Bronson Battle Creek Hospital Welcomes New VP, Chief Nursing Officer

Battle Creek, Mich. – After a nationwide search, Steve Polega, RN, BSN, MHA, NEA-BC, has been appointed vice president and chief nursing officer for Bronson Battle Creek Hospital. In this role, he plans, organizes, and directs personnel engaged in patient care delivery, leads operational improvement and the continuous advancement of nursing professional practice. He reports to Joe du Lac, senior vice president and chief operating officer for Bronson Battle Creek.

Polega has over 25 years of experience in healthcare including acute care, ambulatory, and inpatient settings. His new position marks a return to the Bronson Healthcare system. He joined Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo in 2001 as a clinical coordinator and charge nurse and went on to serve as nurse manager of the Trauma & Emergency Center from 2007-2012. From 2012-2023, he was with University of Michigan Health-West where he served as director of emergency and urgent care services before becoming executive vice president and chief nursing officer in 2017. 

A lifelong learner and educator, Polega’s foundational leadership skills were developed serving six years in the United States Navy. He received a master’s degree in health administration from Ohio University; a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Andrews University; and a bachelor’s degree in health science from Grand Valley State University.