Covenant CEO, Spencer Maidlow, Recognized for Hospital Leadership

Three Michigan health care leaders were honored with the 2013 MHA Healthcare Leadership Award, presented by the Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) during the MHA Health Foundation Governance Leadership Forum in Acme, Michigan. 

Each autumn, the MHA honors outstanding individuals who have provided exceptional leadership to healthcare organizations and to the health and well-being of the community. The 2013 recipients of the award include Spencer Maidlow, CEO, Covenant HealthCare; Tim Zwickey, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Baraga County Memorial Hospital; and William Cunningham, DO, Executive Vice President/Systems Development, Metro Health Hospital.

Maidlow’s nominator, Terry Niederstadt, commented, “Spence is one of leading healthcare executives in the state of Michigan and the Midwest.  He has led Covenant HealthCare for over 30 years to become one of the most successful hospitals in our region.”

Since Spencer Maidlow became CEO of Covenant HealthCare more than three decades ago, many changes have occurred. In 1987, Maidlow led St. Luke’s Hospital in the acquisition of Saginaw Osteopathic Hospital and, in 1998, guided the merger of St. Luke’s and Saginaw General hospitals to create Covenant. He continues to lead the hospital into new ventures that include current work to become a Highly Reliable Organization, providing optimal performance in an environment of uncertainty. He recently led the initiation of critically needed service expansions that include multimillion-dollar renovations of the Cancer Care Center and the Emergency Care Center. Alongside Central Michigan University, Maidlow is preparing for the expected future physician shortage by creating the CMU College of Medicine. In addition, the 2-year-old Covenant Medical Group includes 120 providers affiliated with the hospital. Maidlow fosters relationships with area hospital leaders and hosts a healthcare leadership forum that allows productive leader-to-leader discussions. Under his guidance, Covenant actively partners in the multifaceted Saginaw County Community Health Improvement Project to meet the health needs of county citizens. It includes a partnership with Michigan Pathways to Better Health, a grant-funded effort pairing residents with appropriate resources.

Niederstadt acknowledges, “We all should be very proud of Spence and the staff for building an organization that excels in providing excellent healthcare for our community.  Under Spence's leadership and preparation, Covenant will continue to provide great healthcare well into the future.”