Ochsner Health appoints new COO, and more | MED MOVES

Dr. Timothy Riddell has been named the new executive vice president and chief operating officer of Ochsner Health.

Riddell will oversee clinical operations of Ochsner’s 47 hospitals and more than 370 other healthcare locations. A Louisiana native, Riddell has worked with the system for nearly 30 years.

He served as the chief medical officer for several Ochsner regions. He served as the CEO of the Northshore and Mississippi Gulf Coast region from 2022 to 2024.

"Having spent my entire career at Ochsner, I have seen firsthand our dedication to our mission to serve and our vision to inspire healthier lives and stronger communities,” Riddell said in a statement. “I am confident in our strategic direction and look forward to working with our exceptional teams to enhance our clinical operations, strengthen our community ties, and continue setting new standards for patient-centered care."

Pete November, president and CEO of Ochsner Health, hailed Riddell’s “unwavering commitment to our patients and a clear vision for the future of healthcare.”

“His deep roots in the community combined with his proven leadership in driving clinical innovation will ensure Ochsner’s success for years to come,” November said in a statement. “He is the right leader to help steer our operations as we continue to improve access to high-quality care and build a healthier future for the Gulf South."

UAB Health names first chief nurse

Terri Poe has been named the first-ever chief nursing executive for the University of Alabama at Birmingham Health System.

Poe will oversee nursing across all of UAB Medicine. The system said she will focus on professional development and ensuring high standards are reached across the system.

She began in her new post Jan. 1.

“I am honored to serve as UAB Health System’s first chief nursing executive,” Poe said in a statement.

“Nurses are at the heart of patient care, and this role provides an opportunity to strengthen our profession across every UAB Medicine entity,” she said. “My focus will be on supporting our teams, advancing practice standards, and ensuring that nurses have the resources and development they need to deliver exceptional care. Together, we will continue building a culture that values collaboration, innovation and excellence.”

Penn State Health recruits cardiovascular leader

Dawood Darbar, MD, has been named chair of the Penn State College of Medicine’s Department of Medicine.

A cardiac electrophysiologist, Darbar will also serve as co-director of the Heart and Vascular Institute and vice president of the Penn State Health Cardiovascular Service Line. He will take on his new role on March 23.

He comes to Penn State from the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), where he served as chief of cardiology and director of the Center for Cardiovascular Research.

Karen Kim, MD, dean of the Penn State College of Medicine, and Don McKenna, president of Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, issued a joint statement welcoming Darbar.

“We look forward to the leadership, innovation and collaborative spirit he will bring to our community,” they said.

HSHS names three new leaders

The Hospital Sisters Health System has named three new leaders for its markets in Wisconsin and Illinois.

Amy Crouch has been named chief financial officer for the HSHS Wisconsin Market, which includes HSHS St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay; HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center in Green Bay; HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital in Sheboygan; and HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital in Oconto Falls.

She had been serving in an interim capacity since the fall. She served as chief financial officer at Riverview Health in Noblesville, Indiana.

Divya Matai has been named CFO for HSHS Central Illinois Market and Illinois Physician Enterprise. The market includes HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield; HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham; HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur; HSHS St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield and HSHS Good Shepherd Hospital in Shelbyville.

She previously held various leadership roles at Emory Healthcare in Atlanta, Georgia.

Mark Thorn has been named CFO for HSHS Southern Illinois Market which includes HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in O’Fallon; HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese; HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital in Highland and HSHS Holy Family Hospital in Greenville.

Thorn joins HSHS after serving as executive director of finance and operations for Mercy Hospital Lincoln and Mercy Hospital Washington in Troy, Missouri.