Kate Matousek has spent much of her career working in health care leadership. Now, she is taking on a new role at Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital.
Matousek, MS, BSN, RN, was recently named president of Palos Hospital, where she will oversee hospital operations, quality and strategic initiatives.
The position brings Matousek back to a hospital and health system that has been part of her life since she was born.
Matousek was born at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where her parents met while working in the pharmacy.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside our exceptional physicians, nurses, other clinicians, and non-clinical team members as we continue building on the hospital’s strong foundation by advancing the quality of care and experience for our patients in the communities we serve,” Matousek said.
Matousek joined Northwestern Medicine in 2014. She has served as vice president of operations at both Palos Hospital and Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital.
During her time in those positions, she worked with a number of hospital departments, including surgery, endoscopy, imaging, the stroke program and support services. She also was involved in the expansion of the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute in the western suburbs.
Her career in health care was not something she originally planned.
Matousek was studying finance at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign when a medical emergency involving a family member changed her plans. The experience led her to pursue nursing.
She later earned a nursing degree from the University of Illinois Chicago and began working as a critical care nurse at NYU Medical Center in New York. She also earned a master’s degree in nursing education.
Her nursing experience eventually led her into hospital administration and leadership.
Howard Chrisman, president and CEO of Northwestern Memorial HealthCare, said Matousek has experience working with both clinical and administrative teams.
“Kate is a highly respected leader who combines deep operational expertise with a genuine commitment to patients, physicians and team members,” Chrisman said. “Throughout her career, she has built engaged teams, driven outstanding clinical and operational outcomes and consistently demonstrated a collaborative leadership style.”
Matousek said the new position also brings her closer to the communities she has served during her career.
“As someone whose life has been connected to Northwestern Medicine since birth, it is an incredible honor to serve as president of Palos Hospital,” she said.
Matousek succeeds Mike Vivoda, who served as president of Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital since 2018.
