MARQUETTE — The NorthCare Network Governing Board is pleased to announce that Dr. Timothy Kangas, Ph.D., MPA, was recently hired as the new Chief Executive Officer. Kangas replaces William Slavin, who retired on December 14, 2018.

In his new role, Kangas will be responsible for the strategic planning, direction and management of all NorthCare Network operations. NorthCare Network of Marquette is the Prepaid Inpatient Health Plan (PIHP) for the Upper Peninsula Region responsible for the management of the Medicaid Managed Specialty Supports and Services concurrent 1915 (b)/(c) Waiver Program(s), the Healthy Michigan Program and Substance Use Disorder Community Grant Programs under contract with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). NorthCare Network’s mission is to ensure that every eligible recipient receives quality specialty mental health and substance use disorder services and supports through the responsible management of regional resources.

Previously, Kangas served as the chief operating officer at the Armed Forces Retirement Home (AFRH) managing two facilities to ensure the delivery of quality programs and services throughout the agency’s continuing care retirement community for veterans.

He has worked for more than 20 years in multiple capacities serving Michigan’s citizens. He was the regional healthcare administrator for the Michigan Department of Corrections. There, he provided direct oversight for the provision of comprehensive healthcare services to over 20,000 inmates located across the lower half of Michigan. He also served as the trauma coordinator for the state of Michigan, where he led the effort to create and implement the first statewide all-inclusive trauma system.

From 2007 to 2008, Kangas served as a senior advisor for the U.S. Department of State’s Provisional Reconstruction Team in Iraq. There, he was responsible for the establishment of a provincial reconstruction strategy for essential services and infrastructure on a forward operating base in Baqubah, Iraq.

Kangas was an elected member of the Dewitt City Council and served on many local boards and commissions. He was also an aide to former U.S Representative Bob Davis and for nine years served as a combat medic with the 107th Engineering Battalion of the Michigan Army National Guard.

Kangas attended Northern Michigan University earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology and master’s degree in public administration. He received his Doctorate in Public Administration and Public Affairs from Western Michigan University. Kangas is a native of L’Anse and his wife, Deb (Ojala), is a native of Baraga. They have three children Kortney, Ciara and Alec. They are looking forward to being back in the Upper Peninsula and closer to family.