Nurse to Chair Sparrow Health System and Hospital Board

Barbara Given, PhD, headshot for E.W. Sparrow Hospital Association
Barbara Given, Ph.D., RN
Richard Bruner Bio
Richard Bruner

Published: Feb. 4, 2015

Sparrow is pleased to announce Barbara Given, Ph.D., RN, has been elected Chair of the Sparrow Health System and Sparrow Hospital Board for 2015.

Given, Associate Dean of the College of Nursing at Michigan State University and a University Distinguished Professor, is the first Nurse to serve in the position. The 15 members of the Board oversee Sparrow Health System, which includes Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. Sparrow extends its appreciation to Greg Brogan, who served as Chair for four years - the maximum number of terms - and continues to serve as a member.

Given’s illustrious Nursing career includes more than 45 years at MSU’s College of Nursing and research on long-term cancer care, symptom management, family home care, family caregiving, and cancer care/intervention. She was formerly the Interim Director of the Sparrow/MSU Center for Innovation and Research. Given received Sparrow Nursing’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013.

Given joined Sparrow Health System and the Sparrow Hospital Board in 2009. She served as Vice Chair from 2012-2014. Prior to her service in that capacity, Given was a member of the Sparrow Home Care Board from 2000–2009, during which time she served as Chair.

Richard Bruner was elected Vice Chair for 2015. He has served for several years and continues to Chair the Finance and Audit Committee.

Prior to joining Sparrow Health System and Sparrow Hospital Board, Bruner was a member of the Physicians Health Plan Board of Directors, during which time he served as Vice Chair.

Bruner, formerly the University Club of MSU’s General Manager and CEO, is currently a faculty member at MSU.

Additional members of the Sparrow Health System and Sparrow Hospital Board are: Jeff Benson, Greg Brogan, Maude Guerin, M.D., Timothy Hodge, D.O., David Hunt, David Kaufman, D.O., Curtis Keck, Michael King, Nancy McKeague, James Olson, M.D., Jean Paull, Matt Rush, and Dennis Swan, who is also President and CEO of Sparrow Health System.