From the Center for Hospital and Healthcare Administration History

Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Brenda Stenger, [email protected], (312) 422-2017

William Petasnick Oral History Released Long-time leader at academic medical centers

CHICAGO (December 4, 2017) – The Center for Hospital and Healthcare Administration History announces a new publication in the Hospital Administration Oral History series:

 William D. Petasnick in First Person: An Oral History

While a student at the University of Wisconsin in the ‘60s, young Bill Petasnick was assigned to write a paper about the newly-passed, controversial government health care program called Medicare. He took the initiative to drop by the administrative offices at the nearby Wisconsin General Hospital and was given the opportunity to speak with Superintendent Edward Connors about this topic. This led to a lifelong mentorship and the development of Mr. Petasnick’s interest in pursuing a career in health care administration.

Mr. Petasnick did his graduate work at the University of Minnesota health care administration program and began to work his way up in leadership postings at the University of Michigan Hospitals, the University of Wisconsin Hospital & Clinics, North Carolina Memorial Hospital and the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, where he had the opportunity to work for long-time director John Colloton.

In the early ‘90s, Mr. Petasnick was approached to consider applying for the CEO position at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee during a time when parts of the local hospital and medical school infrastructure were being restructured. He accepted the challenge and was instrumental in helping to build today’s Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin.

In this comprehensive oral history interview about his life and career, Mr. Petasnick reminisces about lessons learned in each step along his career path. He shares thoughts on governance, leadership style and shaping corporate culture. He also discusses how he became involved in leadership at the American Hospital Association where he served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees in 2008.

The full text of this new oral history interview is available at no charge on the Center website at http://www.aha.org/chhah. Other recent oral history interviews which can be found on the website include that of John G. King, Dr. Paul Batalden, Scott Parker, Dr. Thomas F. Frist, Jr., Sr. Mary Roch Rocklage, Dr. David Lawrence, Percy Allen, and Edward A. Eckenhoff.

The Center for Hospital and Healthcare Administration History was established by the American Hospital Association and the American College of Healthcare Executives and is coordinated by the AHA Resource Center in collaboration with the Health Research & Educational Trust. For more information about the Center and its programs, visit the website or contact Brenda Stenger, director, at (312) 422-2017.