November 12, 2003
Genesis Names V.P. Of Corporate Communications
Davenport, IA - Genesis Health System announced today that it has named Kenneth R. Croken as Vice President of Corporate Communications and Marketing.
Croken, who began his duties November 3, comes to Genesis with more than 20 years of strategic marketing and communications experience in the consumer, technology, entertainment, non-profit, professional services and political arenas. Previously, Croken served as senior vice president with Edelman Public Relations Worldwide in New York City, the world's largest independent public relations agency. At Edelman, Croken managed industry-leading technology and consumer tech national accounts, including Fujifilm.
"Having spent his career outside the health care industry, I believe Ken will bring unique experience and perspective to our organization," said Leo Bressanelli, President and CEO of Genesis Health System. "His selection is the result of a nationwide search for an accomplished professional who will raise our organization's strong profile, involvement and value throughout the Quad Cities region. This new position will be instrumental in bringing focus to our strategic communications and marketing initiatives."
"Genesis enjoys a national reputation for excellence and this assignment represents a new and exciting opportunity for me," Croken said. "The mission of this organization is to provide compassionate, quality health services to all those in need. This mission is easy to embrace and reflects the commitment and quality of the people of Genesis. I look forward to joining the team and being part of the Quad City region's very own health system."
Prior to his work with Edelman, Croken was vice president of Corporate Communications for Norstan Corporation in the Twin Cities. During a 13-year career with IBM Corporation, he also managed communications and marketing programs of increasing magnitude, concluding as public relations manager for the company's Global Government Marketing organization in the Washington, DC area. Croken also served as a Capitol Hill press secretary and as the public information officer for Save the Children Federation. He also is a member of the District of Columbia Bar Association.
He will be joined in the Quad Cities by his wife, Kathryn, a pediatric nurse practitioner. The couple has two children - Anne, a senior in high school, and Matthew, a college student.
Genesis Health System and its affiliates offer a full continuum of care, including preventive, primary, acute and tertiary hospital care; home health; hospice; rehabilitation; and long-term care. Its affiliates include Genesis Medical Center, Illini Hospital, DeWitt Community Hospital, Genesis Medical Education Foundation, Visiting Nurse Association and GenVentures Inc. Serving a 10-county area of eastern Iowa and western Illinois, the Health System also operates Genesis Health Group and Genesis Behavioral Resources. For more information, visit our Web site at www.genesishealth.com.
