Catholic Health Names Hans P. Cassagnol Chief Physician Executive

Jan 28, 2019News & PR

Catholic Health is pleased to announce the appointment of Hans P. Cassagnol, MD, MMM, to the position of Chief Physician Executive. With a distinguished medical career highlighted by achievements in quality and innovation, Dr. Cassagnol most recently served as Vice President of Quality/Chief Quality Officer at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, NY. Prior to that, he served as Associate Chief Quality Officer at Geisinger Health System, in Danville, PA, a national leader and recognized innovator in Population Health Management.

Dr. Cassagnol spent more than 13 years at Geisinger Health System holding several clinical, administrative and academic positions. In addition to serving as Associate Chief Quality Officer, he held positions as Director of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Chairman of the Performance Improvement Committee. He has also held numerous academic appointments, including clinical teaching positons at SUNY Upstate Medical University, Temple University School of Medicine, and Geisinger Commonwealth Medical College.   

An accomplished physician executive, educator and practitioner, Dr. Cassagnol received a Master of Medical Management Degree from the University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business. His postdoctoral training has included advanced coursework through the Dartmouth Quality Institute, Geisinger Health System Physician Leadership Program, Kennedy Institute of Ethics, Malcolm Baldridge Performance Excellence Program and Harvard Business School.

Meet Dr. Hans P. Cassagnol

Born in Brooklyn, NY, and raised in Haiti from age 2 to 13, Dr. Cassagnol developed an interest in medicine at a young age, with his mother, a microbiologist, and his uncle, a cardiologist, as his early role models. He moved to New York to attend high school, where he excelled academically. Determined to pursue a career in medicine, he attended St. John’s University in Queens on a full scholarship. He received his medical degree from the University of Connecticut and completed his residency in Obstetrics & Gynecology at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, an affiliate of Weill Cornell.

Catholic Health conducted a nationwide search to fill this senior leadership position, which will be responsible for medical and clinical care throughout the system, including quality and patient safety; care management; and medical staff recruitment, credentialing and training.

“As we strive to join the ranks of the nation’s leading health systems, while continuing to transform care in our own community; quality, patient safety and innovation go hand-in-hand,” said Mark Sullivan, President & CEO of Catholic Health. “Dr. Cassagnol has a wealth of experience and advanced training in all these areas, along with a genuine passion to serve diverse patient populations. This, coupled with his unique background, from growing up in Haiti to working at one of the most innovative health systems in the country, he will be a tremendous asset for Catholic Health and our entire community.”

Dr. Cassagnol is expected to join Catholic Health in the next month. “A good friend, colleague, and mentor once said to me ‘every system should strive to be locally preferred and national renowned,’” said Dr. Cassagnol. “I believe the team at Catholic Health has the skillset, will, and tools to be exactly that, and I am looking forward to being a part of the team.”