LANSING, MI – Sparrow Health System and President and CEO James Dover, who oversaw Sparrow’s much-praised work during the pandemic and its agreement to become part of University of Michigan Health, are announcing Dover’s departure from the system, effective Sept. 15, 2023.

Dover said the time is right for his departure now that Sparrow has assured its future by partnering with U-M Health in continuing to provide the highest quality of care to the community. In an era of uncertainty in healthcare, he said it was important to stabilize Sparrow’s finances and bring an air of permanency to the health system before contemplating leaving.

“Working with this team of world-class caregivers, physicians and leadership is one of the proudest moments of my career,” Dover said. “I am thrilled for its future as a part of University of Michigan Health.”

After a long career in healthcare leadership, Dover joined Sparrow in June 2019. According to John Pirich, Sparrow Health System Board Chair, “Jim led the team through the pandemic, one of the most challenging times in our history, and received national recognition for innovative care. Throughout his tenure, Jim’s passion around quality was one of the reasons Sparrow has achieved among the highest percentiles in the country on key patient care indicators. 

 “He ensured not only that the system provided the highest quality care to the Lansing community through the crisis, but that it will continue to provide that care for years to come through our new partnership with the University of Michigan Health. We are grateful for his service.”

Pirich noted that Dover was instrumental in developing the partnership with U-M Health, official on April 1, 2023, with the goal of establishing Michigan’s premier statewide system of care. “We are grateful to Jim for his leadership in stabilizing Sparrow’s finances and bringing long-term viability to the health system through joining U-M Health.”

“Jim has been an incredible partner in our efforts to build one team and will be greatly missed. His vision was instrumental to bringing our systems together and laying the foundation to bringing increased healthcare innovation to Mid-Michigan and beyond. We are grateful for Jim’s leadership and are hopeful and excited for the next chapter of University of Michigan Health-Sparrow,” said Marschall S. Runge, M.D., Ph.D., CEO of Michigan Medicine, Dean of the University of Michigan Medical School and Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs at the University of Michigan.

To learn more about Sparrow and University of Michigan Health, go to Sparrow.org/NewChapter.

Sparrow Health System is Mid-Michigan’s premier healthcare organization and includes hospitals in Lansing, Carson City, Charlotte, Ionia, and St. Johns, as well as Sparrow Specialty Hospital, Physicians Health Plan, Sparrow Care Network, Sparrow Medical Group, and the Michigan Athletic Club. Sparrow is affiliated with Michigan Medicine through the Sparrow Children’s Center and with Michigan State University’s three human health colleges. Through these partnerships and the dedication of our 10,000 caregivers, Sparrow pursues a vision to be nationally recognized as a leader in quality and patient experience. For more information, visit Sparrow.org.

Photos courtesy of Sparrow Health System