After a very successful 47-year career with Mercy Health Saint Mary’s, Dr. David Baumgartner has announced his retirement, effective September 6, 2019.
Baumgartner’s history with Saint Mary’s spans from physician of Infectious Disease to administrative leadership, including as interim president from October 2018-May 2019. He began at Saint Mary’s at the age of 16, working in various departments, from housekeeping to patient care to the hospital’s executive team.
Baumgartner faithfully served for 30 years at Mercy Health Infectious Disease McAuley Program, a community benefit ministry of Mercy Health. The McAuley Program has become one of the nation’s highest-achieving treatment centers for people living with HIV and the largest clinic on the west side of the state, treating more than 1,000 patients annually.
During his tenure in that role, Baumgartner treated many of his young HIV patients through their geriatric years, and pioneered treatment for his patients that eradicated HIV-infected women from passing the virus to their babies.
He retired from that role in 2017 to focus on his administrative role as CMO.
Baumgartner earned his medical degree at Wayne State University and was fellowship-trained in Infectious Disease at University of Michigan.
“Throughout his entire career, Dr. Baumgartner has shown deep passion for the mission of Mercy Health,” said Dr. Hyung Kim, president of Mercy Health Saint Mary’s. “He has demonstrated tremendous servant leadership and compassionate care for his patients and colleagues. We wish David and his wife much happiness in retirement.”
A search is underway for his successor. Matt Biersack, MD, who serves as the organization’s chief quality and patient safety officer, has been named interim CMO.
