A press release Wednesday, March 9 announced that MyMichigan Health President and CEO Diane Postler-Slattery, Ph.D., FACHE, 63, and her husband Don died following a fatal plane crash in northwest Florida Tuesday evening.
“This is a great tragedy for our health system,” Executive Vice President and COO Greg Rogers said. “Diane was a strong, passionate and inspirational leader and was beloved by her family, friends and colleagues. We ask that you keep her family and friends in your thoughts and prayers, and that you respect their privacy during this difficult time.”
She has been president ad CEO of MyMichigan Health since January 14, 2013, moving with her husband to Michigan. Before that she was president and chief operating officer of Aspirus Wausau Hospital and senior vice president of quality and extended services for the Aspirus system.
Postler-Slattery held a Ph.D. in education administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, as well as a Master of Science in nursing/nursing administration and Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
“She was a visionary and under her leadership we greatly expanded our health system, including affiliations with our Medical Centers in Alpena, West Branch and most recently Sault St. Marie,” continued Rogers. “As a nurse herself, she was committed to patient care and the highest level of safety and patient satisfac
tion. In fact, the comfort for patients and their families was of utmost importance to her ensuring any new facility had a warm, homelike setting including her favorite feature – a cozy fireplace.”
Diane was active in many professional and civic organizations and was a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. She was a board member of Midland Center for the Arts, Midland Business Alliance, Michigan Baseball Foundation, Michigan Health & Hospital Association, Affirmant Health Partners, Alma College, and THRIVE (Transforming Healthcare Regionally In a Vibrant Economy). She was also a member of the Midland 100 Club and the Midland Business Alliance Innovation Center Advisory Committee. Diane was lead director of IncredibleBank’s board of directors. She also served as the chair of the American Hospital Association’s 2019 and 2020 Go Red for Women campaign.
She was active in many professional and civic organizations and was a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. She was a board member of Midland Center for the Arts, Midland Business Alliance, Michigan Baseball Foundation, Michigan Health & Hospital Association, Affirmant Health Partners, Alma College, and THRIVE (Transforming Healthcare Regionally In a Vibrant Economy). She was also a member of the Midland 100 Club and the Midland Business Alliance Innovation Center Advisory Committee. Diane was lead director of IncredibleBank’s board of directors. She also served as the chair of the American Hospital Association’s 2019 and 2020 Go Red for Women campaign.
During her career, Diane was the recipient of numerous awards, which included a Woman of Vision, Athena, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire President’s Award, State of Wisconsin Nurse Leader of the Year, State of Wisconsin Champion in Women’s Health, Great Lakes Bay YWCA Woman of Achievement, and Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame Laureate.
Diane and Don are survived by their three children and five grandchildren. Rogers is currently functioning as acting CEO for the health system until further action is taken.
