Podcast 202: Lessons From Leading a Safety Net Hospital w/ Tesa Anewishki, President & CEO, Loretto Hospital

Episode Summary

On Chicago's West Side, a 100-year-old safety net hospital serves a community where the average life expectancy is 20 years shorter than it is just seven minutes away. Loretto Hospital collects 32 cents on the dollar, runs on 84% Medicaid, and still finds ways to innovate, collaborate, and show up for people that the rest of the system has left behind. Tesa Anewishki, CEO, Loretto Hospital joins host John Marchica to discuss what it really takes to lead a safety net hospital, how community-rooted care models are closing the gap on health disparities, and why collaboration beats competition when people's lives are on the line.

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🎙 ABOUT TESA ANEWISHKI
Tesa Anewishki is the first African and Native American woman to serve as president and chief executive officer in the hospital’s 100-year history. Loretto is an acute care, safety net hospital that provides access to essential medical services to the Austin Community and adjacent west side neighborhoods. She governs operations for 20 primary care and specialty clinics and leads more than 500 team members.

An equity advocate and patient ambassador, Tesa knows that accessibility to high-quality healthcare is more than an individual’s right – but what is, humane and just! Tesa seeks to address the death gap through transformative investment in communities of color that have often been overlooked and underserved. She is a catalyst for creative and innovative solutions that address the political and social determinants of health that contribute to the decrease in life expectancy.

Tesa started working at Loretto Hospital in 2010 as the director of marketing and foundation administrator directing media, public relations, advertising, and community and clinical outreach. Later, she became the chief development officer and executive director, securing more than $36 million dollars in grant funding and donations. A seasoned strategist, she began her career working in advertising and brand management for national consumer products and media firms, including American Urban Radio Networks, GeoSegment Marketing for General Mill,s and Proctor & Gardner Advertising. She later joined the iconic Johnson Publishing Company as the marketing director of JET Magazine, with responsibility for the strategic planning, management, budget, execution, and evaluation of nationwide marketing programs and merchandising activities for advertisers.

A Chicago native, Tesa holds an MBA from the Keller Graduate School of Management and is a graduate of Roosevelt University with a degree in Integrated Marketing Communications. Tesa has been a community advocate and involved in community service for over 30 years. She is a current Board Member and previous Board Chair of Featherfist, one of Chicago’s largest homeless outreach agencies. She also serves on the Westside Community Stakeholders Executive Committee. She is a 2023 recipient of the 100 Westside Women of Wisdom and Inspiration Awards and received an honorary award from the Westside Chamber of Commerce for outstanding service to the community. She often volunteers her time at Claudia’s & Eddie’s Place, a recovery home, to mentor women on job readiness and career paths.

🎙 ABOUT HEALTH CARE ROUNDS
Health Care Rounds is a weekly podcast developed for health care leaders who are at the forefront of health care delivery and payment reform. Join Darwin Research Group founder and CEO John Marchica as he discusses the latest advancements in health care business news and policy developments.

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