Cook Retires Friday, Wray Named St. Joe Hospital President

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Mercy Health Youngstown announced today that Charlotte Wray has replaced Kathy Cook as president of St. Joseph Warren Hospital.

Cook, who announced her plans to retire last fall, will leave the hospital Friday after 38 years of service to Mercy Health. Wray began her tenure as president of St. Joseph Warren Hospital last month as part of Cook’s retirement transition. She previously was chief nursing officer for Mercy Health – Lorain. 

Cook has served as hospital president for eight years. She joined the ministry as a staff nurse at Mercy Health – St. Elizabeth Youngstown. Since then, she has served in a variety of roles. Before being named president of St. Joseph Warren Hospital in 2013, Cook served was chief nursing officer of St. Elizabeth Youngstown.

“We are blessed to have had Kathy spend her entire health care career here at Mercy Health. Her dedication to the Mahoning Valley and providing compassionate, high-quality health care to its people will leave a lasting legacy on this community, said John Luellen, MD, market president of Mercy Health Lorain and Youngstown.

“As sad as we are to see Kathy’s journey with our ministry end, we are excited to welcome Charlotte Wray to her new role. She has been an instrumental leader in our Lorain market and we’re pleased to now have her expertise in Youngstown, leading St. Joseph Warren Hospital,” Luellen said.

Cook was a part of the team to start the Humility of Mary Home Therapies program as well as the Humility of Mary Hospice program. She served as director of nursing of Mercy Health – St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital and was a key leader in opening that hospital. She also served on the team that engaged the Akron Children’s Hospital to help elevate the quality of new-born and pediatric care in Trumbull County by bringing pediatric and special nursery care to the hospital.

In 2016, Cook was awarded the Athena Award, which is given annually to recognize area business and professional women who have demonstrated excellence in their chosen careers, provided leadership in the community and mentored or contributed to the growth of other professional women.

“As I start this next chapter, I’d like to thank the many teams I’ve had the privilege to work with throughout my career. It is because of you and your service that we’ve been able to help care for so many patients throughout our community,” said Cook. “You have been my inspiration every step of the way, especially these last two years as we’ve faced an unprecedented pandemic. From serving at the bedside as a nurse manager to my latest role as a hospital administrator, I am blessed to have been able to serve this wonderful community for so long.”

Wray joined Mercy Health – Lorain in 2018, serving as president of Mercy Health – Allen Hospital. She assumed additional responsibilities in 2019 also serving as chief operating officer for Mercy Health – Lorain. In 2020, she also was named chief nursing officer for Mercy Health – Lorain. Before joining Mercy Health, Wray has served in various health care leadership roles. She also started her career at the bedside, serving patients as a registered nurse in critical care.

“I am honored to serve the people of Trumbull County and the Mahoning Valley in my new role as president of St. Joseph Warren Hospital,” said Wray. “We will continue to provide our community with high-quality, compassionate health care, while also responding to the ever-changing health care needs of its residents by enhancing access to care.”

SOURCE: Mercy Health

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.