OSF HealthCare’s Querciagrossa named among Becker’s ‘110 rural hospital, health system CEOs to know’
Becker’s Hospital Review recently published its 2024 list of “110 rural hospital and health system CEOs to know.”
Among them was August “AJ” Querciagrossa, CEO of the Western Region at OSF HealthCare (Peoria, Ill.). Querciagrossa’s region includes OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center in Alton.
AJ Querciagrossa (Photo courtesy OSF HealthCare)
In the accompanying bio published by Becker’s, it noted that “Querciagrossa leads efforts to address access to care, including the expansion of emergency services in rural areas. He played a pivotal role in developing a model of care to support Illinois Valley communities when St. Margaret’s Health – Spring Valley (Ill.) closed in 2023, working with his teams to quickly establish local options for urgent care, primary care, digital care, obstetrics and gynecology, occupational health and rehabilitation services.
“He is leading the opening of a second OSF Saint Elizabeth Medical Center campus in rural Peru, Ill., which is expected to open in the spring,” Becker’s Hospital Review writers further noted. “He has overseen Illinois Valley job growth and creation by spearheading efforts to hire over 400 former St. Margaret Health employees, more than 50 physicians, and advanced medical providers. He oversees eight hospitals, several of which achieved national rankings. OSF Saint Luke was awarded a 4-star rating in January 2024 by the National Rural Rating System, a program recognizing excellence in rural health care. Additionally, OSF Saint Elizabeth and OSF Saint Paul were recognized for performance leadership by Chartis Center for Rural Health. OSF brought Perry Memorial Hospital into its system two years ago and renamed it OSF Saint Clare Medical Center. The critical access hospital serves residents of Princeton, Ill. and surrounding communities.”
In regard to the selected 110 CEOs to know, the publication noted: “Rural hospitals allow patients from remote areas to receive care without traveling long distances or sacrificing quality. The CEOs leading these necessary institutions take on a variety of responsibilities to ensure rural communities have access to top-tier healthcare. The executives featured on this list are committed to expanding hospital service lines, renovating and improving their facilities, and hiring talented team members. Although many rural hospitals have struggled due to Covid-19 and national staffing shortages in recent years, these leaders have created sustainable models for continued success.”
Becker’s further noted that the list was not exhaustive and is not an endorsement of included leaders, organizations or healthcare providers. Leaders and organizations cannot pay for inclusion on this list.
To read the complete story and list, visit https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/lists/110-rural-hospital-and-health-system-ceos-to-know-2024.html.
