CellNetix Names Kathleen Fondren as New Chief Executive Officer
“I am incredibly honored and humbled by the confidence that the board of directors has placed in me to lead CellNetix into the future,”
Today, Kathleen Fondren has been named Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Seattle based CellNetix Pathology & Laboratories.
Ms. Fondren had been serving as the Chief Operations Officer (COO) for CellNetix since September of 2014. She succeeds Don Howard, MD, PhD who left CellNetix in December 2015 after many years of dedicated service to CellNetix and the Puget Sound healthcare community.
“We are delighted that Kathleen has accepted the CEO position with CellNetix,” said David Corwin, MD, president and chairman of the board. “We think Kathleen is the perfect choice to lead CellNetix into the future during this challenging healthcare era. She brings broad experience in key areas such as strategic planning, physician and hospital partnerships, quality improvement and operational efficiency. All of which are vitally important to the future growth and development of CellNetix. “
“Kathleen is someone who understands the changing environment and specifically as it relates to pathology and laboratory medicine,” said Barry Kahn, MD, vice chair of the CellNetix board, who served on the selection committee that included board members and key executives. Kahn noted that Ms. Fondren will continue to develop and execute the CellNetix mission of Excellence in patient care – every diagnosis, every day.
Two Decades of Experience
Ms. Fondren’s more than two decades of healthcare leadership experience was largely spent at Highline Medical Center in Burien, WA as part of the executive team with responsibility for clinical services such as clinical laboratory, diagnostic imaging, pharmacy, emergency department, home health & hospice as well as many other areas.
During her time at Highline, Ms. Fondren oversaw the development of a clinical laboratory outreach program, the opening of a new joint venture diagnostic imaging center and the building of a new 32-bed emergency department, as well as many other key initiatives. Ms. Fondren also served as the liaison between the hospital and physician specialists.
“I am incredibly honored and humbled by the confidence that the board of directors has placed in me to lead CellNetix into the future,” said Ms. Fondren. “CellNetix is a national leader in anatomic and molecular pathology and I look forward to maintaining efficient operations while enhancing and growing our brand.” Ms. Fondren also noted that “establishing strong relationships with key partners will be of great importance to continue the long-standing commitment of CellNetix to excellence in diagnostic healthcare.”
Education
Ms. Fondren will work closely with the board of directors and other CellNetix executives and staff to leverage the quality care that CellNetix provides to build on its mission and vision. Kathleen holds a master’s of business administration degree from the University of Wyoming, as well as a bachelor’s degree in Medical Technology. She is also a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives.