MAYWOOD, Ill. – Wendy S. Leutgens, RN, MSN, a health-care executive with more than 20 years of experience in hospital operations, nursing management and physician practice management, has been named chief operating officer of Loyola University Medical Center. Her start date is June 4.
Leutgens previously served as associate hospital director of professional services at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tenn., where she collaborated with other leaders to oversee the professional services division, encompassing radiology, pharmacy, laboratories, radiation oncology, access services, medical information services, allied health programs and acute rehabilitation services.
"I am delighted that Wendy will be joining our senior leadership team," said Larry Goldberg, president and CEO, Loyola University Health System. "Her success in leading business process changes will be a great asset to us as we pursue initiatives to improve clinical effectiveness and support our financial health."
Leutgens holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from East Carolina University, Greenville, N.C., graduating in 1987, and earned a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of North Carolina, Charlotte, in 1991.
She began her career as a staff nurse, caring for pediatric patients at Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, and assumed roles of greater leadership and responsibility over the next 20 years. Before her career at Vanderbilt, which began in 2002 with the role of assistant hospital director, clinical services access, she worked for PhyCor of Wilmington, N.C., as chief operating officer of a multispecialty group practice and later as director of clinical and administrative operations at PhyCor's corporate office.