Spectrum Health Says Farewell to an Exceptional Friend

John MacKeigan, MD, former Spectrum Health executive dies of cancer

Dr. John MacKeigan, former executive vice president and chief medical officer for Spectrum Health, died Sunday night after a short battle with cancer.

John held many leadership positions locally, regionally and nationally. In 2013, the Michigan Health & Hospital Association presented him with their Special Recognition Award for his many contributions to his profession and for his service to the Michigan health care community.

“He will be greatly missed by all,” said Richard C. Breon, President & CEO, Spectrum Health. “Anyone who had the privilege of knowing Johnny will remember his kindness, wit and passion for all things medical.”

In a professional career that spanned more than three decades, John served as chair of the board and chief medical officer for mmpc® at a time when it was West Michigan’s largest multispecialty physician group. He was president of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, a previous American Medical Association delegate, and past president of the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery. Other roles included associate clinical professor of surgery at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine and chair of the Michigan State Medical Society Board of Directors. He was also president of the Michigan State Medical Society and received the Presidential Award for service from the Michigan State Medical Society. In addition, he was chairman of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association Task Force on Hospital-Physician Alignment and a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. He authored or co-authored nearly 50 publications. Dr. MacKeigan was inducted into the Grand Rapids Medical Hall of Fame in 2005 – a greatly deserved honor.

John spent his final days at his home on Lake Michigan, surrounded by his family including his wife Suzie, daughter Sara, sons Jeff and Dan and their families. Our thoughts and prayers are with Johnny’s wife and family. As treasured as his career was to him, Johnny considered them his greatest legacy.

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 11 hospitals including Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital; 170 ambulatory and service sites; 1,080 employed physicians and advanced practice providers including members of the Spectrum Health Medical Group; and Priority Health, a 575,000-member health plan. Spectrum Health is West Michigan’s largest employer with 21,400 employees. The organization provided $250 million in community benefit during its 2013 fiscal year. In 2014, Spectrum Health was named one of the nation’s 15 Top Health Systems® by Truven Health Analytics.