Hurley Medical Center Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

Hurley Medical Center has 6 executives leading key functions including medical operations, financial strategy, information technology, and clinical oversight.

Committed to delivering advanced specialty care, Hurley Medical Center prioritizes patient outcomes through innovation in burn medicine, pediatric intensive care, and complex surgical services across the Michigan region.

Leadership Roles at Hurley Medical Center

  • Chief Financial Officer - Diane Downard
  • Vice President & Chief Financial Officer - Keith Poniers
  • Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer - Cass Wisniewski
  • Chief of Staff - Elmahdi Saeed
  • Chief Information Officer - Michael Joseph
  • Vice President & Chief Medical Officer - Michael Jaggi
  • Diane Downard - Chief Financial Officer

    Diane Downard, the Chief Financial Officer at Hurley Medical Center, directs the fiscal strategy and resource allocation for the institution's diverse specialty programs. The Chief Financial Officer oversees budget planning, revenue cycle management, and capital investments required for maintaining state-of-the-art burn medicine and kidney transplantation facilities. By analyzing financial data, Downard ensures the long-term sustainability of the hospital's mission to provide advanced care. This role requires close collaboration with the board to align fiscal goals with clinical expansion objectives. Diane Downard monitors operational costs to maximize efficiency without compromising the quality of pediatric intensive care services. Through rigorous financial forecasting and risk assessment, the Chief Financial Officer secures the necessary funding for infrastructure upgrades and medical equipment procurement. Downard maintains a focus on fiscal transparency and accountability, ensuring that the hospital remains a stable and reliable healthcare provider for the surrounding communities.

    Keith Poniers - Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

    Keith Poniers, the Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at Hurley Medical Center, manages the financial operations specifically related to the hospital's surgical and intensive care service lines. The Vice President & Chief Financial Officer evaluates the profitability and resource requirements of bariatric surgery and high-risk pregnancy programs. By conducting detailed cost-benefit analyses, Poniers optimizes the allocation of funds to support specialized medical equipment and staffing needs. This role involves coordinating with department heads to ensure that financial targets support the broader clinical mission. Keith Poniers drives improvements in billing accuracy and reimbursement processes to enhance the hospital's revenue streams. Through strategic financial planning, the Vice President & Chief Financial Officer mitigates operational risks and ensures the availability of resources for critical patient care. Poniers maintains a focus on fiscal health, providing the necessary economic foundation for the institution to continue delivering advanced specialty care to the region.
    Keith Poniers

    Cass Wisniewski - Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

    Cass Wisniewski, the Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at Hurley Medical Center, oversees the enterprise-wide financial strategy and long-term economic planning for the entire healthcare system. The Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer directs the management of assets, debt structures, and investment portfolios to ensure the institution's financial resilience. By leading large-scale financial initiatives, Wisniewski supports the expansion of specialty care services, including kidney transplantation and burn medicine. This role involves high-level reporting to the board regarding the hospital's overall financial performance and strategic growth opportunities. Cass Wisniewski drives the development of financial policies that promote operational efficiency and sustainable growth across all departments. Through rigorous oversight of the hospital's balance sheet, the Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer ensures that the institution remains well-positioned to invest in future medical advancements. Wisniewski maintains a focus on long-term stability, securing the financial future of the organization.
    Cass Wisniewski

    Elmahdi Saeed - Chief of Staff

    Elmahdi Saeed, the Chief of Staff at Hurley Medical Center, coordinates clinical governance and administrative alignment across all specialty departments. The Chief of Staff manages communication between the medical staff and executive leadership to ensure seamless delivery of high-risk pregnancy care and neonatal services. By streamlining internal protocols, Saeed optimizes the efficiency of the hospital's advanced specialty units. This leadership role involves monitoring compliance with healthcare standards while fostering a collaborative environment for physicians. Elmahdi Saeed directly influences the quality of patient care by refining operational workflows and supporting the integration of new medical technologies. Through consistent oversight of clinical performance metrics, the Chief of Staff maintains the institution's reputation for excellence in complex medical interventions. Ultimately, Saeed drives the strategic initiatives necessary to sustain the hospital's position as a premier provider of critical care services within the broader healthcare landscape.

    Michael Joseph - Chief Information Officer

    Michael Joseph, the Chief Information Officer at Hurley Medical Center, architects the digital infrastructure and data security frameworks supporting the hospital's complex clinical operations. The Chief Information Officer manages the implementation of electronic health records and advanced diagnostic systems essential for bariatric surgery and neonatal intensive care. By integrating secure data platforms, Joseph ensures that medical teams access critical patient information with speed and accuracy. This leadership role involves protecting sensitive health data against cyber threats while enabling seamless communication between departments. Michael Joseph drives the adoption of innovative health technologies to improve diagnostic precision and patient monitoring capabilities. Through the modernization of IT systems, the Chief Information Officer supports the hospital's commitment to high-quality specialty care. Joseph maintains a focus on digital transformation, ensuring that the technological backbone of the institution remains robust, scalable, and fully aligned with the evolving needs of modern medical practice.

    Michael Jaggi - Vice President & Chief Medical Officer

    Michael Jaggi, the Vice President & Chief Medical Officer at Hurley Medical Center, leads the clinical quality initiatives and medical standards for the hospital's specialty care units. The Vice President & Chief Medical Officer oversees physician performance, patient safety protocols, and the implementation of evidence-based medical practices in burn medicine and pediatric intensive care. By fostering a culture of continuous improvement, Jaggi ensures that clinical outcomes meet the highest standards of care. This role involves collaborating with nursing leadership and administrative staff to optimize patient care pathways. Michael Jaggi drives the development of clinical policies that enhance the effectiveness of kidney transplantation and high-risk pregnancy services. Through the monitoring of quality metrics and peer review processes, the Vice President & Chief Medical Officer maintains the hospital's commitment to excellence. Jaggi focuses on clinical leadership, ensuring that the medical staff remains equipped to handle the most complex healthcare challenges.
    Michael Jaggi

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Hurley Medical Center Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Hurley Medical Center?
    Hurley Medical Center is led by Diane Downard (Chief Financial Officer), along with executives such as Keith Poniers (Vice President & Chief Financial Officer) and Cass Wisniewski (Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer).
    Who is part of Hurley Medical Center’s executive team?
    The executive team of Hurley Medical Center includes leaders such as Diane Downard (Chief Financial Officer), Keith Poniers (Vice President & Chief Financial Officer), Cass Wisniewski (Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Hurley Medical Center have?
    Hurley Medical Center has 6 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Hurley Medical Center’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Hurley Medical Center includes roles such as Chief Financial Officer, Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Chief of Staff, Chief Information Officer.