CoxHealth names pediatric health leader | MED MOVES

Sarah Becker has been named the leader of a new joint venture between CoxHealth and St. Louis Children’s Hospital.

Becker has been appointed the vice president and administrator of St. Louis Children’s at CoxHealth. CoxHealth and St. Louis Children’s Hospital have established a partnership to expand pediatric care in Springfield and southwest Missouri.

She will begin her new role Dec. 1.

A speech pathologist, Becker has served as director of therapy and audiology services at St. Louis Children’s.

Ashley Casad, senior vice president and president of Springfield hospitals at CoxHealth, said Becker is an ideal choice to lead the new venture.

“Her experience leading at St. Louis Children’s Hospital and her deep commitment to improving care for kids make her an incredible addition to southwest Missouri,” Casad said in a statement. “Her growth mindset and collaborative spirit will be instrumental as we expand access and elevate care for children and families across our region.”

The project involves the development of a new pediatric hospital. In 2026, construction will begin on a new outpatient center with ambulatory surgery, pediatric specialty care clinics, and other services.

Pediatric specialists from the Washington University School of Medicine are also participating in the joint venture.

American Telemedicine Association announces leadership change

After seven years leading the American Telemedicine Association, Ann Mond Johnson has announced her plans to retire.

The association also announced that Kyle Zebley will succeed Mond Johnson as the news chief executive officer. Zebley is the ATA’ senior vice president of public policy and executive director of ATA Action, the group’s advocacy arm.

Zebley will take over as CEO on Dec. 10. He will continue to serve as ATA Action’s executive director.

“It has been a remarkable journey and privilege to guide the work of the ATA through this transformative period. I am proud of our incredible accomplishments, especially our work creating actionable tools to help organizations improve access to needed care, and the talented, dedicated team behind our success,” Mond Johnson said in a statement.

Mond Johnson said she has worked closely with Zebley and said he’s the right choice to lead the organization.

For his part, Zebley said he’s aiming to build on the group’s success in representing the needs of telehealth providers and patients.

“As we look to the future, I’m energized by the opportunity to build on that strong foundation and continue advancing the ATA and ATA Action’s mission, driving innovation, strengthening collaboration across the healthcare ecosystem, and ensuring that every American has access to safe, high-quality, technology-enabled care,” Zebley said.

• Read more: Telehealth gets a short extension and faces a looming deadline

Dignity Health names president of two hospitals

Doug Kleam has been named the president of two Dignity Health hospitals: St. John’s Regional Medical Center and St. John’s Camarillo Hospital.

Kleam begins his new role on Dec. 1. He currently serves as Hospital President at Dignity Health – St. Bernardine Medical Center in San Bernardino, a title he has held since 2017. Under his leadership, the medical center’s CMS rating rose from two stars to four stars.

Kleam said he’s looking forward to leading the two hospitals serving Ventura County, California.

"I am incredibly honored and excited to join both St. John’s Hospitals as the new President,” Kleam said in a statement.

“Both hospitals have a strong legacy of compassionate care and innovation, and I am deeply committed to building upon that foundation,” Bleam said. “My top priority will always be our patients – ensuring they receive the highest quality, most accessible care possible, delivered with empathy and respect. I look forward to collaborating with our exceptional staff and the community to further advance our mission."

Southern New Hampshire Health appoints transformation officer

Andrew Watt has been named chief clinical integration and transformation officer of Southern New Hampshire Health.

A practicing emergency medicine physician, Watt’s appointment marks his return to the organization. He left the system to take a role as chief medical information officer and chief information officer at Catholic Medical Center.

Colin McHugh, president and CEO of Southern New Hampshire Health, said he is glad to have Watt back in the system.

“Dr. Watt’s return marks an exciting step forward for Southern New Hampshire Health,” McHugh said in a statement. “His deep expertise in clinical informatics and health IT, along with his ongoing experience as a practicing physician, will strengthen our ongoing efforts to advance technology and innovation in care delivery, enhancing the already modern, high-quality care we provide to our community.”

Watt began his career in health information technology as an electronic medical record installer and software developer for Meditech.