The CommUnityCare Board of Directors hired Dr. Jaeson T. Fournier as its next Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Fournier began on June 5. He replaced George Miller who retired from CommUnityCare after three years in February 2017.
“After a long and very competitive selection process, our Board of Directors is confident Jaeson will be an exceptional leader for our growing organization and we warmly welcome him to our CommUnityCare family,” said Christopher Rios, CommUnityCare Board Chair. “Jaeson’s significant executive experience as CEO of Minnesota’s largest Federally Qualified Health Center makes him the ideal person to take over leadership of CommUnityCare Health Centers, which currently serves over 90,000 patients in our 20 clinics.”
Prior to joining CommUnityCare, Dr. Fournier served as the CEO for West Side Community Health Services (WSCHS) in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he was responsible for the daily operations of WSCHS—Minnesota ‘s largest Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). WSCHS is a multi-site, multi-program FQHC organization that operates 17 health center locations. With more than 15 years of experience as an FQHC executive, Dr. Fournier understands the political landscape and advocacy needs of communities that are historically underserved.
Dr. Fournier brings vast financial experience and interpretation of data for the improvement of service delivery, operation efficiency, and effectiveness.
He has also been involved in advocacy within and through the Primary Care Associations (PCA) of each state in which he has worked. While in Michigan, Dr. Fournier served as vice chair and chair of the PCA Board of Directors. For the last five years, he has served as the Government Relations Committee chair for the Minnesota Association of Community Health Centers and, in conjunction with Association staff and colleagues, has helped establish the state FQHC legislative priorities each year.
“I am thrilled to be joining such a great organization,” Dr. Fournier said. “And I am looking forward to partnering with the Board, staff and the community in advancing an integrated system of care that comprehensively meets the needs of those we are so privileged to serve.”
Dr. Fournier holds a Bachelor of Science in Zoology/Biology from the University of Toronto in Ontario, Canada, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology from The National College of Chiropractic in Lombard, Illinois. He earned his Masters of Public Health from the University of Illinois at Chicago and completed his Doctor of Chiropractic with the National College of Chiropractic.