California Hospital Association CEO plans to retire, and more | MED MOVES

After leading the California Hospital Association for nearly a decade, Carmela Coyle has announced plans to retire in 2027.

Coyle has spent 44 years working on healthcare policy. She has been president and CEO of the California Hospital Association since 2017. She also spent 20 years working with the American Hospital Association.

During her tenure as CEO of the California Hospital Association, Coyle confronted the COVID-19 pandemic. She also has been speaking out about the growing financial pressures on California’s hospitals and the need for more state and federal support. She has also sought to draw attention to other problems for hospitals, including delays in discharges that are forcing hospitals to continue holding patients that no longer require acute care.

Julie Sprengel, president and CEO of CommonSpirit Health’s California region, is chairwoman of the California Hospital Association Board of Trustees. Sprengel saluted Coyle’s “unparalleled commitment” to California hospitals.

“Carmela’s strong leadership, steady hand, and deep policy and political acumen have helped ensure that hospitals can continue providing the care millions of Californians rely on, despite the many challenges facing hospitals today,” Sprengel said in a statement.

She added, “Her energy, conviction, and unwavering belief in the vital role hospitals play in our state will be missed.”

The association, which represents nearly 400 hospitals, will conduct a national search for Coyle’s successor. The group tapped WittKieffer, an executive search firm, to help find a new leader.

Dignity Health names new market president

BJ Predum has begun a new role as president of Dignity Health’s Central Coast market.

He took the post on Feb. 2. In his new role, he will oversee seven hospitals. The Dignity Health network is a member of CommonSpirit Health, a Catholic system that’s one of the nation’s biggest nonprofit hospital organizations.

Predum joined Dignity Health in 2022 as the Hospital President of Mercy Hospitals Bakersfield. Most recently, he served as the Central Valley Market President since March 2024. Before joining Dignity Health, Predum served as the regional vice president and chief operating officer position with Ascension’s Michigan West Region.

"I am incredibly honored and excited to step into the role of Central Coast Market President for Dignity Health," Predum said in a statement.. "The Central Coast is a vibrant community, and I look forward to working alongside our dedicated teams to continue advancing Dignity Health's mission of delivering compassionate, high-quality care. Together, we will build upon the strong foundation here, ensuring our services meet the needs of the communities we serve with excellence and integrity.”

Children’s Nebraska appoints chief information officer

Ryan M. Cameron has been named executive vice president and chief information and innovation officer of Children’s Nebraska.

Cameron will oversee the pediatric system’s digital strategy, including data analytics and cybersecurity, among others. He brings more than 25 years of experience to the role, including serving as vice president of technology and innovation at Children’s Nebraska.

He said he sees Children’s Nebraska leading “pediatric healthcare’s next chapter.”

“Our community and the team at Children’s Nebraska inspire me to support, build and deliver a technological roadmap that’s transformative for patients, families, clinicians and the organization,” Cameron said in a statement. “I see an immediate future where everyone is empowered with incredible tools and resources, where equitable digital access is the norm, AI augments pediatric care safely and innovation is embedded into every process.”

Cameron has been recognized as the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives’ 2025 Innovator of the Year.

Chanda Chacón, president and CEO of Children’s Nebraska, said Cameron is “a passionate advocate for pediatric healthcare innovation with a strong track record of growth and impact at Children’s and in other complex environments.”

HSHS CEO chairs Illinois Health and Hospital Association

Damond Boatwright, president and chief executive officer of Hospital Sisters Health System, has begun serving as the chairman of the board for the Illinois Health and Hospital Association.

The HSHS leader will chair the association’s board for a year. His term began Jan. 1.

The association represents more than 200 hospitals and nearly 40 health systems across Illinois.

A.J. Wilhelmi, president and CEO of the Illinois Health and Hospital Association, said in a news release that he’s confident in Boatwright’s leadership.

“Damond brings an extraordinary depth of experience and a proven record of leadership to this role,” Wilhelmi said. “I look forward to the insight, collaboration, and strategic perspective he will bring to IHA as we address critical health policy issues on behalf of our membership.”

Boatwright has served as president and CEO of HSHS in June 2021. He previously served as regional president of SSM Health in Wisconsin.