Penrose-St. Francis names new Cancer Center Director

Penrose-St. Francis Health Services is pleased to announce the hiring of Dennis P. Bruens, MPA, as the Penrose Cancer Center Director. Dennis replaces Deborah Hood, who will be departing after spending 27 years in the system.

Dennis will begin his leadership role on June 26.

Dennis comes to us from faith-based organization, St. Mary's Hospital and Medical Center in Grand Junction, where he has held progressively responsible roles since 1993. His current role is Director of the San Juan Cancer Center, a joint venture of Montrose Memorial Hospital, radiation oncologists, and St. Mary's. He also served as Director of Planning and Business Development, engaged in strategic planning, management of program development, master facility planning, development of departmental business plans, and the direction of public relations and marketing.

Key accomplishments include the planning of a $225 million redevelopment for St. Mary's main campus, development of an outpatient imaging/physician joint venture, development of the radiation oncology joint venture and leadership of customer service programs and performance improvement programs focused on cost improvement. At St. Mary's, he has served as a team member on Center of Excellence committees in cardiovascular, trauma, emergency, oncology, and women's health services.

Dennis holds a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Colorado in Denver, and a BA from Mesa State College in Grand Junction, CO. His community involvement is extensive, including board memberships for the Colorado West Regional Mental Health Center and Colorado Health Partners.

The Penrose Cancer Center brings leading edge, compassionate cancer care to the people of southern Colorado. The center is accredited by the Commission on Cancer (CoC). Only 25% of cancer programs in the United States are approved programs. Penrose received their first accreditation in 1952 and has maintained this status ever since. Penrose also has the only radiation therapy unit in the state of Colorado accredited by the American College of Radiology.

The Penrose Cancer Center was the first in the United States to establish a formal training program for radiation oncology physicians, which was funded by the National Cancer Institute. Many of the physicians trained at Penrose have become leaders in radiation oncology facilities including M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and St. Jude's Children’s Cancer Center.

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