Sr. Mary Haddad named CEO of Catholic Health Association

Mercy Sr. Mary Haddad, vice president of sponsorship and mission services for the Catholic Health Association of the United States, will take over as president and CEO of the organization July 1.

Haddad, of the Sisters of Mercy of the South Central Community, will be the 10th CEO of the organization, which represents the largest nonprofit health care provider in the nation. Nearly one in every six patients in the United States is cared for in a Catholic hospital.

Catholic Health Association has been part of one of the biggest debates in recent decades: how to provide and pay for health care in the United States and how to balance societal demands with Catholic teaching.

“CHA has a long, rich history of advocating for high quality, affordable and accessible care for all,” Haddad said in a statement with the announcement. “As we look to the challenges ahead, we must be bold and not afraid to look at things anew, with a fresh and clear vision for how best to serve our patients and the communities that have counted on Catholic health care for more than 150 years.”

Haddad succeeds Daughter of Charity Sr. Carol Keehan, who announced in the fall that she will retire in June after 14 years in the position.

Haddad joined the organization in 2009 and oversees sponsorship, mission, ethics, leadership formation and learning integration. She consults with Catholic health ministry sponsors, CEOs, board members and church officials to advance the mission of Catholic health care and collaborates on strategic planning and advocacy for the association.

“I’m honored that the CHA board has entrusted me with this important leadership position,” Haddad said in the statement. “I’m eager to get started on this important work and blessed to be surrounded by a talented and dedicated staff at CHA and a membership deeply committed to our shared mission and vision.”