St. Vincent Charity Medical Center hires ex-Cleveland Clinic exec as president

A former member of the Cleveland Clinic “Millionaire’s Club” has been appointed the new president of St. Vincent Charity Medical Center.

Dr. David Perse, who made $1 million in 2009 as president of the Clinic’s Lutheran Hospital, will begin his new role April 15, according to a statement from Cleveland-based St. Vincent.

Perse’s charge will be to collaborate with medical staff and caregivers to ensure that healthcare services are delivered in a way consistent with the faith-based mission, vision and values of the Sisters of Charity Health System, which includes St. Vincent.

“Dr. Perse shares our commitment to the urban neighborhoods of Cleveland and has dedicated his professional career to combining clinical excellence with human compassion,” said Melvin Pye Jr., chairman of St. Vincent’s board.

Last year, Sisters of Charity regained sole ownership of St. Vincent in Cleveland and Mercy Medical Center in Canton, after sharing 50 percent ownership of the two hospitals with Cleveland’s University Hospitals under joint-venture agreements struck in 1999. St. John Medical Center in Westlake remains a joint venture of Sisters of Charity and UH.