Two local executives with exceptional leadership experience and deep commitment to the Berks County community have joined the Reading Hospital Foundation Board of Directors (Foundation).
Michael Stern, FACHE, president and CEO at Tower Health, and Natashja Szortyka, philanthropy coordinator at Quaker Maid Meats, will serve four-year terms on the Foundation Board. A non-profit organization, the Foundation supports Reading Hospital through contributions that make vital projects, programs, and services possible.
“The addition of Michael and Natashja will help continue to strengthen the Foundation and guide us into our next chapter,” said Katherine Thornton, Reading Hospital Foundation President. “Their respective expertise with innovation, healthcare, and development will be an asset to our team.”
Mr. Stern joined Tower Health in 2022 as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) before transitioning to president and CEO in February 2025. He has more than two decades of senior healthcare executive experience and is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. He holds a Master of Health Administration, which he earned through a collaborative program at Clark University and the University of Massachusetts Medical School, as well as a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from Hofstra University.
Ms. Szortyka has a strong commitment to community service. For the past six years, she has volunteered at Mary’s Shelter, where she has played a pivotal role as Chair of the Development Committee and has also served as Board Chair for the past two years. She received her MBA from Alvernia University and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theater from Stetson University in DeLand, Florida.
Reading Hospital Foundation is a nonprofit organization that supports the mission of Reading Hospital to benefit the health and well-being of our community. Contributions from grateful patients, individuals, families, employees, foundations and corporations enhance and expand vital projects, programs and services. For more information, please visit towerhealth.org/rhf.
