Board Member, Civic Leader Michael Fisher Elected New President / CEO

Monday, January 01, 0001

Michael Fisher has been elected the next president and CEO of Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center effective Jan. 1, 2010.

Fisher, a respected business and civic leader, has been a member of the Cincinnati Children's Board of Trustees for five years.

"During his time on the board, Michael has distinguished himself as a keen, insightful advisor and a passionate advocate for Cincinnati Children's," said Tom Cody, chairman of the Board of Trustees and head of the CEO search committee.

"He brings a unique combination of experience, skill and proven leadership: strategic thinking, entrepreneurial spirit, a collaborative style, demonstrated effectiveness in business management and team building, and a vision for what Cincinnati Children's can be locally, regionally, nationally and internationally."

Fisher will take the position held by James Anderson for the past 12 years. Anderson was also a member of the Board of Trustees before being chosen CEO and his professional experience was outside healthcare.

"Michael's experience on the Board was a plus," Cody said. "He understands the organization, its vision and values. A life-long resident of Cincinnati, he understands the community and, perhaps most important, he has a profound commitment to improving the health of children."

Fisher has been a principal in his family's business, Fisher Investment Group, and president and CEO of Premier Manufacturing Support Services. By the time that business was sold to The ServiceMaster Company in 1996, it had become a global enterprise.

In January 2001, Fisher was chosen to lead the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber of Commerce, a position he held for five years.

Commenting on his new role at Cincinnati Children's, Fisher said he is passionate about helping children and their families.

"I have been inspired by the vision, mission and culture of Cincinnati Children's and I see enormous potential for the hospital's future," he said. "I believe all my professional experience has been preparing me for this opportunity to make a big contribution here."

A Cincinnati native, Fisher graduated from Walnut Hills High School in 1977, earned his college degree in economics at Stanford University, spent three years in administration at Northwestern University, and then returned to his home town.

Michael has been active in community building and fundraising, working to enhance many local civic and Jewish organizations. He and his wife, Suzette, co-chaired the United Way campaign in 2003. Michael and Suzette have four children and live in Amberley Village.

The search committee was made up of people from both inside and outside Cincinnati Children's. Employees on both the medical and business sides of the hospital participated. Uma Kotagal, MBBS, MSc, senior vice president, Quality and Transformation, was one member of the committee.

"We had an excellent pool of candidates," Kotagal said. "They came from a variety of geographies and professions, including medical, hospital, health care system, academic, business and not-for-profit backgrounds. Fisher was the clear choice to lead us into the future."

Cody expressed thanks to Anderson for his extraordinary leadership since 1996. "Cincinnati Children's is stronger today than ever before, and we make the commitment to build on the foundation you have laid for us," Cody said.

The transition to new leadership will officially begin Nov. 16. Fisher will assume the CEO position on Jan. 1.

Fisher said he looks forward to the challenges and opportunities at Cincinnati Children's.

"My skills and experiences have prepared me, but health care and academic medicine represent a new and rapidly changing world to explore," he said. "Fortunately, I have a good model for success in my predecessor, who made a similar transition."

Fisher said among his first priorities will be to listen, observe and learn; strengthen and establish relationships; complete the update of the hospital's strategic plan; and cope with the tough economy and health-care reform.

Ultimately, his goals are succinct: "I hope to leave Cincinnati Children's stronger than I found it and to move us closer to being the globally recognized leader in improving child health."