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Omar Lateef has been selected as the new president and CEO of the Rush University System for Health.

Lateef will assume the new post July 1. Ranga Krishnan, the current CEO of the system, will serve as a senior advisor to the chief executive. Lateef will continue serving as president and CEO of RUSH University Medical Center.

RUSH includes RUSH University Medical Center, RUSH University, RUSH Oak Park Hospital, RUSH Copley Medical Center and RUSH Health.

In a news release, Lateef called it “a pivotal time in the history of the organization.”

“We have great opportunities ahead of us to make positive change happen in our communities, in our patients’ lives and in the way we care for one another,” Lateef said. “But it will not be without challenges. I have no doubt that together as a system, we will continue to set the bar high and overcome those challenges.”

Under Lateef’s leadership, RUSH University Medical Center has earned recognition as one of the country’s top hospitals. The medical center has earned “A” grades from The Leapfrog Group and Newsweek ranked the hospital as the 16th in the country.

Lateef thanked Krishnan for his “extraordinary insights and leadership” and is glad he’s going to continue to serve in an advisory role.

Cedars-Sinai chooses new chief health equity officer

Christina Harris has been named the new vice president and chief health equity officer at Cedars-Sinai.

She’ll lead organization-wide efforts to address gaps in outcomes among minority groups and improve health in the Los Angeles area. She was chosen after a nationwide search.

Harris succeeds Linda Burnes Bolton, senior vice president and Cedars-Sinai's first chief health equity officer. She is retiring after working for more than 50 years at Cedars-Sinai.

Most recently, Harris worked as associate program director in the UCLA Internal Medicine Residency Program. She also worked as associate vice chair of equity, diversity and inclusion for the UCLA Department of Medicine, a position she created.

She began her career as an internist at a Federally Qualified Health Center in New York City that serves the largest public housing community in the country.

Thomas M. Priselac, Cedars-Sinai president and CEO, called Harris the “ideal leader” for the post.

“Dr. Harris combines a profound personal and professional commitment to health equity with deep experience leading clinical, educational and equity initiatives in academic medicine,” Priselac said in a statement.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute chooses senior VP

Jennifer Willcox has been named senior vice president, general counsel and chief governance officer at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

She’ll take the new post beginning June 1. She will serve on the institute’s executive leadership team and oversee commercial, litigation, labor and employment, regulatory and intellectual property matters.

Willcox has been working at Yale New Haven Health,, where she served as vice president of legal services for the five-hospital system.

“I am thrilled to join Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and honored I’ve been asked to lead a team of such high-performing and committed lawyers,” Willcox said in a statement. “I look forward to working with Dana-Farber leadership and the Board of Trustees to help achieve the Institute’s vision of ‘a world free of the bear and burden of cancer.’”

Previously, Willcox was a partner in the healthcare department of Pullman & Comley, representing hospitals and other health organizations.

Scott Alwin has been named the new chief executive officer of Hot Springs Health in Wyoming.

He will start on July 1. He will take over for outgoing CEO Margie Molitor, who’s retiring after six years with the hospital. Alwin has been the chief clinical officer for the hospital since late 2021.

Alwin possesses more than 20 years of healthcare and administrative experience.

“My family and I are thrilled to have this opportunity come up at the place that I’ve called home,” Alwin said in a statement. “It’s been a trying time these past couple years with the pandemic, and I couldn’t be happier to set down roots here at Hot Springs Health.

“The staff and even the patients I’ve had the pleasure of working with have all been extremely kind and welcoming.”

Previously, Alwin was the director of service excellence at Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, and chief ancillary officer at Box Butte General Hospital in Alliance, Nebraska. He was also the rehab director at Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital in Burlington, Colorado.

Articles

In other moves, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute names a new senior vice president, and Hot Springs Health selects a new chief executive.

MED MOVES: RUSH chooses new CEO, Cedars-Sinai hires equity leader, and more

After a career spanning nearly five decades, William B. Farrar, CEO of The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center-– Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, is planning to retire.

Farrar plans to retire June 30, the university announced.

During his 46-year tenure at the cancer center, Farrar performed more than 20,000 surgeries on patients with nearly every kind of malignancy, except brain cancer, the university said.

Later in his career, he focused on breast cancer care and conducting research.

Ohio State University President Kristina M. Johnson said Farrar’s work has had “an immeasurable impact on patients, their families, his colleagues and in our communities.”

“He has seen our cancer program rise to national prominence and played an integral part in its development,” Johnson said in a statement. She also noted he held several leadership posts while continuing to treat patients one-on-one.

Ferrar has held a host of top leadership positions. He served as director of The Ohio State University College of Medicine for 28 years. He spent 22 years as director of medical affairs at the Ohio State cancer center. He became interim CEO of the cancer hospital in 2017 and was named as chief executive in 2019.

He has authored or co-authored more than 100 clinical studies published in scientific journals.

Raphael Pollock, director of the Ohio State cancer center, said in a news release that Farrar cares deeply for his patients.

“He’s a surgeon’s surgeon who performs at the highest level of technical commitment, but equally important are his personal humility, his quiet and professional persona, his quick smile and his very big heart,” Pollock said.

Care New England health leader is stepping down

James E. Fanale has announced his plans to retire as president and CEO of Care New England Health early next year.

After retiring, Fanale plans to continue in a consulting role to guide his successor and advise the board. The system said Fanale and board members will lead a search panel to find a new chief executive.

“Now, after having spent my career doing what I enjoy and feeling that I’ve effectively improved access to state-of-the-art healthcare for all individuals who come to CNE, it’s time to leave the office behind and be with my wonderful wife and children,” Fanale said in a statement.

Charles Reppucci, Care New England’s board chairman, thanked Fanale for his years of leadership.

“He is a stalwart supporter of CNE and a respected community leader on healthcare quality and accessibility.  His successes and accomplishments are extraordinary,” Reppucci said in a statement.

Care New England Health is the parent organization of Butler Hospital, Kent Hospital, Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, Care New England Medical Group, the VNA of Care New England, The Providence Center, and Integra, an accountable care organization.

HCA Healthcare names president of MidAmerica division

Keith Zimmerman has been named the president of HCA Healthcare’s MidAmerica Division, based in Kansas City, Missouri.

HCA Healthcare announced the move last week. Zimmerman will take the post June 13 and lead seven hospitals and a host of other care sites in the Kansas City metro area. He replaces Mel Lagarde, who is retiring after 40 years with HCA Healthcare.

Zimmerman possesses 31 years of experience in the healthcare industry. Since 2017, he has served as CEO of Medical City Arlington, which has received five consecutive “A” grades from the Leapfrog Group, a group focused on patient safety.

He previously served as CEO of Medical City Children’s Hospital, and previously led business development efforts for Medical City Dallas Hospital and Medical City Children’s. He also held leadership posts at other healthcare providers.

Jon Foster, president of HCA Healthcare’s American Group, hailed Zimmerman’s “track

record of strong physician collaboration and a laser focus on clinical quality.”

“His past experience and proven leadership skills will serve him well in his new role,” Zimmerman said in a statement.

Allina Health names president of two hospitals

Josh Shepherd has been selected as the new president of two of Allina Health’s hospitals: Buffalo Hospital and Cambridge Medical Center.

Shepherd is succeeding Kelly Spratt, who was recently promoted to vice president of operations at Abbott Northwestern Hospital. Shepherd previously served as the director of operations at Buffalo Hospital and Cambridge Medical Center.

"I am honored to lead a remarkable group of caregivers at Buffalo Hospital and Cambridge Medical Center,” Shepherd said in a statement.

“I am proud of the work our teams have accomplished and how we’ve pulled together during two of the most difficult years in memory for health care workers,” he said. “I look forward to continuing Allina Health’s transformation to improve the health care experience for all of our patients and communities.”

Shepherd has held leadership roles in healthcare for more than 17 years, including with Intermountain Healthcare in Salt Lake City, Utah and Mercy Health in Janesville, Wisconsin. Before joining Allina Health, Shepherd served as assistant vice president of clinical operations with Intermountain Healthcare.

RWJ Barnabas Health hospital president plans to retire

Anthony V. Cava said he is planning to retire from his position as president and chief executive officer of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset, an RWJBarnabas Health facility.

Cava plans to retire effective Jan. 2, 2023. Patrick Delaney, the hospital’s chief operating officer, will succeed Cava as the hospital’s chief administrative officer, RWJBarnabas Health said.

Cava possesses 35 years of healthcare leadership experience. He joined Somerset in January 2015 and led the hospital through the merger of the Robert Wood Johnson Health System and Barnabas Health 14 months later. He oversaw expansive renovations that modernized virtually every part of the hospital campus.

Delaney joined RWJUH Somerset in March 2015 as administrative director of operations and eventually became chief operating officer in 2020. Delaney also led the hospital’s operational response to the COVID-19 pandemic, overseeing testing and vaccination clinics. He also helped lead the hospital’s transition to the Epic electronic health record system in 2021.

Delaney previously held leadership positions at Bayshore Community Hospital.

Bill Arnold, executive vice president, southern region, RWJBarnabas Health, and president and CEO of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital praised both Cava and Delaney for their leadership.

“Patrick Delaney has worked side-by-side with Tony for the past seven years and brings a broad knowledge and passion for health care operations and business development,” Arnold said in a statement. “He will continue to build on the hospital’s tradition of clinical excellence, positioning it for future growth and ensuring that Central New Jersey residents have access to the highest quality medical care.”

Wisconsin system names chief nursing officer of 2 hospitals

Beth Sekerka has been named chief nursing officer and vice president of patient care for Wisconsin-based Aspirus Health’s southeast division.

Sekerka will oversee nursing operations at two hospitals: Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital and Aspirus Plover Hospital.

She has spent 26 years in nursing and has experience in acute rehabilitation, medical/surgical nursing, intensive care nursing, and hospital supervision.

For the past decade, she has held hospital leadership roles, including medical/surgical manager, inpatient director, and interim vice president/chief nursing officer.

“I enjoy working with leaders and frontline care teams to make the needed enhancements to provide safe, high-quality care for the patients of our community,” Sekerka said in a statement.

Sekerka has been a nurse since 1996 and earned her master of science in nursing degree from Capella University in June 2021. She and her husband and three children live in Rosholt. In her free time, she enjoys reading, baking, and gardening.

Care New England Health's chief executive is stepping down and HCA Healthcare names a new president for its MidAmerica division.

MED MOVES: Ohio State cancer center CEO plans to retire, and more 

Tiffany Capeles has been named the first chief equity officer of Intermountain Healthcare.

Capeles will lead efforts to expand diversity, equity and inclusion efforts throughout Intermountain, a system operating 33 hospitals and a host of clinics and facilities in seven states.

She has worked as director of health equity at CHRISTUS Health, a Texas-based system. Capeles also served in multiple roles at Children’s Health in Texas and at Adventist HealthCare in Maryland.

“I’m very excited to join Intermountain to help continue the important work that’s already underway to ensure that all of the communities we serve are getting the best care possible and feel welcomed and included in their experiences with Intermountain,” she said in a statement. “We have a wonderful foundation here to build on.”

Marc Harrison, Intermountain’s president and CEO, said Capeles will oversee efforts to improve staff diversity and the social determinants of health among the system’s patients.

“Intermountain is determined to lead the nation in eliminating health disparities and bettering the health of everyone in our communities,” Harrison said in a news release. “Tiffany’s leadership and her strong record of achieving greater health equity have earned her the respect of our peers in healthcare along with well-deserved national acclaim.”

In 2021, Capeles received the career achievement award from the National Association of Latino Healthcare Executives. She also was named one of Modern Healthcare’s top 25 emerging leaders.

Intermountain CEO talks about merger with SCL Health

University Hospitals announces president of three Ohio hospitals

Robyn Strosaker has been named president and chief operating officer of University Hospitals Lake West, TriPoint and Beachwood Medical Centers.

She will begin her new appointment June 1, 2022. She succeeds Cynthia Moore-Hardy, who recently completed 25 years of transformative leadership as President of UH Lake Health.

Strosaker has spent the past three years as chief operating officer at UH Cleveland Medical Center, the 1,000-bed academic medical center at the heart of the UH health system. She was credited with leading a host of safety, quality and patient experience efforts and was hailed for her steady leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also served as chief medical officer for the UH Cleveland Medical Center for three years.

Alan Papa, chief operating officer of the UH East Market, outlined her strengths in a news release.

“Dr. Strosaker’s abilities as a team-builder, communicator, problem-solver and physician will help facilitate and continue the ongoing integration of UH and Lake Health into one, unified health system to best serve our patients’ needs,” Papa said.

University of Virginia Medical Center names new COO

Min Y. Lee has been named the new chief operations officer of the University of Virginia Medical Center.

Lee will oversee the medical center’s day-to-day operations. She’s the current vice president of operations at Reading Hospital in Reading, Pa., which is part of the Tower Health system. She’ll take the new job on June 27.

“I am honored to join the UVA Health team during such a pivotal time in our industry,” she said in the statement. “I appreciate the magnitude of this role and responsibility, and I am looking forward to rolling up my sleeves and working alongside UVA Health’s extraordinary team members in service of our community and those who entrust us with their health.”

Before joining Reading Hospital, Lee served as vice president of operations for Emory Healthcare at Emory University Hospital Midtown, an academic medical center in Atlanta, Ga.

Wendy Horton, chief executive officer of UVA Medical Center, called Lee “a strong, engaged leader with a tremendous background as a healthcare leader.”

Seattle Children’s chooses new development officer

Dondi Cupp has been named the new senior vice president and chief development officer of the Seattle Children’s Foundation and Guild Association.

Cupp will take the post June 2. He will lead all of Seattle Children’s philanthropic efforts.

He joins Seattle Children’s from Oregon Health & Science University Foundation, where he has served as senior vice president and chief development officer and was responsible for a comprehensive fundraising program, where he helped lead a $2 billion campaign.

“Seattle Children’s just ended a very successful ‘It Starts With Yes’ campaign, but the work of ensuring access to equitable healthcare for patients regardless of their family’s ability to pay never stops,” Cupp said in a statement. 

“I’m excited to work closely with the hospital’s leaders and our generous community to direct the Seattle Children’s Foundation into its next chapter of philanthropy and fundraising priorities.”

Cupp has spent more than 34 years in fundraising, first serving as associate director of the Western Washington University Foundation in Bellingham. He later moved to the University of Washington as senior director of development for the sciences and later became assistant vice president of advancement. 

Cupp spent several years as associate vice president for development at the University of Michigan’s office of university development.

New CEO takes over at Woman’s Hospital in Baton Rouge

Rene Ragas has begun his new role as president and chief executive officer of Woman’s Hospital in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Ragas took the post May 9. He’s the former Northshore Market President for Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System. He also served as CEO of Our Lady of the Angels Hospital in Bogalusa.

A lifelong resident of Louisiana, Ragas possesses more than two decades of experience as a healthcare executive. He also led Our Lady of the Lake Surgical Hospital in Slidell and Our Lady of the Lake Pontchartrain Surgery Center in Mandeville. He also managed a network of more than 60 primary care and specialty physicians in the Northshore region.

Ragas is familiar with Woman’s Hospital beyond professional reasons. All three of his children were born at the hospital.

“I have admired the passion and commitment of Woman’s to its mission for many years as a member of the local healthcare community, but the personal connection I have from experiencing the exceptional care that was provided to my wife and our children is incredibly meaningful to me,” Ragas said in a statement. 

“I’m excited to be joining the team today and to help solidify the legacy that has been established at Woman’s and carry it well into the future.”

Palmdale Regional Medical Center CEO plans to retire

Richard “Dick” Allen, CEO of Palmdale Regional Medical Center in California, has announced his plans to retire.

Allen, the chief executive of the medical center for nearly a decade, will step down effective May 16. He has spent more than 40 years in healthcare, holding a host of leadership posts at acute care hospitals and rehabilitation facilities.

He has also held leadership posts with the American Hospital Association, the California Hospital Association, and the Kansas Hospital Association.

At Palmdale, he helped secure an agreement with City of Hope to expand access to cancer services. Under his leadership, the medical center also opened a rehabilitation unit for patients with strokes, traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries.

Richard Norris, chairman of Palmdale’s board, said Allen’s retirement is well earned.

“We appreciate Dick’s commitment to Palmdale Regional and the healthcare of the Antelope Valley and thank him for his many contributions. His leadership in business development and hospital services expansion will be felt for many years to come,” Norris said in a statement.

University Hospitals selects a president for three Ohio hospitals, University of Virginia Medical Center chooses a CEO, and other leaders fill new posts.  


MED MOVES: Intermountain Healthcare names first chief equity officer, and more

Wright L. Lassiter III will take over one of America’s largest health systems.

Lassiter, the CEO of Henry Ford Health, has agreed to become the next chief executive officer of CommonSpirit Health, starting on Aug. 1. He will succeed Lloyd H. Dean, who announced his plans to retire last year.

The CEO of Henry Ford Health since 2016, Lassiter possesses more than 30 years of experience and is well versed at managing large health systems. When he takes over at CommonSpirit, Lassiter will lead a system of 140 hospitals and more than 1,500 sites of care across 21 states. CommonSpirit, a nonprofit Catholic system, operates brands including Dignity Health, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, CHI Health, Centura Health, and Baylor St. Luke’s.

Lassiter is also the chairman of the board of the American Hospital Association.

He has led Henry Ford Health through the COVID-19 pandemic. During a forum organized by the AHA in January, Lassiter saluted the staff as it just endured the peak in COVID-19 hospitalizations due to the Omicron variant. “Our organization continues to bear a significant burden,” he said in January.

At CommonSpirit, Lassiter will focus on strengthening the system financially in the wake of the pandemic and supporting the health of the system’s doctors, nurses and staff.

“CommonSpirit plays a special and indispensable role in communities across America,” Lassiter said in a statement. 

“I’m honored to have the opportunity to lead this organization, which is a driving force for access to high-quality, essential services for all," he said. "I look forward to working with CommonSpirit’s Board, leadership team, our talented nurses and physicians, and all of our employees to help advance the health of those we serve.”

UCLA cancer center choose new diversity leader

Amy L. Cummings has been named the new director for justice, equity, diversion and inclusion at the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Cummings is an assistant professor of medicine in the David Geffen School of Medicine’s department of medicine, hematology/oncology. She is a thoracic oncologist and scientists. She has focused on early stage lung cancer, precision medicine and equitable care.

“UCLA’s diversity has always been its biggest strength, and I am deeply honored to serve in this role at the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center,” Cummings said in a statement. 

“The opportunity to rigorously evaluate our systems for opportunities for justice, to listen to and engage with our communities to understand what is meaningful change, and to promote the incredible work at the cancer center is a tremendous gift.”

Cummings has served as the Informatics Chair of the UCLA Health Equitable Care Committee. She led UCLA”s effort to develop electronic medical record affirmation of sex, name and gender identity.

Akron Children’s Hospital names top academic officer

Michael Forbes has been named the new chief academic officer at Akron Children’s Hospital.

It’s a new post that will oversee the hospital’s research and medical education divisions. Forbes assumes the William H. and Rebecca D. Considine Endowed Chair in Research. He succeeds Dr. Bruce Cohen, who has been serving as interim vice president and medical director of the research institute since 2019.

Forbes joined Akron Children’s in 2006 as an attending physician in the hospital’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. He also serves in several leadership roles and is currently interim chair of the pediatrics department and past president of the medical staff. He has led research efforts in the PICU.

Chris Gessner, president and CEO of Akron Children’s, said Forbes is well suited for the post. Forbes will focus on developing population health and health service research.

“Dr. Forbes is a highly respected physician leader, who will bring great energy and creativity to this role,” Gessner said in a statement. 

“He will actively seek out and develop opportunities to attract scholars, researchers and new sources of research funding; improve the experiences of students and providers in our training programs; and partner with other clinicians and educational leaders to explore the potential for creating additional accredited fellowship programs in pediatric subspecialties.”

David Flicek has been chosen as the new chief operating officer for Avera Health in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Flicek will also continue his duties as chief administrative officer for Avera Medical Group.

He currently serves as president and CEO of Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center. The system said a search will begin soon to find a new top leader at Avera McKennan.

Flicek took the post as Avera McKennan’s top administrator in 2017.

“Avera’s health ministry has seen significant growth in recent years,” Bob Sutton, Avera president and CEO, said in a statement. “Under David’s leadership, Avera has added a new specialty hospital, expanded our behavioral health services, added two family health centers with free-standing emergency departments, extended our Avera Cancer Institute into our regions and replaced several critical access hospitals for our rural communities.”

Flicek has been with Avera since 1995 and has held a host of important posts. He has led Avera Medical Group since 2008, helping the group grow from seven providers to over 1,200 who practice in more than 60 specialties.

Alaska hospital hires new behavioral health officer

Tracy Dompeling has been tapped as the chief behavioral health officer of Bartlett Regional Hospital in Alaska.

She will begin serving in the new post on June 20. Dompeling will lead a staff of 100 behavioral health professionals.

Dompeling serves as the director of Alaska’s Division of Juvenile Justice. She has oversight of over 400 employees and manages an annual budget of $58 million. She possesses over 20 years of leadership and project management experience in Alaska.

She said she was excited to join the leadership team.

“Having accessible services for our family, friends and neighbors during times of crisis and to meet their individualized needs is critical,” she said in a statement. “I am honored to be taking on this role and look forward to building relationships with staff throughout the organization to ensure appropriate and effective services are provided.”

Nate Moore, will be joining TCARE, Inc. as its new chief operating officer.

TCARE uses cloud-based technology to support caregivers and help families avoid or at least delay having to move loved ones into long-term care facilities.

Moore spent 14 years at Centene Corporation, where he held a number of leadership positions. He led the rollout of the Affordable Care Act insurance program in Washington state and also headed teams supporting clinical and data services. Before joining Centene, he spent nearly 10 years with EY, the consulting firm, and focused on healthcare and health technology.

Ali Ahmadi, CEO of TCARE, said Moore played a critical role in propelling Centene to a company with a $125 billion market cap, up from $1 billion.

“This experience brings invaluable skills to an organization that has grown 15X in the last 24 months and expects to quadruple in size within the next 12 months,” Ahmadi said in a statement.

"Nate's no-nonsense drive combined with his business background in healthcare and technology is completely aligned with the future direction of TCARE,” Ahmadi said.

In other news, Akron Children's Hospital names new academic leader, UCLA's cancer center names new diversity chief, and others take new roles. 

MED MOVES: Wright Lassiter jumps to CommonSpirit Health, and more

Steven R. Newton has been selected as executive vice president and chief growth officer of Baylor Scott & White Health, the largest nonprofit health system in Texas.

Nelson began in his new role on April 25.

"Steve is known as a trusted and progressive leader with an unrivaled knowledge of our markets," Baylor Scott & White CEO Pete McCanna said in a statement. "His understanding of competitive opportunities across the state will guide us as we expand access to high-quality care for the millions of Texans we serve."

Newton has nearly 35 years of healthcare experience and has been with Baylor Scott & White since 2004. He most recently led two North Texas regions, including six hospitals, and served as president of Baylor University Medical Center. He has also served as president of Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Grapevine and Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center – Fort Worth.

In his time with Baylor Scott & White, Nelson is credited with leading his teams to improve patient experience and clinical outcomes.

"I have spent the past 18 years working alongside my Baylor Scott & White colleagues to expand access, explore new partnerships and strengthen relationships with trusted providers," Newton said. 

"It is a privilege to work for an organization deeply committed to those it serves, and I look forward to finding new ways to deliver high-quality care when, where and how our customers want it."

A search will be conducted to fill Newton's role at Baylor University Medical Center. For now, Kyle Armstrong, the hospital's chief operating officer, will serve as interim president.

Baylor Scott & White operates 51 hospitals and more than 1,100 access points.

Paul Ramsey, CEO of UW Medicine, has announced his plans to retire this summer.

Ramsey plans to step down as CEO of UW Medicine and dean of the School of Medicine on June 30. He will fully retired from the University of Washington on July 31.

Ramsey is concluding a career at UW Medicine that has lasted for more than four decades. He has served as CEO of UW Medicine since 1997.

In a letter to faculty and staff, Ramsey wrote, “UW Medicine has grown dramatically over the past 40 years, but the core values that attracted me to spend the majority of my career here remain.” “When I think of the many colleagues with whom I have worked, words that come immediately to mind are integrity, respect, collaboration, commitment to excellence, innovation, humility, and caring.”

Ramsey also saluted the UW Medicine staff for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic. “You have been global leaders in the clinical, research, public health, and learning response to the pandemic,” he wrote.

Boulder Medical Center appoints first female CEO

Donna Basden has been named chief executive officer of the Boulder Medical Center, making her the first female CEO of the organization.

Basden joined the medical center on April 4, succeeding Interim CEO Mindy Markley, who retired. She brings over 30 years of experience in the healthcare field across complex academic, not-for-profit, and for-profit environments. She previously served as the chief operating officer of Lovelace Medical Group at Lovelace Health System in New Mexico.

“It is an honor to join Boulder Medical Center, an organization committed to improving the health and well-being of the citizens in our community,” Basden said in a statement. “BMC’s commitment to patient-centered care is more than words. I have witnessed a consistent theme in the way care decisions are made and care is delivered throughout the organization. Everyone is enthusiastic about doing the right thing for our patients.”

“I am passionate about caring for people and am thrilled to partner with an organization that aligns with my values,” she said.

Allina Health selects Minneapolis hospital leader

David Joos has been selected as the new president of Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, Allina Health announced.

Joos will take the position when Ann Madden Rice retires in May 2022. Joos is currently vice president of operations at the hospital, a role he has held since 2018.

He possesses more than 20 years of healthcare leadership experience in several systems. Before joining Allina Health, he served as division vice president of operations at KentuckyOne Health in Louisville, Ky., where he led operations at Jewish Hospital. He also oversaw access and care coordination across the delivery system’s 13 hospitals.

He has experience leading patient access, outpatient services and operations at Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids, Mich., and OhioHealth in Columbus, Ohio.

“It is a great honor to begin this new role with Allina Health at Abbott Northwestern Hospital,” Joos said in a statement. 

“It is an outstanding team, and it’s clear why the work of the medical staff at Abbott Northwestern Hospital is recognized among the top in the nation," Joos said. "The commitment to realizing all the connected needs of a patient and the focus on delivering seamless Whole Person Care are consistently carried out at Abbott Northwestern Hospital.”

Allina Health operates 11 hospitals and more than 90 clinics in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Pamela M. Sutton-Wallace has been selected as the new chief operating officer at Yale New Haven Health.

She’ll take the job beginning July 11. Sutton-Wallace has been with New York Presbyterian Hospital since 2019, most recently serving as group senior vice president and COO of the Weill Cornell Division providing operational oversight for four campuses.

Sutton-Wallace spent more than five years at University of Virginia (UVA) Health where she served as the CEO of the UVA Medical Center and later moved into the role of interim leader of the UVA Health Enterprise. She started her academic health system career as an administrative fellow at Duke University Health System in North Carolina. 

In her 17 years at Duke, she held a variety of roles, eventually serving as the senior vice president of Hospital Operations at Duke University Hospital.

“I consider it a privilege to join Yale New Haven Health alongside the extraordinary team of healthcare professionals, caregivers and physicians,” she said in a statement. “I welcome the opportunity to advance the mission, strategic direction and culture of this distinguished health system as together we serve our community and promote health equity.”

Heather Getz has been promoted to the position of executive vice president and chief financial officer at the Butterfly Network.

Getz takes the new post effective May 2. She previously spent 12 years at BioTelemetry, Inc., a remote medical technology company. She served as executive vice president and chief financial and administrative officer. She also held  financial leadership positions at Alita Pharmaceuticals, VIASYS Healthcare, and Sunoco.

UW Medicine’s longtime CEO announces plans to retire, Boulder Medical Center hires its first female chief executive, and more leaders take new positions.

CHE Staff

Articles

MED MOVES: RUSH chooses new CEO, Cedars-Sinai hires equity leader, and more

MED MOVES: Ohio State cancer center CEO plans to retire, and more

MED MOVES: Intermountain Healthcare names first chief equity officer, and more

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MED MOVES: Baylor Scott & White Health selects exec VP, and more

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