CLEVLEAND, Ohio — Cleveland’s MetroHealth System has named Sharon M. Dougherty as chief financial officer following a nationwide search.
MetroHealth hired Dougherty as vice president of revenue cycle in August — the same month its former chief financial officer, Nancy Fisher, left the system.
Like Mark Moran who joined MetroHealth in March 2008 as interim CEO, Dougherty formerly worked for management consultancy Booz Allen Hamilton. Moran was made permanent president and chief executive of the Cuyahoga County-owned health system in March.
Dougherty was a Booz Allen consultant for MetroHealth before joining the staff, said hospital spokeswoman Susan Christopher.
“Sharon has demonstrated her commitment to the mission of MetroHealth and her ability to rapidly improve our financial situation so that we can sustain the mission for many years to come,” Moran said in a written statement.
With Dr. Edward Hills, Dougherty led a revenue cycle campaign from beginning to end. Their leadership resulted in significant enhancements in revenue, working capital levels, and documentation and coding, MetroHealth said in its statement.
MetroHealth has been restructuring its operations following a loss in 2007, which widened considerably in the first quarter of 2008 before the restructuring began. While under Moran’s leadership, the system ended last year with a strong balance sheet, improved operating performance and an upgraded bond rating from Moody’s Investors Service.
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Dougherty has a 25-year career in health care administration and finance, MetroHealth said. Highlights of her career include CFO positions at George Washington University Medical Center in Washington and Inova Health Systems in Falls Church, Va.
William Reniff, MetroHealth’s vice president of finance, filled the chief financial officer spot on an interim basis during the national search for a permanent replacement.
