Loyola University Hospital Names Sharon O'Keefe New President

Loyola University Hospital named Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing alumna Sharon O'Keefe, RN, MSN, its new president effective Monday, April 27, 2009. O’Keefe was recruited to Loyola from Barnes-Jewish Hospital where she has served as chief operating officer since July 2002.

"Ms. O'Keefe has an excellent track record of success, wonderful interpersonal skills and a proven capacity to lead and inspire others," said Paul K. Whelton, MD, president and CEO of Loyola University Health System.

Originally from Chicago, O’Keefe obtained a bachelor of science in nursing from Northern Illinois University in 1974. She then began her career as a critical care nurse at Loyola in 1974 and obtained a master of science in nursing from the Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing in 1976.

O'Keefe was recruited to Johns Hopkins Hospital as director of nursing, surgical services in 1979 and subsequently to senior management roles at several other prominent health care institutions, including Montefiore Medical Center in New York, University of Maryland Medical System in Baltimore and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. O’Keefe also served as a senior manager for Ernst & Whinney, where she developed a consulting practice focused on organizational design and operations improvement.

Ms. O’Keefe has had significant experience in operations management, improvement in financial performance, achievement of quality, safety and patient satisfaction goals, support of the academic environment and the appreciation of mission objectives.

"I am excited to return to the organization that shaped my academic and early professional years," said O'Keefe. "I believe in Loyola's mission and commitment to excellence in patient care and look forward to working with senior leadership to guide the organization."