Central New York hospital system announces next CEO, and more | MED MOVES

Robert Lawlis has been named the next CEO of Centralus Health in New York.

Robert Lawlis, left, and Dr. Martin Stallone,

Lawlis will succeed Dr. Martin Stallone, who is stepping down. Officials with the system described the transition as a “long-standing succession plan.” Lawlis will take over as CEO on Nov. 7.

Centralus is a system formed by the merger of Arnot Health and Cayuga Health, a deal that was finalized in January. The system operates five hospitals serving New York’s Finger Lakes and Southern Tier regions.

Lawlis has been with Cayuga Health for 17 years and serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Cayuga Health Partners. He also serves as the CEO of Xtensys, a Centralus Health technology company that supports clinics, hospitals and physician practices.

Lawlis said he looks to “build on the incredible work of Dr. Stallone and our team.”

“We will continue to optimize the advanced systems recently implemented to make better decisions to care for our community and control costs; realize and maximize efficiencies from affiliation of Arnot Health and Cayuga Health; and identify additional innovative solutions that keep the delivery of healthcare local,” he said in a statement.

Stallone said that he expects Lawlis “will further advance Centralus Health as a best-in-class integrated delivery network.

“He is ideally prepared to continue efforts to integrate different parts of our health system, to advance the services we offer our communities, and to continue Centralus Health’s commitment to population health,” Stallone said in a statement.

Ben Wells

Indiana hospital system elevates interim CEO

After serving in an interim capacity for several months, Ben Wells has been named the new president and CEO of Reid Health in Richmond, Indiana.

Wells has served as acting CEO since February. He succeeded Craig Kinyon, who requested an indefinite leave of absence after he served as president and CEO for nearly 17 years.

Wells said he welcomes the chance to lead Reid Health.

"Our staff works incredibly hard each day to be our best, providing you with the compassionate, high-quality care you expect and deserve from us,” Wells said. “It's a privilege to serve those who entrust us with their health and the health of their loved ones."

Reid Health’s board opted to stick with Wells after what the system called an “extensive” search. Mark Harrington, chair of the Reid Health Governing Board, called Wells “the ideal candidate.”

"He's done an outstanding job over these past six months, and we're confident his leadership will take us where we need to go into the future,” Harrington said in a statement.

Wells becomes the system’s eight CEO. He joined Reid Health in July 2024 as the chief financial officer, and brings 15 years of healthcare experience.

Reid Health operates a 189-bed hospital and serves six counties in Indiana and two in neighboring Ohio.

Dr. Kay Yoon-Flannery

AtlantiCare announces head of women’s oncology

Dr. Kay Yoon-Flannery has been named chief of women's oncology at the AtlantiCare Cancer Care Institute.

A breast surgical oncologist known, Yoon-Flannery will lead the expansion of the New Jersey health system’s Women's Oncology Program. The aim is to align breast, gynecologic and genetic cancer services.

"I'm honored to be joining the AtlantiCare Cancer Care Institute as Chief of Women's Oncology," Yoon-Flannery said in a statement. "This is an opportunity to bring breast, gynecologic and genetic cancer services together under one program, making care easier to access and navigate. My vision is for women to feel supported and connected through every stage of their journey, without having to piece it together on their own."

The AtlantiCare Cancer Care is affiliated with the Cleveland Clinic Cancer Institute. AtlantiCare formed a partnership with the Cleveland Clinic last year to expand cancer services to patients.

Joseph V. Lombardi, MD, chief physician executive at AtlantiCare, called Yoon-Flannery “a women's healthcare visionary and a gifted surgeon who understands how to deliver care around the whole patient.”

"Her appointment as Chief of Women's Oncology represents a turning point in how cancer care for women will be delivered across South Jersey," he said in a statement.

Sarah Sanders

Baptist Health hires chief consumer officer

Sarah C. Sanders has been named executive vice president and chief consumer officer of Baptist Health.

Sanders joins Baptist Health from University of California, San Francisco/UCSF Health, where she served as vice president, chief marketing and communications officer. She brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in marketing and communications within health care.

“It’s a privilege to join an institution so deeply rooted in the community and trusted by generations of patients and families,” Sanders said in a statement. “I’m looking forward to strengthening these connections so that we can continue to meet patients where they are, providing guidance and care that truly fits their needs.”

Sanders will lead all communications and engagement efforts across Baptist Health’s service area in northeast Florida and southeast Georgia.

Michael A. Mayo, president and CEO of Baptist Health, called Sanders a “mission-focused leader with a remarkable ability to get to the heart of a community’s health care needs.”

“Her leadership will be invaluable as we continue to build meaningful relationships with our patients, ensuring they feel seen, heard and cared for throughout every step of their health care journey,” Mayo said in a statement.