For Immediate Release

Contact:

Bobby Maldonado

248-858-6662

Bobby.Maldonado@stjoeshealth.org

December 3, 2018

CANTON, Mich. (Dec. 5, 2018) – Saint Joseph Mercy Health System announced the appointment of David Ripple to vice president of Development, effective December 1, 2018. In his new role, Ripple has assumed executive leadership over the design and implementation of strategic fundraising initiatives which support the health system's five southeast Michigan hospitals, six urgent care facilities, and more than 25 specialty centers.

"We are excited to have a proven fundraiser join our executive team," said Rob Casalou, president and CEO of Mercy Health and Saint Joseph Mercy Health System. "David's experience developing large, sustainable fundraising programs will be instrumental as we continue our mission of being a compassionate and transforming healing presence in the communities we serve."

Throughout his 25-year career in philanthropy, Ripple has focused his expertise on fundraising, team building and strategic partnerships. For the past three years he has served as president of The Remington Group, a leader in philanthropy consulting, helping regional and national non-profits develop sustainable fundraising programs to fulfill their missions.

As Vice President for Development at The Ohio State University, Ripple led the fundraising staff for a portion of the $3 billion But for Ohio State campaign, partnering with the university's academic leaders and development teams and collaborating with key volunteer leaders to increase support for the university. He helped lead Ohio State to its second largest fundraising year in the university's history in 2014-15 as friends and alumni gave a total of $405.5 million. Prior to that, Ripple served as Wayne State University's vice president of Development and Alumni Affairs, where he led the successful conclusion of their first-ever comprehensive campaign, Wayne First, raising $500 million.

Ripple was director of Major Gifts in Saint Joseph Mercy Health System's Office of Development from 2000 - 2002. During this time, he partnered with executives, physicians, development staff and volunteer leaders to engage the community in support of St. Joe's, including St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor's successful Campaign for Women's Health.

Ripple has provided counsel through CCS Fund Raising, directed development work at the American Red Cross and Angela Hospice, and served as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Madonna University. He earned his master's degree in English from Eastern Michigan University, and dual bachelor's degrees in Journalism and Public Relations from Madonna University.

# # #

About Saint Joseph Mercy Health System

Saint Joseph Mercy Health System (SJMHS) is a health care organization serving seven counties in southeast Michigan including Livingston, Washtenaw, Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Jackson, and Lenawee. It includes 537-bed St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor, 443-bed St. Joseph Mercy Oakland in Pontiac, 304-bed St. Mary Mercy Livonia, 136-bed St. Joseph Mercy Livingston in Howell, and 133-bed St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea. Combined, the five hospitals are licensed for 1,553 beds, have five outpatient health centers, six urgent care facilities, more than 25 specialty centers; employ more than 15,300 individuals and have a medical staff of nearly 2,700 physicians. SJMHS has annual operating revenues of about $2 billion and returns about $115 million to its communities annually through charity care and community benefit programs.

SJMHS is a member of Trinity Health, a leading Catholic health care system based in Livonia, Mich. Trinity Health operates in 22 states, employs about 133,000 colleagues, has annual operating revenues of $17.6 billion and assets of about $24.7 billion. Additionally, the organization returns almost $1.1 billion to its communities annually in the form of charity care and other community benefit programs.

For more information on health services offered at Saint Joseph Mercy Health System, please visit www.stjoeshealth.org.