News Summary
Dr. Josh Kooistra has been appointed as the new president of Corewell Health in West Michigan, succeeding Dr. Alejandro Quiroga. Kooistra has over twenty years of experience as an emergency physician and has served in various leadership roles at Corewell, including interim president. His extensive background and strong relationships with healthcare teams and communities will guide the organization in providing high-quality patient care across a wide region.
Grand Rapids, Michigan – Dr. Josh Kooistra has been appointed as the new president of Corewell Health in West Michigan. He had previously served as senior vice president and chief medical officer at Corewell and has acted as interim president since December 2024.
Bringing over twenty years of experience as an emergency physician and fifteen years in healthcare executive leadership, Kooistra steps into this pivotal role following the departure of Dr. Alejandro Quiroga. Quiroga left Corewell Health in December 2024 to accept a position at Children’s Mercy Kansas City after serving as president since May 2023.
Chad Tuttle, chief operating officer of Corewell Health, commended Kooistra for his deep understanding of frontline healthcare and his strong connections with both teams and the communities they serve. His leadership is expected to guide Corewell Health’s operations across a vast 18-county region that stretches from Allegan County to Mason County, including Marquette County in the Upper Peninsula.
Experience and Education
Dr. Kooistra has dedicated 23 years of his career to Corewell Health, gaining extensive experience in various medical and leadership roles. He earned his medical degree from Michigan State University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine and holds an undergraduate degree from Hope College. Additionally, he completed his residency in emergency medicine at Spectrum Health and Michigan State University.
In addition to his responsibilities at Corewell, Kooistra is an associate dean for MSU’s College of Human Medicine. He also serves as president of the Jason Kinzler Family Foundation, an organization that provides financial assistance to families who have lost a primary caregiver.
Corewell Health Overview
Corewell Health was established in 2022 through the merger of Spectrum Health and Beaumont Health. Currently, the health system employs over 65,000 staff members, including more than 12,000 physicians and 16,000 nurses. Corewell operates 21 hospitals and over 300 outpatient locations throughout Michigan.
In the West Michigan region alone, Corewell Health manages ten hospitals and employs more than 22,000 personnel, comprising over 3,800 physicians and advanced practice providers. The health system also owns Priority Health, which serves over 1.3 million people across Michigan.
Conclusion
Dr. Josh Kooistra’s extensive experience and dedication to healthcare will be pivotal in leading Corewell Health in its mission to provide high-quality patient care to the communities in West Michigan. His commitment to understanding frontline healthcare needs and fostering strong community connections positions him well to address the ongoing challenges in the healthcare industry.
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Additional Resources
- MLive: Corewell Health Names New Regional President
- Wikipedia: Corewell Health
- WZZM13: New Program Aims to Help People with High Blood Pressure Manage Condition from Home
- Google Search: High Blood Pressure Management
- Crain’s Grand Rapids: Trio of Corewell Hospitals in West Michigan Earn Top Grades in Latest Safety Report
- Google Scholar: Hospital Safety Grades
- Freep: Transgender Minors in Michigan
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Transgender Healthcare
