Allina Hospitals & Clinics Names Kenneth Paulus as Chief Operating Officer.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Allina Hospitals & Clinics has named Kenneth Paulus chief operating officer, a new position within the organization.

Dick Pettingill, Allina Hospitals & Clinics president and CEO, said the position will support Allina's strategic direction. "Our board has a clear vision that Allina will not simply deliver on our mission, but will be a national model," he explained. "That means we need quality and service incentives aligned with our physicians and we need our operations to be second to none."

Specifically, Pettingill said that Paulus will develop and implement Allina's system-wide operations strategy to achieve optimal access, high reliability and healing interactions for all patients. To that end, the COO will have responsibility for hospitals, the Allina Medical Clinic and specialty operations.

"This position is an extraordinary opportunity to help Allina become a national model of health care reform," said Paulus. "We are at a crossroads in the industry, and it is our responsibility to deliver the safest, highest quality, and most efficient patient care possible. To do so, we will have to rely on technology, but we also must better integrate care among and between health care providers. I look forward to working with the physicians, nurses, and staff throughout Allina to ensure we deliver on our mission of providing exceptional patient care."

Paulus, who starts Dec. 19, comes to Allina from Massachusetts-based Health One Care System/Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, where he was president and CEO. Health One is one of the nation's largest physician organizations and a teaching and research affiliate of Harvard Medical School.

"We're tremendously lucky to have attracted someone with Ken's experience and talent," said Pettingill. "I am confident that people throughout our organization and the broader community will not only enjoy working with Ken, but that he will also bring the skills and vision to help ensure Allina is a model of operational efficiency."

Paulus, 46, is no stranger to the Midwest. A Wisconsin native, he also received his MHA from the University of Minnesota.

"My family and I are delighted to be back," said Paulus. "Historically, the health care delivery system here in Minnesota has been the most innovative in the country, and its health care providers among the very best. We have all of the ingredients necessary to make a major move forward in improving the health of our community."

In addition to his leadership at Health One, Paulus served as the chief operating officer for Partners Community Health Care/Partners Health Care System and for Alta Bates Medical Resources, Berkeley, Calif. His key accomplishments include establishing Health One Care System as a leader in quality and value for cost and efficiency; achieving some of the highest patient, doctor and employee satisfaction scores ever at one organization; developing a nationally leading service line; building strong physician relationships; and energizing and empowering managers and employees to solve their own problems.

With Paulus' starting Pettingill says he will be able to devote more attention to other key priorities, including leadership and board development, strategy and philanthropy.

"This is the right time to bring Ken on-board," said Pettingill. "Allina is an organization undergoing a profound transformation and Ken is the right person to help navigate the challenges and seize the many opportunities that lie ahead."

About Allina Hospitals & Clinics

Allina Hospitals & Clinics is a not-for-profit system of hospitals, clinics and other health care services, providing care throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Allina owns and operates 11 hospitals, 65 clinics, hospice services, oxygen and equipment, pharmacies, and emergency medical transportation services. Allina Hospitals & Clinics and the latest health information can be found online at www.allina.com.