North Central Pennsylvania nonprofit hospital executive salaries Spotlight PA State College

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A federal judge recently revoked a property tax exemption for a nonprofit hospital in southeastern Pennsylvania. Previously reported by Spotlight PA.

Tower Health charged the hospital it owns exorbitant administrative fees, Judge Christine Fizano Cannon found. The ruling also found that executives were being paid “spectacular” salaries, with bonuses tied to the health care system’s financial success.

Clint Matthews, former CEO of Tower Health, received about $2.5 million in salary and bonuses in fiscal 2020, according to tax returns that nonprofits must file with the IRS.

In north-central Pennsylvania, most hospitals are part of larger medical systems such as the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), Geisinger, and Penn Highlands.

In 2020, the CEOs of these systems posted seven-figure revenues. UPMC’s Jeffrey Romoff earned his $9.5 million. Geisinger’s Jaewon Ryu earned his $4.6 million. Penn Highlands’ Steve Fontaine earned his $1.1 million.

To get a complete picture of executive compensation for nonprofit hospitals in north-central Pennsylvania, Spotlight PA compiled a list of total salaries and bonuses from facilities in the area. Data provided by hospitals and affiliated organizations is based on nonprofit tax returns for fiscal 2020, the most recent year for which data is available.

In some cases, a hospital’s CEO may not be the highest-paid employee.

Facility Name, County, CEO, Title, Payments:

• UPMC Williamsport and UPMC Muncie (Lycoming): Stephen Johnson (former president), $1.1 million (another document shows $996,352)

• Nitani Mountain Medical Center (Center): Kathleen Line (CEO), $1.1 million

• Evangelical Community Hospital (Union): Kendra Oker (CEO), $887,429

• UPMC Altoona and UPMC Bedford* (Blair, Bedford): Jean Fischer (CEO), $791,814

• Penn Highlands DuBois (Clearfield): John Sutica (Former President), $507,534

• Geisinger Lewistown Hospital (Mifflin): Kirk E. Thomas (CAO of Geisinger Western Region), $333,457

• Geisinger Jersey Shore Hospital (Lycoming): Tammy Anderer (CAO of Geisinger North-Central Region), $315,017

• Punkstuney Area Hospital (Jefferson): Daniel Braff (former CEO), $311,269

• UPMC Wellsboro and UPMC Cole (Tioga, Potter): Janie Hilfiger (President), $294,086

• Penn Highlands Huntingdon, Huntingdon: Joseph Myers (CEO), $293,667

• Pen Highland Elk (Elk): Brad Chapman (CEO), $283,242

• UPMC Lockhaven (Clinton): Ronald Reynolds (President), $278,000

• Penn Highlands Clearfield (Clearfield): Rhonda Halstead (President), $258,826

• Penn Highlands Brookville (Jefferson): Julian Peer (President), $245,993

• UPMC Kane (McKean): Mark Papalia (President), $160,538

• Penn Highlands Tyrone (Blair): Anna-Marie Anna (CEO), $120,776**

• Bucktail Medical Center (Clinton): Timothy Reeves (Director), $90,683

*Outside Spotlight PA State College’s 14 county coverage area

**Appointed in the middle of the fiscal year

Ashad Hajera is Reporting to America He is a member of the Corps and writes on rural issues for the State College Regional Bureau of Spotlight PA.

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