Excela Health Appoints Permanent CEO

GREENSBURG, Pa., December 10, 2019 … Officials at Excela Health today announced that John Sphon has been appointed permanent Chief Executive Officer of Excela Health after serving as the System’s acting CEO since April. According to Teresa Petrick, Chair of Excela’s Board of Trustees, the appointment of Mr. Sphon secures the talent of a seasoned and accomplished healthcare executive for the organization.

“John has demonstrated a consistent track record of significant success in his over 30 years in the healthcare sector,” Petrick stated. “He is highly skilled in such areas as business development and operations, establishing and nurturing effective physician relationships, and employee engagement. These attributes will be crucial to Excela’s success and vitality going forward.”

As a resident and native of Westmoreland County, Sphon also is keenly aware of the unique attributes of Excela’s service area and has formed outstanding working relationships with civic leaders, Petrick noted. “John’s deep understanding of the market also will serve us well,” she said.

Sphon attended the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he received both his undergraduate and graduate degrees. He is on the Board of Directors of the Economic Growth Connection and a member of the Central Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce.

During his tenure as Acting CEO at Excela, Sphon and his management team, working collaboratively with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals across all Excela Health campuses, realized operational improvements in such important areas as length-of-stay and emergency room time from arrival to discharge. Moreover, they are seeing gains in utilization and financial performance from corresponding timeframes last year.

“It is an honor and a privilege to have been selected to serve as CEO of Excela on a permanent basis,” commented Sphon. “I am most fortunate to be leading an organization that offers our patients the talents of an exceptional medical staff, care from outstanding nurses, and assistance from highly dedicated support personnel.”

Concluding he noted, “We are gaining momentum and making progress in key areas of our operations. I look forward to us continuing to secure and enhance Excela’s position as the preeminent provider of healthcare in our region, and to provide the most effective and efficient care we can for the patients we serve.”