St. Joseph’s Hospital’s leadership plays a vital role in furthering the hospital’s mission and ensuring the highest quality of care for residents of West Bend and surrounding communities.

Executive Team

St. Joseph’s Hospital’s executive team is comprised of President and CEO Michael Laird, and vice presidents of medical affairs, nursing, finance, human resources, and non-clinical/support services. The team is responsible for day-to-day operations of the hospital, managing the financials, and making recommendations for St. Joseph’s strategic plans, along with other responsibilities.

Michael Laird
President/CEO, St. Joseph's Hospital

Michael Laird joined St. Joseph’s Hospital as president in 2006. Mr. Laird is a healthcare executive with more than 20 years of hospital management experience including 12 years serving as chief executive officer of several hospitals. He is board certified and a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Mr. Laird earned his bachelor’s degree from St. John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota and a master’s degree in healthcare administration from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. He currently serves on the board of directors of Economic Development/Washington County and Citizens Advocacy of Washington County, two local non-profit organizations serving needs in Washington County. He has also served on the American College of Healthcare Executives Council of Regents since 1997.

Mr. Laird is an effective healthcare leader with a sincere commitment to serving the greater community of Washington County.

Deb Lauenstein

Vice President, Human Resources

Deb Lauenstein has been with St. Joseph's Hospital since 2000. Ms. Lauenstein has held various positions at the hospital including director of marketing and business planning and vice president of marketing and human resources. Prior to joining the hospital, Ms. Lauenstein worked in human resources at Rockwell Automation in Mequon, Wis. 

Ms. Lauenstein earned her bachelor’s degree in management and communication from Concordia University in Mequon. She received her certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) in 2005.  Ms. Lauenstein serves as a director for the Waukesha-Ozaukee-Washington Workforce Development Board, a member of the Workforce Development Committee and has volunteered for various community organizations including United Way – Washington County and Big Brothers/Big Sisters.

Patrick Gardner, MD, FCAP

Vice President, Medical Affairs

Dr. Patrick Gardner has been a staff pathologist with St. Joseph's Hospital for over 10 years. He has been a hospital board member since 2004 and has served as vice president of Medical Affairs since 2003. Mr. Gardner is board certified in anatomic and clinical pathology.

Dr. Gardner earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee and received his doctorate and completed his residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin’s affiliated hospitals.

Mike Malzewski

Vice President, Finance/Chief Financial Officer

Mike Malzewski has been vice president of finance, chief financial officer of St. Joseph's Hospital since 1998. He also served as the Chief Financial Officer of SynergyHealth from 2001 - 2008. 

Before joining St. Joseph's Hospital, Mr. Malzewski was a director with the accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche where he was employed in the Milwaukee office from 1984 to 1998.  He is a former president of the Wisconsin Chapter of Healthcare Financial Management Association. Mr. Malzewski has also served in a national role with the Healthcare Financial Management Association as a member of the National Advisory Council for several years. He also is an adjunct faculty member in the Business Administration Department of the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee and is a frequent speaker on accounting and financial matters at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Board of Directors

The members who make up the hospital’s board of directors volunteer their time to ensure the highest quality of care to community members. Board members work continuously to implement the mission, vision and values of St. Joseph’s Hospital. They develop and recommend existing and proposed services to meet the long-term needs of our hospital’s service area, oversee quality of care and services provided, work toward geographic expansion of our hospital’s service area, and develop community support, among other responsibilities.

Ronald R. Bast

Michael F. Bloedorn, Chair

Patrick M. Gardner, MD

Mark A. Hauser, Secretary/Treasurer

Ronald A. Komas

Michael J. Laird, President/CEO

Richard L. Leitheiser

Gregory H. Miller

G. Michael Mosley, MD

Kristine K. O'Meara, Vice Chair

William D. Petasnick

Sharon I. Scott

Jeffrey R. Smale, MD

Christopher C. Zwygart