Lee Health’s new CEO takes over | MED MOVES

Ben Spence has spent more than three decades with Lee Health in Florida, but he is now leading the organization.

Spence took over as president and chief executive officer of Lee Health on Oct. 1. He previously served as Lee Health’s chief operating officer.

Spence succeeds the retiring Dr. Larry Antonucci, who led Lee Health for nine years. The system announced the plan to name Spence as CEO in June.

Joseph Catti, chair of the Lee Health Board of Directors, said in June that Spence was chosen after the system conducted a national search.

“Throughout the process, Ben distinguished himself through his deep understanding of our mission, proven leadership experience, and clear vision for the future of healthcare in Southwest Florida,” Catti said in a statement.

Spence joined Lee Health in 1995 and has held a number of leadership roles, including previously serving as the system’s chief financial officer.

After he was announced as the next CEO in June, Spence said, “We will continue building on Lee Health's strong foundation while advancing the exceptional care and services our patients and communities depend on.”

Lee Health operates four acute care hospitals, a children’s hospital, two rehabilitation hospitals, and associated outpatient care facilities.

Tallahassee Memorial names head of physician network

Darin Jordan, MD, has been named president and chief physician enterprise officer of TMH Physician Partners, a division of Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare.

The network includes doctors, advanced practice providers and practice leaders across the organization’s ambulatory clinics and acute care facilities. He takes the new role as Tallahassee Memorial and Florida State University are launching a new academic health system dubbed FSU Health.

Mark O'Bryant, CEO of Tallahassee Memorial Health, noted Jordan is joining the organization at “a pivotal time.”

"As our physician enterprise continues to grow and our partnership with Florida State University creates new opportunities to advance care, education and research, we need a leader who can bring people together around a shared vision through FSU Health,” O’Bryant said in a statement. “Dr. Jordan’s collaborative leadership style will help us build a highly integrated network that is prepared to meet the evolving healthcare needs of our region."

Jordan said he is looking forward to helping expand access to care.

"We have a new opportunity to unite our collective strengths to create a healthcare system that is more connected, collaborative and responsive,” Jordan said in a statement. “By working together, we can continue expanding access to high-quality care while strengthening the exceptional patient experience TMH is known for.”

UMass Memorial appoints chief financial officer

Jeff Biesczat has been named chief financial officer of UMass Memorial Health.will

Biesczat joined the system in early September. He will succeed Sergio Melgar, who plans to retire in January 2027.

Biesczat brings more than 25 years of financial leadership experience to the role. He previously worked for 14 years with Endeavor Health in the Chicago area, most recently as senior vice president of finance and accounting.

He will report directly to Dr. Eric Dickson, president and CEO of UMass Memorial Health.

“Jeff is a highly respected healthcare finance executive whose experience leading large, complex health systems will be invaluable as we continue to advance our mission and strengthen our organization for the future,” Jackson said in a statement. “We are excited to welcome him to UMass Memorial Health and look forward to the expertise, leadership, and perspective he will bring to our team.”

Boston University names new medical school dean

Dr. Geeta Swamy has been selected as the new dean of Boston University’s Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine.

Swamy will begin in her new role in January.

An obstetrics and gynecology researcher, Swamy has been at Duke University School of Medicine for 22 years. She serves as associate vice president for research and executive vice dean for clinical sciences and research administration for the school of medicine. She’s also a professor of women’s health.

In her new role, Swamy will play a role in strengthening the partnership between the university and Boston Medical Center, the primary teaching hospital for the medical school.

In an article in BU Today, Swamy said, “What inspired me about this role was the opportunity to connect the Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine more deeply to the university through interdisciplinary discovery, to Boston Medical Center through our shared mission, and to the communities of Boston through a commitment to improving health for all.”