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BWH mourns the loss of Jim Mongan, MD, who served as president and CEO of Partners HealthCare from 2003 to 2009. Dr. Mongan, whom colleagues describe as a loving husband, a devoted father and a brilliant and compassionate leader, died May 3 at the age of 69.
“As we reflect on his life dedicated to public service, let us remember Jim for the many ways he touched our lives and the lives of our neighbors and our communities, across the Commonwealth and around the globe,” said Gary L. Gottlieb, MD, president and CEO of Partners HealthCare, in a statement issued to the Partners HealthCare community. “His humble demeanor could never hide his deep passion to continually improve the care we provide our patients and their families.”
Born in San Francisco, Dr. Mongan earned a bachelor’s degree and a medical degree from Stanford University. After graduating from medical school in 1967, he served for two years as a medical officer in Denver with the U.S. Public Health Service. In 1970, he moved to Washington, D.C., where he served on the staff of the Senate Finance Committee, focusing on Medicare, Medicaid and national health care proposals. Dr. Mongan later joined the Carter administration, working in the Department of Health, Education and Welfare as deputy assistant secretary for health policy and special assistant to the secretary for developing a national health plan. Beginning in 1979, he served as assistant surgeon general and associate director for health and human resources on Carter’s domestic policy staff.
Dr. Mongan also served as head of Truman Medical Center in Kansas City, Mo., for 15 years, before being named president of Massachusetts General Hospital in 1996. In 2003, he became president and chief executive of Partners HealthCare.
“Jim collaborated with his colleagues to work tirelessly as an advocate for patients with a keen focus on quality and safety,” Gottlieb said. “His High Performance Medicine initiatives, highlighted by the adoption of the electronic medical record, continue to drive improvements across our system.”
Partners HealthCare’s High Performance Medicine initiative improves quality, safety and efficiency through the use of electronic medical records, computerized ordering of drugs and tests, patient tracking systems, and disease management and nurse coaching programs.
“When we remember Jim, the words genuine, generous, dedicated and distinguished only begin to shape the description of a man who made a distinct difference in how we are strengthening our commitment to health care today,” Gottlieb added.
In addition to his wife, Jean, Dr. Mongan is survived by his children, John and Sarah, his brother, Tom, his sister, Peggy Murphy, and a grandson. A memorial service for Dr. Mongan will be at 3 p.m. on Monday, June 1, at Memorial Church in Harvard Square.