For Immediate Release
Contact:
Laura Blodgett
734-712-4536
Laura.Blodgett@stjoeshealth.org
June 27, 2019
CANTON and NORTON SHORES, Mich. – (June 27, 2019) – Saint Joseph Mercy Health System and Mercy Health, the two health systems that form the Michigan Region of Trinity Health based in Livonia, Michigan, are pleased to announce that Sean Gehle has been appointed regional vice president of Advocacy and Government Relations for the state of Michigan, effective immediately.
"As one of the state's largest faith-based health care systems, Mercy Health and Saint Joseph Mercy Health System are leading the way on important legislative and regulatory issues that can affect our ability to meet the needs of the communities we serve," said Rob Casalou, president and CEO, Trinity Health Michigan Region. "Leveraging the strength of Trinity Health, our advocacy program is working to influence public policies that are critical to realizing our mission and vision. We are pleased to have Sean joining us to continue to lead these efforts."
Gehle will have a dual reporting relationship with Casalou and Tina Weatherwax-Grant, vice president of Advocacy and Public Policy for Trinity Health. Autumn Gillard will continue to support Trinity Health Michigan's advocacy efforts as manager of Advocacy and Government Relations, reporting to Gehle.
Previously, Gehle led advocacy efforts for Ascension Michigan since 2004, most recently serving as Chief Advocacy Officer since 2016, a role in which he helped shape the system's state and national agenda. Prior to joining Ascension, he served as a legislative aide to Sen. George McManus, Jr., and as manager of legislative issues for MHA in the 1990s.
He earned his bachelor's degree in political science from Michigan State and his MBA from Western Michigan University.
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About Trinity Health Michigan
Trinity Health – Michigan is a leading health care provider and one of the state’s largest employers. With almost 24,000 full-time employees serving numerous counties, Trinity Health – Michigan provides the full continuum of care for Michigan’s residents through eight hospitals, including the five hospitals of Saint Joseph Mercy Health System in Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Howell, Livonia and Pontiac, and the three-hospital Mercy Health, operating in Grand Rapids and Muskegon.
Throughout Michigan, Trinity Health operates numerous ambulatory care locations, three home health agencies, one hospice agency and 19 senior living communities, which include sites featuring skilled nursing, assisted living and memory care as well as independent senior living communities. It also manages 13 additional senior living facilities, including low-income housing through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Nationally, Trinity Health is a leading Catholic health care system based in Livonia, Michigan, with operations in 22 states. Trinity Health employs about 129,000 colleagues, has annual operating revenues of $18.3 billion, assets of $26.2 billion, and returns about
$1.1 billion to its communities annually in the form of charity care and other community benefit programs.