Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson Health’s Board of Trustees have announced Joseph G. Cacchione, MD, will join the organization as its new CEO. 

He will officially be the successor to Stephen Klasko, who announced his retirement in Fall 2021 after eight years at the helm. Effective since Dec. 31, 2021, Jefferson Emeritus Board Trustee H. Richard Haverstick, Jr. has been serving as interim CEO since Jan. 1, 2022. 

Dr. Cacchione will be joining Jefferson from Ascension Health, one of the largest nonprofit healthcare systems in the U.S., where he has served as an integral leader since 2017.

His most recent — and current — role was as executive vice president of clinical and network services, where he helped lead 165,000 employees across 145 hospitals and more than 2,600 care sites across the U.S. and the District of Columbia.

Patricia D. Wellenbach, Jefferson’s Board Chair, noted that during its search for a new CEO, the Board put an emphasis on finding a leader who would be committed to the mission of improving lives through innovation, partnerships and the reduction of racial, ethnic, health and socioeconomic disparities. 

“With Dr. Cacchione, we’ve found the visionary and operational leader we need to reach new heights in healthcare, research and higher education,” said Wellenbach in a press release. “His experience successfully managing large, complex organizations while also demonstrating thoughtful, inclusive leadership, leaves no doubt in my mind that he is the best person to take Jefferson into the future.”

Dr. Cacchione has been a lifelong advocate for clinical quality and patient experience. Throughout his career, he has built his record on identifying high-impact opportunities to best meet the needs of patients and communities, and designing strategies to provide better care while enabling growth consistent with an organization's core mission.

As Jefferson CEO, Dr. Cacchione will work closely with Jefferson Health President Dr. Bruce A. Meyer, MD, MBA, and Thomas Jefferson University President Mark L. Tykocinski, MD to continue advancing the enterprise’s growth strategy and further shape the future of healthcare, research and professions-focused education on a national and international stage.

"I look forward to working together with the dedicated Jefferson team to continue the remarkable work they have done around creating one of the nation's most respected healthcare organizations and distinctive universities,” said Dr. Cacchione. 

“I believe in organizations that make their communities better, and I can think of no better example than Jefferson,” he added.

Prior to joining Ascension, Dr. Cacchione spent eight years at the Cleveland Clinic, where he was chairman of operations and strategy for its heart and vascular institute. He previously served as executive vice president and chief of quality and operations at Saint Vincent’s Health System.

Dr. Cacchione is a private practice cardiologist and large private physician practice executive, which is how he cut his teeth during the first portion of his career. He is also Board Certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology. 

He earned his bachelor’s degree from Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania. He then went on to complete his internship and residency in internal medicine at Case Western Reserve University; completed his residency in cardiology at the University of Rochester; and also served as a Cardiac Research and Interventional Fellow at Case Western Reserve University, before earning his doctorate from Hahnemann University. 

His appointment as the new CEO of Jefferson represents a homecoming for the cardiologist, who will be returning to the Philadelphia area, the same area in which he earned his medical degree. 

Dr. Cacchione will officially join Jefferson beginning Tuesday, Sept. 6.