Sisters of Charity Health System CEO Thomas Strauss to Lead Mercy Medical Center as Paul Hiltz Accepts New Role

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

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CLEVELAND – JULY 26, 2019 – The Sisters of Charity Health System today announced President & CEO Thomas J. Strauss will take on the additional role of interim CEO of Mercy Medical Center, one of the health system’s two Catholic hospitals in Ohio. Paul Hiltz, who has led Mercy Medical Center since 2017, has accepted a position with NCH Healthcare System, a two-hospital Mayo Clinic Care Network affiliate in Naples, Fla.

“Mercy Medical Center has truly shone under Paul’s leadership. He has helped transform Mercy’s operations and positioned it well for the future while maintaining steadfast commitment to high quality Catholic health care,” said Strauss. “During his tenure, Mercy received 4 stars from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and achieved high marks from The Joint Commission, the American Heart Association and The LeapFrog Group.” 

Founded in 1908 by the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine, Mercy Medical Center’s recent achievements and successes also include delivering a higher standard of care for treatment of heart attack patients; several consecutive years of national recognition for outstanding quality care for cancer patients; new technology for preventing infections; innovative approaches to patient safety and monitoring; and investments in Plain Township and northeast Canton that expanded outpatient and dental services, and helped boost the regional economy. 

“During my time here, the board and I worked to cultivate a leadership team that is fully prepared to take Mercy Medical Center boldly into the future,” said Hiltz. “Our focus on leadership development and formation has created a depth of capable, creative and committed servant leaders with a firm foundation in our Catholic identity and principles, and I have great confidence in the future of Mercy.” Hiltz’s last day with Mercy Medical Center will be Friday, August 30. 

“In addition to operational strength and leadership, Mercy Medical Center is fortunate to have outstanding physicians without whom fulfilling our mission of providing high quality care would be impossible,” said Strauss. “I am confident that together, we will continue to build on our recent successes, and continue to meet the needs of the individuals, families and communities we serve.” 

Since 2017, Strauss has served as president & CEO of the Sisters of Charity Health System, which includes two Catholic hospitals, two skilled nursing and assisted living facilities, three grantmaking foundations addressing the root causes of poverty, and six health and human service outreach organizations in Ohio and South Carolina. He joined the health system from CEO Advisory Network, where he was managing member and co-founder. Previously, Strauss led Summa Health System for 15 years, during which time Summa experienced significant growth in market share and financial revenues, and earned the NorthCoast 99 award for best workplaces in Northeast Ohio for 11 straight years. His extensive experience also includes leadership roles for Meridia Health System, Baxter Health Care Corporation and Allegheny General Hospital.   

“We are honored for Tom to increase his presence and leadership with our hospital executive team," said Jack Gravo, chair, board of directors, Mercy Medical Center. “Our award-winning services, highly regarded team of physicians and compassionate caregivers distinguish Mercy as an outstanding hospital for the Stark County community and beyond. We sincerely thank Paul, and wish him well as he moves to Florida and continues his accomplished career.” 

About Mercy Medical Center 

Mercy Medical Center, a ministry of the Sisters of Charity Health System, operates a 476-bed hospital serving Stark, Carroll, Wayne, Holmes and Tuscarawas Counties and parts of southeastern Ohio. It has 620 members on its medical staff and employs 2,500 people. Mercy operates outpatient health centers in Alliance, Carroll County, Jackson Township, Lake Township, Louisville, Massillon, North Canton, Plain Township and Tuscarawas County. A Catholic hospital, Mercy Medical Center upholds the mission and philosophy of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine and continues to be responsive to the needs of the community. 

About Sisters of Charity Health System

The Sisters of Charity Health System was established in 1982 as the parent corporation for the sponsored ministries of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine in Ohio and South Carolina. The Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine is a congregation of women religious that, since founding in 1851, continues a faith-based legacy of high-quality, compassionate care in partnership with its co-ministers, who are the heart and hands of the ministry.

The Sisters of Charity Health System includes two Catholic hospitals: St. Vincent Charity Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio; and Mercy Medical Center in Canton, Ohio. The health system also oversees three grantmaking foundations located in Cleveland, Canton and Columbia, South Carolina. Each foundation sponsors significant community initiatives and collaborations that address causes and consequences of poverty. Outreach organizations include Joseph’s Home, a unique residential care center for homeless men in Cleveland; Early Childhood Resource Center for people working in childcare in all settings in Canton; Healthy Learners, a health care resource for children from low-income families in South Carolina; and the South Carolina Center for Fathers and Families, a state-wide organization supporting initiatives to reengage fathers in the lives of their children. The Sisters of Charity Health System also provides residential elder care services at Regina Health Center in Richfield, Ohio, and Light of Hearts Villa in Bedford, Ohio.