Special to Iredell Free News

Iredell Health System announced the hiring of Chris Petsko as the new assistant vice president of the Iredell Physician Network.

Petsko received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in clinical exercise physiology from West Virginia University. He then earned his Master of Healthcare Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Petsko has 19 years of progressive healthcare leadership experience in outpatient, ambulatory surgery, and physician services. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

In his new position, Petsko will be responsible for supporting the Iredell Physician Network’s operational and financial functions while collaborating with the vice president to identify and develop strategic directions for growth opportunities, new programs, services, and projects.

“What excites me about this role is the opportunity to see IPN grow to further serve and support the patients in Iredell Health System’s service area. IPN serves as a ‘front door,’ if you will, for patient care,” he said. “The ability to meet patients in their community to prevent chronic disease and health conditions that affect their daily life while providing an excellent patient experience is very important to me.”

When asked about his motivation for pursuing a career in healthcare, Petsko shared that he was initially drawn to physical therapy due to being a student athlete. However, his interest in the cardiovascular system and wellness led him to clinical exercise physiology. While working on his Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology degree, Petsko developed a deeper interest in acute and chronic diseases and conditions.

“The impact of that degree, plus my early years of management experience, has led to a career in developing and leading health services on many levels. Knowing that I can create opportunities for access to high-quality care for our community provides a great sense of fulfilling a mission,” Petsko explained.

Petsko is originally from Morgantown, West Virginia. After residing in Winchester, Va., for 20 years, he relocated to Bel Air, Md., in 2020, and now resides in Iredell County.

Petsko is a father of three and enjoys outdoor activities such as cycling, hiking, skiing, and camping. Music also is an integral part of Petsko’s life as he has been a drummer and percussionist for over 40 years.

“Life for me is all about experiences and challenging myself as an athlete, meeting new people, and making memories through my travels,” he said.

About Iredell Health System

Iredell Health System includes Iredell Memorial Hospital; Iredell Mooresville; two urgent care centers; Iredell Home Health; Iredell Wound Care & Hyperbaric Center; Community and Corporate Wellness; Occupational Medicine; the Iredell Physician Network and more. Iredell Memorial Hospital is the largest and only nonprofit hospital in Iredell County. The comprehensive healthcare facility has 247 beds; more than 1,800 employees; and has 260 physicians representing various specialties. Centers of excellence include Women’s and Children’s; Cardiovascular; Cancer; Surgical Services and Wellness & Prevention. The Health System’s second campus, Iredell Mooresville, is home to the area’s only 24-hour urgent care facility, as well as an ambulatory surgery center, imaging center, rehabilitation services, and physician practices. The mission of Iredell Health System is to inspire wellbeing. For a comprehensive list of services and programs, visit www.iredellhealth.org.