management Fox Valley presents its annual guest day and a conversation with Michael Brown, president and CEO of Presence Health Fox River Valley Region hospitals-Presence Mercy Medical Center in Aurora and Presence St. Joseph Hospital in Elgin.
The luncheon will be held at the Elgin Country Club, 2575 Weld Road, Elgin. Networking begins at 11:30 a.m., with luncheon and program at noon. Meetings adjourn promptly at 1:30 p.m.
Cost for members is $22 or $25 for nonmembers. This month's sponsor is WIM Fox Valley co-founder Pat Szpekowski, president, PmS advertising, inc./PR Strategies & Communications.
"First-time guests interested in finding out more about our dynamic organization are invited to attend this lunch meeting at no cost," said membership chair Cheryl Wendt, who serves as development officer for the Elgin Symphony Orchestra.
Area women business owners, professionals and managers are welcome to attend this month's presentation. Reservations must be made for attendance online at www.wimfoxvalley.org.
Led by moderator and WIM member Nancy Guthrie, president of Business Matters in Elgin, will discuss how he began the journey of his health care career that began as a nurse.
In February 2014, Mike Brown was appointed regional president and CEO of Presence Health Fox River Valley Region hospitals - Presence Mercy Medical Center, Aurora and Presence Saint Joseph Hospital, Elgin.
He brings nearly 30 years of experience in health care leadership, most recently serving as regional president and CEO for Presence Health Central Illinois hospitals which include Presence United Samaritans Medical Center (Danville) and Presence Covenant Medical Center (Urbana).
He joined Presence United Samaritans Medical Center in 2005 as the chief operating officer/chief nurse executive. In 2013, he added the oversight of Iroquois Memorial Hospital to his responsibilities in that region. He began his career as a clinician, trained as a paramedic and a registered nurse, and has held a variety of staff and management positions on both the clinical and operational sides of health care.
His experiences include both domestic and international work having completed an assignment in the Middle East as part of a military medical health care project in Abu Dhabi. Recognized for his span of clinical and operational expertise and collaborative leadership style, he holds a bachelor's degree in nursing and earned his MBA in organizational leadership and management from Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio.
"Health care is undergoing a tremendous amount of change," said Ramona "Monie" Burns, this year's 2015-16 WIM Fox Valley president. "We look forward to hearing how Mike leads these two state of the art hospitals and what influenced him to become a registered nurse in a predominantly female field."
Burns is owner of MoMo's Concierge Services in Elgin, which provides harmony, security and freedom at home and work through a variety of personal and professional services.
This month's WIM Fox Valley sponsor is the organization's co-founder Pat Szpekowski, APR, president of PmS advertising, inc./PR Strategies and Communications in Elgin. The advertising agency/public relations firm specializes in professional writing, media relations, creative graphic design and custom candid event photography. Szpekowski serves as chair of the Presence Saint Joseph Hospital Community Leadership board of directors.
Upcoming speakers include: a discussion of the book, "Essentialism," by Greg McKeown on Dec. 10; Daily Herald reporter Elena Ferrarin on Jan. 14; retired U.S. Army Colonel Jill Morgenthaler on Feb. 11; Britten Follett of Follett Educational Foundation on April 14; and authors Jerry and Phyllis Campagna on May 5.
WIM Fox Valley was founded in 1984 as the Northern Fox Valley Chapter of Women in Management. Members are comprised of business professionals and entrepreneurs in a wide range of categories. Area women are invited to join. For more information visit www.wimfoxvalley.org.