SSM Health announces new hospital president at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital

ST. LOUIS, MO - Hossain Marandi, MD, MBA, FACHE, has joined SSM Health as President, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital and the System Vice President, Pediatric Service Line.

hossain marandi, md

Dr. Marandi is an exceptional leader that will focus on providing oversight of the operational and clinical activities at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, including ambulatory and outpatient services. As part of an expanded president role, he will create and lead the strategic direction for all pediatric services within the SSM Health system. SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital has been recognized as a 2023 – 2024 Best Children’s Hospital by U.S. News & World Report and ranked nationally in 5 clinical categories-Cardiology & Heart Surgery,Cancer, Gastroenterology & GI Surgery, Nephrology and Neonatology.

Dr. Marandi recently served as the President and Department Chief of Pediatrics at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI, where he guided the daily operations of the hospital and affiliated medical group and led the hospital through the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. Under his leadership, the hospital was recognized as one of the top children’s hospitals in the United States and ranked in multiple specialties by U.S. News & World Report for 11 years in a row. Dr. Marandi created the vision and led the efforts to build Michigan’s first pediatric medical/psychiatric unit and developed vital collaborations with both Pine Rest Mental Health Services and Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. Dr. Marandi also guided the launch of a pediatric heart transplant program in December 2022. He has previously held the positions of President and CEO of Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis, IN and Vice President of Physician Services and Executive Medical Director at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital in Tampa, FL.

"Dr. Marandi brings incredible knowledge and experience that will immediately benefit children and their families in the St. Louis area and surrounding communities,” said Jeremy Fotheringham,Regional President - St. Louis & Academics, SSM Health. “He is a skilled pediatrician and his clinical background, combined with his health care leadership experience, will help us grow the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital mission that began nearly 70 years ago on a foundation of serving our most vulnerable and under-served pediatric populations.”

SSM Health also announces the promotion of Michelle Romano, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, to an expanded, dual role as the Chief Operating and Chief Nursing Officer for SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.

michellle romano

Romano began her career with SSM Health in 2000 as a Clinical Care Partner/Staff Nurse. She has held vast nursing and operational leadership roles and most recently was promoted to Chief Nursing Officer in 2020. Romano will continue to lead the quality, patient safety and employee engagement efforts for the ministry and will partner with other members of the leadership team in expanding the mission of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital both locally and regionally.

“I am excited to appoint a colleague with the degree of distinguished experience and insight that Michelle possesses,” said Fotheringham. “Michelle is a forward-thinking nursing leader who is dedicated to the mission of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, and she is the ideal person for this expanded, joint role.”

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