Sisters of Charity Providence Hospitals Names New Vice President of Marketing & Business Development

February 18, 2008

COLUMBIA, SC – February 18, 2008 – Sisters of Charity Providence Hospitals recently named John Kessler vice president of marketing and business development.  His responsibilities will include strategic planning, marketing, certificate of need, public relations and communications, as well as community and government relations. 

Kessler comes to Providence with extensive experience in health care. He previously served as vice president of consulting at The Strategy Group in Norfolk, VA.  Prior to his health care consulting, John served as Vice President of planning and business development for the Saint Raphael Healthcare System, an integrated health system in New Haven, CT.  Prior to this, Kessler served as vice president of marketing for ViaHealth, a network of teaching hospitals and senior services in Rochester, NY.  He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics from Michigan State University.  Kessler completed the Health Policy and Management Program at Harvard University and the executive development program in marketing at the University of Chicago.

Kessler is a founding board member and the past chair of the Academy for Health Services Marketing.  He is also a past member of the board of directors of the American Marketing Association, and a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Originally from Cuyahoga Falls, OH, Kessler is enthusiastic about his new position and the opportunity that awaits him.  Kessler indicated that he is excited to help the senior leadership grow Providence Heart Institute and Providence Orthopaedic & Neuro Spine Institute.

A native of Cuyahoga Falls, OH, Kessler enjoys sailing and photography.  He and his wife Mary, a development executive, are currently looking for a home in Columbia.  They have three children, Rory, Kate and Sarah Jane. 


Owned by the Sisters of Charity Health System, Sisters of Charity Providence Hospitals is known statewide for its compassionate care.   Our non-profit organization is licensed for 304 beds and is comprised of four entities: Providence Hospital, Providence Heart Institute, Providence Hospital Northeast and Providence Orthopaedic & Neuro Spine Institute. A faith-based health care facility in the Midlands area of South Carolina, Providence employs more than 1,900 caring individuals.

Providence Hospital, located in downtown Columbia, was founded by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Augustine in 1938. The facility is best known for the expertise in cardiac care it provides through Providence Heart Institute, which is recognized statewide as a referral center for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease.

Providence Hospital Northeast was established in 1999 and offers a range of medical services in surgery, emergency care, women’s and children’s services and rehabilitation.  Providence Northeast is home to Providence Orthopaedic & Neuro Spine Institute, which provides medical and surgical treatment of diseases and injuries of the bones, joints and spine.