Meet Mr. Scanlan

by Susan Malovany

Just call him the Steve Jobs of the health care industry. Kevin Scanlan, president and CEO of the Metropolitan Chicago HealthCare Council (MCHC), is well–known for his innovative management style. He is also an NLU alumnus.

Scanlan began his career at MCHC 21 years ago, and has been the president and CEO for three years. MCHC is a unique health care trade association that represents 150 hospitals and health care providers in the Chicago–area. Scanlan's been involved in many of MCHC's most successful hospital and community programs, including the Illinois Poison Center, which includes 24/7 hotline coverage in the entire state. As for his innovative management style, he has established a leadership development program at MCHC, he explains, so that the 25 managers and directors who report to him have the tools for appropriate decision–making.

Highly motivated student

Scanlan received his master of science degree in 1984 in human resources development, which is now the M.S. in Human Resource Management and Development degree in NLU's College of Management and Business (CMB). He has also been an adjunct faculty member in CMB for many years, and NLU honored him with a Distinguished Alumni Award this year. "Kevin Scanlan is our college's shining example of a highly motivated former student who gives back to us time and again by teaching our students and by serving on our CMB advisory board," says Chris Multhauf, NLU's executive dean of CMB.

The CMB advisory board meets quarterly, Scanlan notes, and he offers his own perspective of the health care field to the board and how CMB can be more proactive in this field, such as directing additional Latino and African–American students into its programs. "We also talk about enhancements and revisions to be made to CMB programs, and where our focus should be in these programs," Scanlan says. "Additionally, I'm excited with our discussions about the on–site business management programs the college offers at individual workplaces—the more convenient, the better, we believe."

The advisory board also advises CMB on emerging business trends and acts as a sounding board for faculty as they develop new courses, Scanlan says, providing a unique perspective on what the marketplace needs.

NLU graduate degree offered career advancement

Scanlan explains that his degree from NLU helped him advance in his career. "I originally saw my graduate degree as a career enhancement tool within the hospital system I worked for," he explains. "I was promoted from a department director to an assistant administrator, which did have a graduate degree as a requirement. That job role provided the opportunity for me to join MCHC in a position that also required a graduate degree."

He adds, "In my 21 years at MCHC, I've advanced from a divisional director to a vice president to the executive vice president and finally, three years ago, to president. It's highly unlikely any of those career opportunities would have been possible without my graduate degree from NLU."

When Scanlan isn't busy with his work at MCHC, he hopes to be able to sail away on the boat he co–leases, enjoying an evening dinner on Lake Michigan with family and friends. "It's my definite way of relaxing with my busy lifestyle," he says.

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