Marriottsville, Md. and Suffolk, Va. - Bon Secours Health System, Inc. (BSHSI) is bringing together its health systems in Hampton Roads and Richmond to create the fourth largest health care system in Virginia and the first faith-based statewide Integrated Health Care Delivery Network in Virginia.  This model will serve as a national example for Catholic health care.

• Michael Kerner, the current executive vice president/administrator of Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital in Richmond, will become CEO for Bon Secours Hampton Roads.  Kerner has led the successful expansion and growth of St. Mary’s for half of a decade and has over 25 years of experience in health care leadership. 
  
  
• Peter J. Bernard, senior vice president of BSHSI and CEO of Bon Secours Richmond Health System, will become senior vice president and CEO of Bon Secours Health System in Virginia.  He will continue to report to Donald E. Strange, BSHSI’s chief operating officer, and will serve as a member of the national health system’s executive management team.

“This integration reflects a stronger commitment to Hampton Roads and Virginia and will result in improved clinical care, secured choice in provider, greater access to health care services and more opportunities for growth for our wonderful staff,” said Michael Kerner, newly named CEO of Bon Secours Hampton Roads.  “We are continuing in the COPN process and I look forward to actively participating in seeking state approval for our proposals. We have requested that the Eastern Virginia Health Systems Agency briefly delay its public hearing on our proposals to allow time for me to be thoroughly assimilated into the process.” The public hearing will be rescheduled for early August.