2008-up-and-comers-jonathan-timmis

When Jonathan Timmis started serving St. Vincent Health System in Little Rock, Ark., in May 2005 as vice president in charge of cardiovascular services, he became known as “very personable and genuine,” says colleague J. Lynn Davis, a cardiologist. Davis, who was then chief of staff at St. Vincent, was surprised to find how well Timmis seemed to fit in. “Here in the South, guys from Michigan don’t fit in very well,” Davis says. “For Jon to come down here into Little Rock, to a staff of 500, he fits in very well and is highly respected.” During the time he was vice president of cardiovascular services, one of the projects Timmis says “brings pride” to him was the development of the Jack Stephens Heart Center at St. Vincent, a 115-bed cardiovascular hospital-within-a-hospital that he led and supervised improvements at, as well as the accreditation of the state’s first and only chest pain center. Timmis also took the lead and developed an interventional cardiology partnership with 84-bed Saline Memorial Hospital in Benton, Ark., which allowed patients to be referred to the Jack Stephens Heart Center when they required additional cardiac care. “What has been rewarding so far is being a part of projects that have tangible outcomes,” Timmis says. Timmis, 35, grew up in a family involved in healthcare. With his father being a cardiovascular surgeon and his mother being a pediatric psychiatrist, he leaned toward becoming a doctor, and was interested in attending medical school. He received his bachelor’s of science in biology from Marquette University in Milwaukee, and decided to get his master’s of health services administration in the School of Public Health at the Health Management and Policy Department from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Currently serving as vice president and chief strategy officer for St. Vincent, a 542-bed hospital, since July 2007, Timmis says that one of his biggest challenges is “prioritizing and staying focused.” “While potential partnerships may seem intriguing, you have to be able to step back and see the global impact,” Timmis says. Davis says Timmis has become a success at such a young age because he has “lots of energy, works long hours and keeps positive.” “When we’re doing a project, Jon comes back with just what you’ve asked for and more,” Davis says. Another trait of Timmis that Davis is fond of is the relationship he has with his family. Timmis spends his free time taking part in family activities, such as coaching in the Life Champs youth football league and the Westside YMCA youth soccer program. “Even with all of the obligations with the hospital, he still fits in time with the family,” Davis says. Sponsored By: