Jeff A. Nelson, President and Chief Executive Officer
Jeff A. Nelson has 30 years of experience leading complex organizations including health systems, health plans and technology companies. He is nationally regarded for expertise in accelerating improvements in leadership teams and executing strategic plans.
Mr. Nelson holds a Master of Hospital Administration from the University of Iowa and a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from the University of Minnesota Duluth. Certified as a Six Sigma Green Belt, he is a frequent speaker on health care and change management.
His professional experience includes transforming hospitals and health systems in California, Texas, Washington and the U.S. Virgin Islands. He has also led and supported the transformation of Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) and Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs) in Washington, New York, Maryland and Minnesota.
Mr. Nelson was most recently CEO at Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center on the U.S. Virgin Island of St. Croix. Prior to that he was a partner with Tatum, LCC, leading the firm's national practice on healthcare transformations. While working at Tatum, Mr. Nelson was CEO at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center, during which time the hospital earned a top 10 ranking nationwide for patient care quality in stroke care, general surgery and obstetrics. He has also served as CEO and COO for Empire Health Services, and from 2001-2004 he was Executive Director for the hospital-payer contracting unit of a four hospital system.
In addition to reporting to multiple governing boards over his career, Mr. Nelson's governance memberships include:
- University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth, MN, Labovitz School of Business and Economics Health Care Advisory Council, member (2012-current)
- Memorial Blood Centers, St. Paul, MN, Director, Finance and Quality Committee member (2010-2012)
- University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, University of Minnesota Board of Regents, student representative (1974-1976)
