The Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph, which has a long history and significant presence in Wichita, has named and are pleased to welcome Denise Gannon as Chief Executive Officer of CSJ Initiatives, our senior care and property management division based in Wichita.
Denise joins us with over 20 years experience in clinical and operational healthcare and elder care, most recently serving as Vice President of Post-Acute Services for Genacross Lutheran Services in Toledo, Ohio.
“I am truly looking forward to joining this dynamic organization and to lead the Sister’s senior care efforts,” said Denise. “My combined expertise in clinical and operational leadership allows me to offer a smart, broad-based perspective to a growing health care organization.”
Denise attended Bowling Green State University and Cuyahoga Community College in Ohio, where she earned a nursing degree. She is an Alumni of LeadingAge Leadership Academy, and helped design, and later became a coach for, the LeadingAge Ohio Leadership Academy. She worked for Eliza Jennings Senior Care Network Nursing Home in Cleveland, Ohio, from 1996 – 2003, where she worked her way from Registered Nurse to Director of Nursing. In 2004, she moved to their corporate office where she held several senior leadership positions including Chief Operating Officer/ Vice President of Operations, a position she held until 2016. During her time at Eliza Jennings, Denise balanced clinical and operational leadership while also introducing original programs including clinics, a nurse practitioner house call program, an adult day care program and dementia program.
In her most recent position as Vice President of Post-Acute Services for Genacross Lutheran Services, she directed post-acute services including independent living, acute rehabilitation, long-term care, assisted living, outpatient services and home health.
“Denise is an outstanding addition to the CSJ Initiatives team, and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to us,” said Sister Marguerite O’Brien, Interim Director of CSJ Initiatives. “We are confident she will lead our senior care efforts with vision, compassion, and integrity, taking care to honor the uniqueness of every person under our care.”
CSJ Initiatives has established a model of care called Relationship Centered Living, which integrates the needs and values of those receiving care, honors individual preferences, and works to create a homelike environment.
“I have brought a person-centered approach to my work in providing health care for older adults my entire career,” said Denise, “I’m excited to merge my experience with the innovative care model of CSJ Initiatives and the Congregation of St. Joseph.”
Denise assumed her role with CSJ Initiatives on October 29, 2018.
CSJ Initiatives was created to assist in the management and development of independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing facilities to address the health care needs of the Congregation of St. Joseph’s aging sisters and others.Through the unique lens and culture of religious life, CSJ Initiatives offers expertise in life enriching housing opportunities, compassionate health and wellness care and responsible care for congregational properties. CSJ Initiatives currently owns or manages eight centers located in six states. By providing expertise in caring for elders, CSJ Initiatives has established a dynamic model of life giving care. To learn more, visit www.csjinitiatives.org.
The Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph is a religious community of over 500 vowed Catholic women and 500 lay associates who live and minister in the U.S. and around the world. In addition to senior care, we sponsor over 30 ministries including three Catholic high schools; tutoring and literacy programs; spirituality centers; social service programs; spiritual direction; and pastoral assistance. We work in and support numerous justice and peace initiatives, standing with and for all who are oppressed and marginalized. The Congregation of St. Joseph has centers or a significant presence in the following areas: Cleveland and Cincinnati, Oh.; Detroit and Kalamazoo, Mich.; La Grange Park and Chicago, Ill.; New Orleans and Baton Rouge, La.; Crookston and the Twin Cities, Minn.; Tipton, Ind.; Wheeling, W. Va.; Wichita, Kan.; and Kyoto and Matsusaka, Japan. To learn more, visit us at www.csjoseph.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
