ST. LOUIS, MO –  Ketchum's Nick Ragone is stepping down from the PR firm after more than a decade to become CCO at Catholic healthcare organization Ascension.

Ragone, who takes on the new role on June 23, will lead comms across Ascension, its subsidiaries and its 36 health ministries, which include hospitals and related health facilities in 23 states and Washington DC. Ascension's direct subsidiaries include Ascension Health, one of the largest Catholic and non-profit health systems.

Ragone will report to John Doyle, EVP of Ascension and president/CEO of Ascension Holdings. In his most recent post at Ketchum, Ragone was partner and director of its Washington DC office. Before that, he was associate director of Ketchum’s New York office, where he oversaw the corporate, media, and issues and crisis practices.