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GRAND RAPIDS – The CEO of Catherine Health Center, a non-profit healthcare provider for underserved patients in Kent County, plans to retire early next year.
Karen Kaashoek (courtesy photo)Karen Kaashoek has volunteered or worked for Catherine’s, which has been based in Grand Rapids since 1997, holding positions such as Neighborhood Health Services Coordinator, Clinical Supervisor, Executive Director and CEO.
Kaashoek will remain in the federally licensed health center until a new CEO is hired and to help with the organization’s transition to new leadership.
“I like to say that I grew as Catherine grew older, taking on more responsibility as the organization became more and more complex,†Kaashoek said in a statement. “Over the past 24 years, I have had the privilege of serving alongside an incredible team of staff and volunteers who serve the needs of the community. I will cherish the time spent here and the many wonderful people I have met.
Under Kaashoek’s leadership, Catherine’s achieved 501 (c) (3) status as a non-profit organization, raised $ 1.3 million to move to an expanded facility, expanded services, opened a clinic dental clinic and achieved national accreditation as a patient-centered medical center.
The Catherine Health Center started in 1996 as a joint venture between Mercy Health Saint Mary’s, St. Alphonsus Parish and the Creston Neighborhood Association. The center first operated in the basement of St. Alphonsus on Leonard Street until 2011, then moved to the corner of the old St. Alphonsus School on Lafayette Street. Catherine’s provides primary, behavioral and dental health care, as well as health promotion and disease prevention services.
Catherine’s directors have formed a search committee and will retain an executive search firm to help them recruit a new CEO.
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