Corewell Health System

Spectrum Health Announces Executive Leadership Transitions

New Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Human Resources Officer Named

Spectrum Health is pleased to announce leadership transitions for two of its senior executives. They assumed their new responsibilities on January 10, 2016.

Roger Jansen, PhD, has accepted the position of senior vice president for business development and chief strategy officer for the organization. In this role, he will identify growth opportunities for Spectrum Health and assist in developing a long-range strategic direction for the Spectrum Health System.

“Because the landscape in health care is rapidly changing, new thinking and approaches are key. Spectrum Health will be prepared to offer new products, services and support to meet the needs of the communities we serve,” Jansen said. “In addition to being there for our patients when they feel ill or have an injury, we will use our knowledge and skills to help capitalize on good health and curtail the chances of getting sick to begin with.”

Jansen has been Spectrum Health’s chief human resources officer since 2011 and added the role of senior vice president of strategy to his duties in 2014. In these roles, he successfully implemented human resource initiatives for Spectrum Health Medical Group, Spectrum Health Hospital Group and Priority Health.

Prior to joining Spectrum Health, Jansen served as CEO of ThinkWise, Inc., an organizational learning, consulting and technology company. His knowledge and insight also comes from his experiences in previous positions as a corporate psychologist, psychological consultant, clinical psychologist and founder of a software company. Jansen earned his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University and a master’s and doctorate in psychology from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Pamela Ries has accepted the position of senior vice president and chief human resources officer. She will lead talent strategies, initiate new approaches to support both short-term and long-term business objectives and oversee human resources functions throughout Spectrum Health.

“Spectrum has advanced its human resources practices by cultivating partnerships with business development, business operations, technology and other areas,” Ries said. “If we focus on these strategies and plan well for the future, all while keeping the fundamentals in check, we can improve the health of the communities we serve today and into the future.”

Ries has held several leadership positions in human resources since she joined Spectrum Health in 2001, serving most recently as vice president of total value and vice president of human resources. She has nearly 30 years of experience in business administration and human resources in various industries, including health care, insurance, financial services, education and public transportation. Ries earned her undergraduate degree from Grace College and has completed graduate coursework in business administration and human resource management.

Spectrum Health is a not-for-profit health system, based in West Michigan, offering a full continuum of care through the Spectrum Health Hospital Group, which is comprised of 12 hospitals, including Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital; 183 ambulatory and service sites; more than 3,400 physicians and advanced practice providers, including nearly 1,400 members of the Spectrum Health Medical Group; and Priority Health, a health plan with about 658,000 members. Spectrum Health is West Michigan’s largest employer, with 23,800 employees. The organization provided $283 million in community benefit during its 2015 fiscal year. Spectrum Health is the only health system in Michigan to be named one of the nation’s 15 Top Health Systems® by Truven Health Analytics for 2015. This is the fourth time the organization has received this recognition.