CHRISTUS Health selects first leader for New Mexico, and more | MED MOVES

Lillian Montoya has been named the senior vice president for CHRISTUS Health’s New Mexico region.

Lillian Montoya

A native of New Mexico, Montoya is filling a newly created role for the organization. She will oversee CHRISTUS Health’s initiatives in New Mexico.

She will also continue in her position as president and CEO of CHRISTUS St. Vincent Health System.

Montoya has been a part of the CHRISTUS Health ministry for more than 11 years, serving in a number of leadership roles.

“I am deeply honored to step into this regional leadership role,” Montoya said in a statement. “I look forward to continuing our work in caring for the many—alongside our incredible caregivers and partners— ensuring that our communities receive the very best care, grounded in compassion and excellence.”

Ernie Sadau, CHRISTUS Health president and CEO, said that Montoya is well suited for the new position.

“Lillian Montoya is a purpose-driven leader who has delivered outstanding results and inspired transformation in every role she’s held,” Sadau said in a statement. “Her expanded role positions us to unify and further the care we provide throughout New Mexico.”

Steve Smoot

Advocate Health appoints president for North Carolina, Georgia division

Steve Smoot has been appointed the new president of Advocate Health’s North Carolina and Georgia division.

Smoot will begin serving in the new role on June 2. He succeeds Ken Haynes, who was recently named executive vice president and chief enterprise services officer for Advocate Health.

Smoot has more than 25 years of health care leadership experience, having most recently served as chief operating officer for SSM Health, which operates 23 hospitals. He previously served as associate chief operating officer at Intermountain Healthcare.

Eugene A. Woods, CEO of Advocate Health, said Smoot will make a strong addition to Advocate Health.

“Steve brings over 25 years of health care leadership, most recently serving as Chief Operating Officer at SSM Health, where he oversaw 23 hospitals and 300+ physician practices, helping improve access and outcomes,” Woods said in a statement. “Beyond his resume, Steve shares our values and will help us deliver on our purpose: to redefine care for all.”

Andy Munce

Sanford Health names leader of Sioux Falls region

Andy Munce has been named the president and CEO of Sanford’s Health Sioux Falls, South Dakota region.

Munce previously served as the chief operating officer of the Sioux Falls region and as the interim president and CEO of the region.

He has more than 20 years of experience in the healthcare sector. Munce began his career with Sanford Health as a registered nurse in the surgical cardiovascular unit, and has held a number of leadership roles in the organization.

“It is an honor to lead the incredible caregivers and dedicated staff in the Sioux Falls region of Sanford Health where we all have the same goal – to deliver the highest quality care to every patient,” Munce said in a statement.

“Our team will continue to look for opportunities to increase access to care and expand services that improve the quality of life for those in our communities such as constructing homes for homeless veterans through the Veterans Community Project or addressing food insecurity with the Kid’s Kitchen at Sanford Children’s.”

Dr. Joseph MacDonald

Penn State Health names chief medical officer of Lancaster hospital

Dr. Joseph MacDonald has been named the vice president and chief medical officer at Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center.

MacDonald began serving in the post on April 7. He’ll oversee all clinical activities at the hospital, which opened in 2022.

Most recently, MacDonald served as chair of the Department of Medicine at UPMC Harrisburg, West Shore and UPMC Community Osteopathic. Previously, he was vice president of the medical staff at UPMC Lititz.

For six years, he led the hospitalist service line for seven hospitals for UPMC in central Pennsylvania.

Before joining UPMC, MacDonald was a primary care provider and hospitalist for more than a decade.

MacDonald also served as a physician with the Army during combat deployment to Iraq, reaching the rank of major. He served as battalion surgeon with the 327th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division.