Mr. Butler is a nationally recognized health care executive with almost 40 years of experience in teaching hospitals and health care systems. In addition to being immediate past president of Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois, Mr. Butler is currently professor and chairman of the Department of Health Systems Management at Rush University, which is home to the masters program in health care administration ranked 5th in the country by U.S. News and World Report. Before to joining Rush in 2002, Mr. Butler served as president and chief executive officer of the Methodist Hospital System (now Houston Methodist) in Houston, Texas, and as senior vice president and chief administrative officer of the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit.

Mr. Butler is past Chairman of the Board of the University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC). He also served as Chairman of the National Center for Healthcare Leadership board. He has served on the boards of the Health Research and Education Trust, the Michigan Hospital Association, and the Texas Hospital Association. He has also been on numerous American Hospital Association councils, including chairing the Section for Healthcare Systems Council. In 2008, he was appointed to a three year term as a member of the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) and was reappointed to a second term in 2011. He is currently a member of the Chicago Commercial Club of Chicago and the Economic Club of Chicago.

In 2016, Mr. Butler was awarded the degree of doctor of humane letters from Rush University and delivered the commencement address. He also received the Filerman Prize for Educational Leadership from the Association of University Programs in Health Administration.

Mr. Butler is a graduate of Amherst College, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology. He received his master of health services administration degree from the University of Michigan.

• Master of Health Services Administration, 1976, University of Michigan School of Public Health
• Bachelor of Arts, 1973, Psychology, Amherst College

Leadership in Today's U.S. Health Systems (HCAKX-924-0)
The U.S health system is being impacted by shifting demographics, advances in medicine and technology, big data, and rapidly evolving payment models that are reshaping incentives for consumers and moving accountability for value directly to those providing care-physicians, hospitals and health systems. This course immerses the student in the challenges, issues, culture, and competencies required to successfully lead a health system, a vast majority of which are non-profit. Creating a compelling vision, aligning hospitals and physicians, responding to the new payment environment, negotiating merger and acquisitions, partnering with others to accelerate innovation, and fostering an environment with values are among the topics that will be covered through the lens of health system leadership. The course draws upon the faculty leader's extensive experience in leading health systems and a career-long commitment to teaching and health policy. Supported by pre-class reading and brief videos, the classroom will present issues and cases in which the faculty has been directly involved. Brief breakout sessions will generate dialogue, debate, and recommendations that require critical thinking at both a strategic and operational level. The deliverables include two group and two individual assignments. The course is ideal for students considering a career in a health system or for those whose career will require a greater understanding of what is required to successfully partner with or even compete with a health system.

Leadership in Today's U.S. Health Systems (HCAK-924-5)
The U.S health system is being impacted by shifting demographics, advances in medicine and technology, big data, and rapidly evolving payment models that are reshaping incentives for consumers and moving accountability for value directly to those providing care-physicians, hospitals and health systems. This course immerses the student in the challenges, issues, culture, and competencies required to successfully lead a health system, a vast majority of which are non-profit. Creating a compelling vision, aligning hospitals and physicians, responding to the new payment environment, negotiating merger and acquisitions, partnering with others to accelerate innovation, and fostering an environment with values are among the topics that will be covered through the lens of health system leadership. The course draws upon the faculty leader's extensive experience in leading health systems and a career-long commitment to teaching and health policy. Supported by pre-class reading and brief videos, the classroom will present issues and cases in which the faculty, including guest speakers, have been directly involved. The deliverables include two group and three individual assignments. The course is ideal for students considering a career in a health system or for those whose career will require a greater understanding of what is required to successfully partner with or even compete with a health system.

A basic understanding of the health care industry is suggested but not required. Please note: STRT-443 Healthcare Strategy OR STRT-444 Healthcare Economics are STRONGLY recommended prerequisites for the class.