Dennis Rusch will join City of Hope as chief financial officer (CFO) on Aug. 27. A senior executive with extensive experience, Rusch will oversee City of Hope’s financial operations.
From 1999 to 2005, Rusch served as CFO and vice president of finance at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, where he directed the financial department, patient financial services, materials management and managed care contracting. Most recently, he was with South Texas Health System, where he was area/group CFO, overseeing the financial operations of five hospitals.
“We are pleased that Dennis Rusch will be joining us,” said Virginia Opipare, executive vice president and chief operating officer. “His vast experience at academic cancer centers will allow him to make significant contributions to City of Hope.”
Rusch is excited about the move. “I am looking forward to leading City of Hope’s financial operations,” he said. “This is an organization that has positively impacted the lives of many people through research and patient care. I am looking forward to contributing to the institution.”
Before joining Roswell, Rusch was CFO at Scott & White Memorial Hospital in Texas and CFO of University Hospitals of Cleveland, where he implemented a health information services reorganization and oversaw the purchase of three community hospitals.
With previous career posts in law enforcement, city administration and financial services auditing, Rusch brings a wealth of experience to his new position. He is a member of the Healthcare Financial Management Association, a member of the VHA Product Services Advisory Committee, and a charter member of the Advisory Board Financial Leadership Group. Rusch received his Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.
Rusch’s predecessor, Terry Blackwood, took a medical leave of absence late last year from his position as chief financial officer and has since resigned the CFO position. “We recognize Terry’s many contributions and thank him for his leadership and service to City of Hope,” Opipare said. “We also appreciate Peter Foulke’s assistance the past few months as interim CFO.”
