Jan L. Bergen, the President and CEO of Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health since September 2015, announced plans today to retire in January 2021.
The Lancaster General Health Board of Trustees, Penn Medicine leadership and an advisory committee of local business and community representatives are leading a national search for a successor.
“Thanks to her exceptional leadership, LG Health is recognized nationally for excellence in patient care and its relentless commitment to improving the health and well-being of all in our community,” said D. Michael Wege, Chairman of the Lancaster General Health Board of Trustees. “For this and so much more, Jan has our profound gratitude.”
Through a video message to more than 9,000 LG Health employees, Bergen said, “I have been so fortunate to work with the most compassionate and talented professionals in every corner of our organization. You have given me the greatest gift: The opportunity to live my legacy at LG Health by being the best that I can be and by making a meaningful impact on the people and community I love.”
Major health-system milestones achieved during Bergen’s leadership include:
- Growing a system of care that annually touches more than 450,000 unique lives through a network of three hospitals, more than 60 physician practices, dozens of ambulatory facilities, and more than 625 physicians and advanced-practice professionals across primary-care, medical and surgical specialties.
- Investing in enhanced inpatient services through strategic expansions at Lancaster General Hospital (including the new Frederick Building and Seraph-McSparren Pediatric Inpatient Center), and the opening of the 126-bed Lancaster Behavioral Health Hospital, through a joint venture with Universal Health Services.
- Expanding convenient access to quality care through the development of seven urgent care centers throughout Lancaster County and beyond that today provide care to more than 120,000 patients per year and decrease emergency department utilization.
- Receiving the national Foster G. McGaw honor by the American Hospital Association for excellence in community service in 2018.
- Championing the development of a systemwide culture that advances the values of servant leadership and the principles of continuous improvement.
- Pursuing innovation through a partnership that created the Smart Health Innovation Lab in downtown Lancaster and by offering employer-based services, including on-site and near-site clinics, which enable employers to improve the health of their workforce while lowering health-care costs.
- Achieving consistent national recognitions in safety and clinical quality from U.S. News & World Report, Healthgrades, CMS Hospital Compare, Leapfrog and the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program.
“It is not easy to put into words how much Jan has done for LG Health and the health of South Central Pennsylvania,” said Kevin Mahoney, CEO of the University of Pennsylvania Health System. “She has led with expertise, energy, passion and displayed a true service-oriented commitment and connection to her community. Her strategic vision and tireless advocacy for patient care have been the driving forces behind LG Health’s growth.”
Bergen joined LG Health in 2000 as Senior Vice President of Ambulatory Care and the Women & Babies Hospital after serving as Senior Vice President for Bryn Mawr Hospital in suburban Philadelphia. After providing executive leadership resulting in the successful development and opening of LG Health’s 95-bed women’s hospital, Bergen assumed responsibility of the system’s diverse offerings in outpatient, women’s and children’s health services.
Seven years later, Bergen became Executive Vice President for Strategic Implementation and the health system’s first Chief Mission Officer. She then provided senior oversight for development of the 59-bed Lancaster Rehabilitation Hospital, in partnership with Kindred Healthcare.
In October 2010, Bergen served eight months as LG Health’s Chief Executive Officer while then-CEO Thomas E. Beeman was recalled to active duty in the Navy. By July 2011, Bergen became President, Lancaster General Health Network & Executive Vice President, Lancaster General Hospital. Two years later, she began leading all operations within LG Health, including physician services, hospital operations and ambulatory services – culminating in the opening of the nationally recognized Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute.
As Chief Operating Officer, Bergen strengthened operational performance, established a widely distributed network of ambulatory and physician services, and integrated clinical services in support of population health management. She also provided executive leadership completing LG Health’s membership in Penn Medicine, enhancing our region’s access to cost-effective, high-quality care and strengthening two complementary teaching and research missions.
Bergen serves as vice chair of the Milton Hershey School and Hershey Trust Company boards, and as a director of Ecore International. She previously served as board chair of the Lancaster County Community Foundation, and chaired the Community Impact Committee while an executive committee and board member of the United Way of Lancaster County. Additional past board service included time with local chapters of the American Cancer Society and American Heart Association, among other organizations.
“It has been an honor to dedicate the past 20 plus years of my life's work to a health system that has given so much to so many,” Bergen said.
About Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health
Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health is one of the most comprehensive healthcare systems in Pennsylvania, providing a diverse range of acute-care inpatient services through Lancaster General Hospital, Women & Babies Hospital, Lancaster Rehabilitation Hospital and the Lancaster Behavioral Health Hospital; primary and specialty care through Lancaster General Health Physicians; ambulatory and urgent-care centers and wellness services. For more information, visit www.LGHealth.org. Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health is part of the University of Pennsylvania Health System (UPHS), which, together with the University of Pennsylvania’s Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine, forms Penn Medicine, one of the world’s leading academic medical centers, dedicated to the related missions of medical education, biomedical research and excellence in patient care.
MEDIA CONTACT:
John Lines
john.lines@pennmedicine.upenn.edu