Rashard Johnson was placed as the president of the 205-bed Advocate Trinity Hospital in southeast Chicago and the 231-bed Advocate South Suburban Hospital in suburban Hazel Crest – both part of the newly merged Advocate Aurora Health system. In this capacity, he will be charged with ensuring system optimization, as well as market and site achievement of business and growth goals, through directing all daily patient care operations for the two hospitals and affiliated outpatient service providers. He will develop, recommend, and implement site market and growth strategies; execute operating policies; and direct subordinate positions in developing and implementing tactical plans to achieve high-quality, cost-effective patient care – all in the interest of helping lead Advocate Aurora Health to the realization of its vision of having the best health outcomes and best service in Chicagoland.
Rashard comes to Advocate Aurora from CHI St. Luke’s Health, where he served as the vice president of operations and chief operating officer for the system’s North Houston Market, comprised of three hospitals totaling 276 beds, as well as 12 outpatient care centers. Rashard had 18 departments reporting to him, and responsibility for all major service lines and support services with the exception of orthopedic and cardiovascular. During his tenure, he successfully restructured his region and recruited major service line leadership, as well as introducing a labor efficiency tool that increased productivity and decreased labor costs. He also had the opportunity to build on the system’s joint venture affiliation with Baylor Medicine, devising approaches to further integrate the community hospitals in his service area with the school’s College of Medicine, and led the strategy to enhance his market’s ambulatory network.
Previously, Rashard served as the assistant vice president for support services at University of Texas Southwestern Hospitals and Clinics, and as the director of operations for Jackson Health System’s Holtz Children’s Hospital and JMH Women’s Hospital. At the outset of his career, he completed an administrative residency at the Miami VA Healthcare System and an administrative fellowship at Jackson Health System in Miami.
Rashard is originally from Miami, and holds a bachelor’s degree in health sciences and a master’s degree in health services administration from the University of Central Florida. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and three children, as well as fishing, cycling, and world travel. He is also very active on community boards and with professional organizations including the American College of Healthcare Executives and National Association of Health Services Executives.
QLK’s Steve Derks and Lindsey Hochman led the search to recruit Rashard to Advocate Aurora Health.
