Saratoga Hospital Names Jill Johnson VanKuren of Maryland Health System as Next President and CEO

Jill Johnson VanKuren, of MedStar Health System in Maryland, has been named president and CEO of Saratoga Hospital, a member of the Albany Med Health System. She starts September 19.

Saratoga Hospital Board of Trustees Chairperson Michael J. Toohey announced VanKuren’s appointment today, citing her 17 years of experience with the largest integrated health care system in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area. Most recently, VanKuren served as senior vice president of operations and chief operating officer at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center, one of 10 MedStar hospitals.

“From her first interview, Jill impressed us with her understanding of the vital role of a community hospital in a larger health system,” Toohey said. “She shares our commitment to maintaining Saratoga Hospital’s reputation for exceptional quality and personal attention while bringing the benefits of the Albany Med Health System to our patients and community.”

VanKuren succeeds Angelo Calbone, who will retire in August after 16 years of significant investment in programs, facilities and talent. He is credited with leading the transformation of the hospital and health care in the Saratoga region.

“I have a deep respect for the community and the culture that the people of Saratoga Hospital have built over the years,” VanKuren said. “I look forward to building on that strong foundation as we evolve to support the future needs of the community. I am honored to have been selected to lead this team.”

At MedStar, VanKuren held leadership positions at both the corporate and hospital levels for a system with more than 300 care locations and 31,000 employees. As an assistant vice president with MedStar corporate strategic planning, she developed system service lines and business models. As senior vice president and chief operating officer at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center, she oversaw and aligned operations at one of the largest teaching hospitals in the Baltimore area.

“Jill has invaluable experience capitalizing on the strengths of a health system to serve local communities,” said Dennis P. McKenna, MD, president and CEO of the Albany Med Health System. “Patients of Saratoga Hospital will benefit from her expertise as we reinforce northeastern New York’s largest and only regionally governed health system and ensure access to its broad range of services.”

A graduate of East Carolina University in North Carolina, VanKuren earned a Master of Business Administration, with a specialization in health care administration, from Loyola University Maryland. She is board certified in health care management by the American College of Healthcare Executives.

VanKuren is a member of the advisory board of Women in Healthcare. She also has served on the behavioral health advisory group of the Maryland Hospital Association and on the board of the National Alliance for Mental Illness Metropolitan Baltimore.