FAMU alumnus Kenneth Jones has been appointed chief
executive officer of St. Joseph Hospital in Fort Wayne, Ind. His official start
date was July 28.
“Kenneth’s experience as a leader in both hospital and
physician practice settings lends itself well to the opportunities he’ll
encounter running a facility located in an area that’s expected to receive an
influx of new residents in the very near future,” said Brian Bauer, chief
executive officer, Lutheran Health Network. “His perspective as an
administrator, husband, and father of two young children will be important to a
growing hospital in a revitalized downtown.”
Previously, Jones served as the CEO of The Orthopedic
Hospital in Fort Wayne and the CEO of Heekin Orthopedic Specialists in
Jacksonville, Fla. He also served in administrative and leadership positions at
hospitals in Florida and Georgia, where he was responsible for overseeing
multiple areas, including neurosciences, surgical services, orthopedics and
ambulatory care. At the beginning of his professional career, Jones was
administrator of the ambulatory surgery center at Duke University Hospital,
where he was also part of the administrative fellowship program.
“FAMU prepared me to go to graduate school, and I was
prepared for the GRE and GMAT, even though I didn’t come from the business
side,” said Jones. “STEM provides the foundation for a lot of opportunities.
That’s one of the areas that I push when talking at student open houses and
career day events. Preparing kids for STEM is the way of the future.”
Jones received a bachelor’s degree in biology from FAMU in
2000. He earned a master’s degree in healthcare administration and a master’s
degree in business administration from the University of Minnesota in
2003. Jones’ professional development
and community involvement includes earning a Six Sigma Green Belt certification,
being a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and board membership with Big
Brothers Big Sisters, Science Central, Turnstone and Fort Wayne Urban League.
Jones and his wife, Hope, are the parents of two sons,
Kenneth Preston Jones II and Cooper.