FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Patricia Cole

pcole@catholiccharitiesusa.org
703-236-6218
Catholic Charities USA Welcomes New Board Members
Executive Director of Catholic Charities Spokane and President and CEO of Mercy Health
to be Officially Commissioned during the 2015 Annual Gathering
Alexandria, Virginia (July 7, 2015) Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA), one of the nations largest
networks of faith-based social service providers, is pleased to welcome Robert J. McCann, PhD,
Executive Director, Catholic Charities Spokane, and Michael Connelly, MA, JD, FACHE, President
and CEO of Mercy Health to CCUSAs Board of Trustees.
I am proud to welcome Rob and Michael to CCUSAs board, said Sister Donna Markham,
President and CEO of Catholic Charities USA. They are both highly regarded in their fields and
will provide tremendous benefits to the board and our organization as a whole as we begin to chart
our path forward.
McCann joined Catholic Charities Spokane in 2000 and has served as Executive Director since
2005. He oversees the Catholic Charities programs and services while assisting the bishop and the
people of the Diocese of Spokane in responding to the social imperatives of the Gospel. McCann
directs the work of over 250 staff, 6,000 volunteers, and 15 programs in 38 locations in a 13-county
area. Under his leadership, Catholic Charities Spokane serves 50,000 different persons each year.
Connelly has served as president and CEO of Mercy Health since 1995. During that time, Mercy
Healths assets have grown from $1 billion to approximately $6 billion through an innovative cosponsorship/federalism model merging five religious sponsors and several community hospitals. He
has earned numerous professional and academic awards and served on parish and community
organizations.
CCUSA will officially commission the new individuals as members of its board of trustees during
the 2015 Annual Gathering, which will take place September 10-12 in Omaha, Nebraska.
Catholic Charities USAs Board of Trustees includes agency representatives elected by its Council of
Diocesan Directors, independent members, participating observers and non-voting trustees,
including an episcopal liaison from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
About Catholic Charities USA
Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) is the national office for Catholic Charities agencies nationwide. CCUSAs
members provide help and create hope to more than 9 million people a year regardless of religious, social, or
economic backgrounds. To learn more about CCUSA, please visit our website at
www.catholiccharitiesusa.org.
###