Sister Mary Faith McKean, former St. Joseph’s Hospital CEO, dies

Sister Mary Faith McKean, PhD, who led St. Joseph’s Hospital in Savannah, Ga., from 1982 to 1992, died July 6. She was the last Sister of Mercy to serve as the institution’s chief executive, according to a July 8 news release from St. Joseph’s/Candler.

During her decade as CEO, St. Joseph’s underwent substantial clinical and physical growth. The changes cited in the release included construction of a larger day surgery area, the opening of the St. Joseph’s Maternity Center and the addition of a 10-bed coronary care unit. The hospital also expanded its radiology services with a new CT scanner and a cardiac catheterization laboratory.

McKean also helped guide several clinical milestones. Under her leadership, the hospital performed its first double coronary bypass surgery and became the first hospital in the Southeast to offer laser angioplasty. In 1990, she led the effort to build a $7 million expansion of the emergency department.

“Sr. Mary Faith led an extraordinary life in service to God and this community, generously giving of herself to care for her students and co-workers at St. Joseph’s/Candler,” Paul Hinchey, president and CEO of St. Joseph’s/Candler, said in the release. “She put this health system on a path to where it is today and she will be sorely missed.”

Before joining St. Joseph’s, McKean taught at institutions in Maryland, Virginia, Alabama and Georgia. After retiring as CEO on Dec. 31, 1992, she was appointed chancellor of the Diocese of Savannah, a role she held for nine years.

Her obituary said those who knew her remembered that she was able to greet every employee at the hospital by name. Hinchey, who succeeded her as CEO in 1993, later led the 1997 merger that created Savannah-based St. Joseph’s/Candler. Details about services or additional survivors were not reported in the source.