Nashville General Hospital names CEO | MED MOVES

After serving in an interim capacity for more than a year, Veronica Elders has been elevated to the permanent CEO of Nashville General Hospital.

Elders leads Nashville’s only public hospital. Even as Nashville General conducted a national search in recent months, Elders won the confidence of physicians, staff and stakeholders, said Christy Smith, chair of the Nashville General Hospital Authority Board.

In a statement, Smith said that Elders is “uniquely qualified” to lead the hospital.

“Since assuming the role of Interim CEO, Dr. Elders has provided steady, transparent leadership during a pivotal time for the organization,” Smith said. “She has strengthened operational performance, fostered collaboration across the health system, and maintained a relentless focus on delivering high-quality care to the patients and communities we serve.”

Nashville General received an “A” in the latest hospital safety grades from The Leapfrog Group in the spring, and the hospital has earned an “A” in the group’s last four report cards.

In a post on LinkedIn in April, Elders wrote that the recognition demonstrates the hospital’s commitment to providing excellent and equitable care.

“To our Nashville community: This ‘A’ is for you,” Elders wrote. “We remain committed to being the gold standard for care in the heart of the city.”

Dignity Health names leader of two hospitals

Anthony Coleman has begun a new role as hospital president for Dignity Health-St. Bernardine Medical Center and Community Hospital of San Bernardino.

Coleman began the new post June 29.

Most recently, Coleman served as the president and CEO of Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center GW Health in Washington D.C. He was the first CEO of the hospital, which opened in April 2025.

With his new post, he returns to Southern California after previously holding leadership roles with Kaiser Permanente's Fontana and Ontario medical centers.

“Returning to Southern California to serve the Inland Empire is both a privilege and an opportunity to make a meaningful difference alongside an outstanding team,” Coleman wrote on a LinkedIn post. “I am excited for what lies ahead and grateful to be part of a mission-driven organization dedicated to improving the health of the communities we serve.”

Dignity Health is part of CommonSpirit Health. Jill Welton, MSN, RN, market president for Dignity Health Southern California, said the creation of the role overseeing two hospitals “underscores our deep commitment to strategic growth and integrated care within our community.”

Catholic Health Association installs new board chair

Joe Gage, chief administrative officer of Bon Secours Mercy Health, has just begun serving as the board chairman of the Catholic Health Association of the United States.

Gage began his one-year term on July 1, and it expires June 30.

“At a time when the challenges facing our ministries are larger than any one organization, we are called to come together, to work together, speak with one voice and act in unity so Catholic healthcare can continue to thrive in our communities for generations to come,” Gage said in a statement.

Gage has served on the association’s board since 2022. He has spent more than 30 years in healthcare leadership roles.

Sr. Mary Haddad, president and CEO of the Catholic Health Association, says Gage has shown a commitment to helping serve others.

“Joe has devoted his career to empowering people and organizations to thrive with a focus on delivering exceptional care while compassionately serving and uplifting communities. CHA and our members look forward to working with Joe as we reimagine healthcare to advance the common good and ensure access for all,” Haddad said in a statement.

As chief administrative officer of one of the largest health systems in the United States, Gage oversees human resources, information and technology, global services and three academic institutions, supporting nearly 60,000 associates across the ministry. He focuses on strengthening organizational culture, advancing talent development and driving operational excellence.

“Joe has devoted his career to empowering people and organizations to thrive with a focus on delivering exceptional care while compassionately serving and uplifting communities. CHA and our members look forward to working with Joe as we reimagine healthcare to advance the common good and ensure access for all,” said Sr. Mary Haddad, CHA president and CEO.

Children’s Nebraska names new technology leader

Jose Mathew has been named the vice president of technology and innovation at Children’s Nebraska.

Mathew began his new role July 6.

He will work to support the pediatric system’s digital expansion, including advancing analytics, artificial intelligence and digital transformation initiatives to improve experiences for patients, families and care teams.

“I believe the future of healthcare is not about replacing human care with technology, but about amplifying compassion, connection and clinical excellence through innovation,” Mathew said in a statement.

Ryan Cameron, executive vice president and chief information and innovation officer, said Mathew brings the ability to connect technology and data to patient care and organizational outcomes. Cameron also described him as a collaborative leader skilled at building teams and partnerships.

Mathew previously held a longtime executive position at one of the country's largest public health systems, where he worked with the chief information officer on enterprise applications, infrastructure and analytics. He is credited with improving clinician workflows and operational efficiency and building capabilities in data, analytics and AI-driven transformation.