-ATIN- 09/01/08 - After a months long search, Hazelden's board has chosen veteran Minnesota healthcare executive Mark Mishek as its new CEO, succeeding Ellen Breyer, who resigned suddenly earlier this year after about six years on the job.

Hazelden's board has once again reached outside the addiction treatment industry for CEO talent after many speculated that it might seek a top industry player to succeed Breyer, who was a marketing executive with no addiction treatment expertise, or any healthcare industry expertise. Mishek, on the other hand, has deep healthcare experience, having just come from Minnesota non-profit behemoth Allina Hospitals and Clinics, where he was a top executive serving most recently as president of United Hospital of St. Paul.

Allina is a huge healthcare player, with 11 hospitals and almost 100 clinics of various types.

ATIN attempted to reach Mishek for comment at his St. Paul home over the Labor Day weekend but has yet to get a response to its request for an interview.

In a prepared statement, Hazelden Board Chair Norb Conzemius said: "Mark Mishek has been a dynamic leader in health care in the Twin Cities for a long time. He has demonstrated his ability to manage complex health care organizations. His contribution and level of commitment to service and quality patient care will provide a valuable asset to Hazelden as we grow and innovate to meet the challenges of treating addiction."

Newswire Staff

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