Great River Health Systems today announced Matthew Wenzel will become president
and chief executive officer Tuesday, Jan. 2. He will succeed Mark Richardson,
who has held the position since 1997.
Wenzel worked at Saint Luke’s Health System in Kansas City from 2006
to 2017. Most recently, he was president and CEO of Saint Luke’s
North Hospital, a two-campus hospital with a combined 159 beds. He had
been CEO of Hedrick Medical Center, another health system facility, where
he led the planning, design and construction of a new hospital.
“Choosing a new leader to carry on Great River Health Systems’
mission is a significant decision,” said Dan Wiedemeier, board chairman.
“We chose Matt Wenzel because he demonstrates excellent interpersonal
relationships with employees combined with strong leadership skills. Changes
in health care are increasingly challenging, and he is a good fit to meet
those challenges.”
Wenzel received a bachelor’s degree in biology-pre-medicine from
the University of Missouri in 2001, and concurrent Master of Health Administration
and Master of Science-Healthcare Informatics degrees from the university
in 2004. Before joining Saint Luke’s Health System, Wenzel was marketing
manager of physician solutions at Cerner Corporation, the health information
technology company that provides Great River Health Systems’ electronic
medical records system.
Wenzel is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. He
serves on the boards of directors of YMCA of Greater Kansas City and Northland
Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the economic development councils of
Parkville, Clay County and Platte County, Missouri.
Wenzel and his wife, Andrea, have four children.