Cejka Executive Search Recruits CEO for Valley-Wide Health Systems
January 25, 2019 – After an extensive nationwide hunt, Cejka Executive Search has placed Jania Arnoldi as the new president and chief executive officer for Valley-Wide Health Systems, a community-based healthcare provider in Alamosa, CO. The search was led by Mark Madden, executive vice president and managing principal.
“I believe that Jania will fit in with Valley-Wide and will provide the leadership needed to guide the organization as it navigates the challenges that arise, especially with regard to innovations in reimbursement,” said Gigi Darricades, Valley-Wide’s current CEO, who announced her retirement last May. “She has extensive experience and this will benefit Valley-Wide in many ways. She is assuming leadership of Valley-Wide as it continues to expand its offerings across the San Luis Valley, Canon City and the Arkansas Valley and demonstrates her interest in enhancing her health care management skills by pursuing further education.”
Ms. Arnoldi, who joins the organization on Feb. 25, brings over 19 years of experience in healthcare leadership, most recently serving as CFO at Sun Life Family Health Center in Casa Grande, AZ. Sun Life Family Health Center’s profile is similar to that of Valley-Wide Health Systems, as it operates as a community health center with integrated medical, dental, behavioral health and pharmacy services across 14 locations.
Throughout her professional life, Ms. Arnoldi has served on several boards and committees, including as bond committee chair for the Northwest Fire Department and chairman of the Arizona Alliance of Community Health Center, Financial Officer’s Group.
Valley-Wide Health System is a community/migrant health center governed by a volunteer community board. Established in 1976, Valley-Wide has 14 primary healthcare delivery sites strategically located throughout multiple rural counties in Southern Colorado. These full-service clinics are complemented by eight dental clinics, four physical therapy clinics and numerous ancillary health services to address routine and/or complex needs of the patient populations and communities served.
Along with multiple outreach programs, Valley-Wide also oversees an Agricultural Worker Health Service Program that provides vouchers to patients in areas of the state that do not house C/MHCs. The non-profit serves all ages through a family practice focus approach. Emphasis is placed on assisting the patient, reducing barriers such as cost, culture, language, literacy and transportation that may hinder use of appropriate healthcare services.
Healthcare Recruiters
Cejka Executive Search, based in St. Louis, has provided recruiting services exclusively to the healthcare industry for more than 35 years. Its client roster includes Georgetown University Hospital, Northwestern Memorial, Levine Cancer Institute, St. John Providence Health System, Tenet, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Washington University in St Louis School of Medicine, Centene Corp., Cape Fear Valley Health and Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center.
Tapping Outside Talent for Life Science and Healthcare
For these top 50 executive recruiters working in the life science and healthcare sectors, the last decade has been one of transformation. Pressure on pricing, regulatory changes, emerging innovations, growth and an uncertain political environment have all helped shape a new field of play.
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The firm has conducted searches for an array of roles, including chief medical information officer, chief compliance officer, chief of oncology, chief medical officer, chief of pediatrics, chief of neurology, chief nursing officer, CEO, CFO, COO, department chair, chief clinical officer, medical director and chief strategy officer.
Mr. Madden, who joined Cejka Executive Search earlier this year, leads executive search services for senior healthcare executive positions. He has extensive experience leading board search committees in executive recruitment, leveraging his expertise in leadership assessment and evaluation as well as his thorough understanding of the complex issues facing healthcare leaders. With more than 25 years of experience, Mr. Madden provides expertise in healthcare recruitment for C-suite executives, physician executives, medical group practices and senior services administrators.
A Veteran Recruiter
Previously, Mr. Madden spent more than seven years with B.E. Smith serving as SVP of executive search. Prior to that, he was VP of Integrated Healthcare Strategies, a role he held for 17 years.
He has worked closely with boards, search committees, senior-level executives and physicians. His search engagements have included C-suite positions for large multi-site, integrated and tertiary health systems, as well as smaller community hospitals and medical group practices.
“Mark brings a strong track record of partnering with organizations, boards and search committees to achieve successful search outcomes as well as build lasting relationships,” said Paul Esselman, senior executive vice president and managing director at Cejka, at the time of Mr. Madden’s hiring. “We are excited about the added depth his experience and expertise will bring to our already accomplished executive search team.”
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor; and Andrew W. Mitchell, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
