Duke Health’s new CEO is a familiar face, and more | MED MOVES

The next leader of the Duke University Health System has plenty of experience with the organization.

Duke Health has named Dr. David Zaas as the next chief executive officer of the system. He’ll begin in his new role on May 1.

Zaas is president and CEO of Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, and he also serves as executive vice president of health affairs for Wake Forest University.

But he spent nearly 20 years with Duke Health, serving with the system from 2001 to 2020. He served as president of Duke Raleigh Hospital from 2014 to 2020.

Duke Health operates four hospitals: Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, and Duke Health Lake Norman Hospital. The system also operates 250 clinic locations, along with outpatient and specialty care facilities.

“I am honored to return to Duke and energized to lead Duke University Health System during this next phase of growth,” Zaas said in a statement. “It is a privilege to work alongside such outstanding team members as we expand our impact, strengthen our academic mission, and continue to set the standard for academic health systems nationally.”

Nancy Schlichting, chair of Duke Health’s Board of Directors, calls Zaas “an outstanding leader with a proven record of advancing excellence in health care at all levels.”

“During this challenging time for health care organizations, David is the right person to lead DUHS and I look forward to working with him to build on our longstanding tradition of excellence,” Schlichting said in a statement.

Duke Health’s former CEO, Craig T. Albanese, MD, left last September to become president of Kaiser Permanente.

UNC Health names new market president

Ernie Bovio has been appointed the new regional president of UNC Health’s Southeast Coastal market.

It’s a new position for UNC Health. In the role, Bovio will oversee UNC Health’s operations in an area of North Carolina that is seeing significant growth. He will oversee an area that includes Onslow Memorial Hospital and help support UNC Health’s growing presence in the area.

Most recently, Bovio served as president of Novant Health’s Coastal Region in southeastern North Carolina.

But he has significant experience with UNC Health. He previously led UNC Health’s Triangle East Region, including UNC Health Rex in Raleigh and Holly Springs, and UNC Health Johnston in Smithfield and Clayton.

Jeff Lindsay, president and chief operating officer of UNC Health, praised Bovio’s knowledge of the region.

“For far too many families in the Southeast, accessing specialized care means a two-hour drive to Chapel Hill. Ernie’s leadership will help change that — bringing the full strength of UNC Health’s academic medicine closer to the communities that need it most,” Lindsay said in a statement.

Dartmouth Cancer Center announces next director

Dr. Roy S. Herbst has been named the next director of Dartmouth Cancer Center.

Dartmouth Health says Herbst will focus on expanding cancer research and education, working with the health system’s 14 hospitals and clinics.

Herbst will begin his new role in July. He comes to Dartmouth from Yale, where he served as deputy director and chief of medical oncology and hematology at Yale Cancer Center and Smilow Cancer Hospital in New Haven, Connecticut.

“I am honored to lead Dartmouth Cancer Center at this defining moment and to join a nationally recognized team at the forefront of cancer care, research, and education,” Herbst said in a news release.

“Building on this strong foundation, I am committed to bold, collaborative leadership that drives transformative innovation, expands equitable access to world-class care, and accelerates the translation of scientific discovery into meaningful improvements for our patients,” Herbst said.

Joanne M. Conroy, MD, CEO and president of Dartmouth Health, points out that the cancer center is the only one in New England not in a major urban hub.

“With Dr. Herbst at the helm of our Cancer Center, we are poised to grow our reach and capabilities to greater heights than ever before, as our clinicians and researchers continue their mission toward a world without cancer,” she said in a statement.

HCA Midwest hospital welcomes new CEO

Dan Astleford recently took over as the new chief executive officer of Belton Regional Medical Center.

The hospital is part of HCA Midwest Health in Kansas City, a division of HCA Healthcare. Astleford succeeds longtime CEO Todd Krass, who led the hospital for more than 20 years.

Astleford possesses more than 15 years of healthcare leadership experience. He most recently served as chief operating officer of Centerpoint Medical Center, a position he held since 2019. He also led operations for HCA Healthcare facilities in Louisiana and Tennessee.

“I’m honored to join the team at Belton Regional Medical Center and continue building on the strong foundation already in place,” Astleford said. “This hospital has a long history of caring for its community, and I look forward to working alongside our physicians, nurses and colleagues to expand access to high-quality care for the families we serve.HCA Midwest Health President Keith Zimmerman praised his expertise.

“Dan is a thoughtful and collaborative leader who understands how to build strong teams while keeping patients at the center of every decision,” Zimmerman said in a statement.