CHRISTUS Health announces Kazanjian appointment to EVP, chief mission integration officer

CHRISTUS Health, an international not-for-profit Catholic health system, announced today the appointment of Steve Kazanjian as executive vice president and chief mission integration officer, effective June 30.

Kazanjian has served as vice president, mission integration at CHRISTUS Spohn Health System in Corpus Christi, Texas, since 2016. In his new role, he will lead ethics and spirituality for the entire health system, which are foundational to the mission and work of CHRISTUS Health.

After working on the frontlines of CHRISTUS and many other Catholic health organizations, Kazanjian is “well versed in what it means to be a Catholic health care provider and who and how we are called to serve,” said Ernie Sadau, CHRISTUS Health president and chief executive officer.

“It was deeply important to me that we find an individual who actively seeks out the underserved and identifies every way to care for the whole person,” Sadau said. “At CHRISTUS, we aren’t just providing health care, we are extending the healing ministry of Jesus Christ, which goes far beyond physical well-being and care.”

Kazanjian replaces Gerry Heeley, who is retiring from the health system after 16 years. Heeley’s legacy includes leading the mission integration of CHRISTUS Health during a time of expansive growth, from caring for 1.8 million people to now over 7 million in the United States and Latin America.

Prior to CHRISTUS, Kazanjian served in leadership roles at other Catholic health organizations including Bon Secours Health System in New York, Holy Redeemer Health System in New Jersey and Lansdale Catholic High School and St. Joseph Parish, both in Pennsylvania. He holds a master of divinity degree and master’s degrees in ethics and pastoral theology.