Jefferson Health named Dr. Joseph Cacchione as the CEO of Jefferson Health and Thomas Jefferson University, effective Sept. 6, the not-for-profit Philadelphia-based health system said Monday.

Cacchione is the executive vice president of clinical and network services for Ascension Health, a $28 billion not-for-profit health system with 145 hospitals across 19 states and the District of Columbia.

Jefferson’s previous CEO, Dr. Stephen Klasko, retired Dec. 31 after an eight-year tenure. Emeritus Board Trustee H. Richard Haverstick has served as as interim CEO since Jan. 1.

“The board was laser-focused on finding a leader who would be committed to our mission of ‘improving lives’ by prioritizing innovation, partnerships, and reducing racial, ethnic, health and socioeconomic disparities,” Jefferson’s Board Chair Patricia Wellenbach said in a news release. “With Dr. Cacchione, we’ve found the visionary and operational leader we need to reach new heights in healthcare, research and higher education.”

Prior to his systemwide role at Ascension, Cacchione was the CEO of Ascension Michigan. He also spent eight years at Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Richard Fogel, chief clinical officer for clinical and network services at Ascension, will replace Cacchione, Ascension said.

Jefferson Health reported $5.9 million of operating income on $5.67 billion of operating revenue in 2021. That compared with a $459.4 million operating loss on $5.27 billion of operating revenue in 2020.

The 18-hospital system received more than $438 million in COVID-19 relief grants in 2020 and 2021.