Sutter Health names first chief physician executive, and more | MED MOVES

Todd Smith (Photo: Sutter Health)

Todd Smith has been named the inaugural senior vice president and chief physician executive of Sutter Health in California.

Smith started in the new role on June 12. He will have broad responsibility for leading the clinical transformation of one of the country’s largest healthcare delivery systems.

He will also help lead efforts to immerse Sutter’s Institute for Advancing Health Equity across the system’s integrated care delivery model.

“I look forward to deepening Sutter Health’s relationships with our aligned physicians,” Smith said in a statement. “Together we can deliver industry-leading access, quality and patient experience to our patients and achieve our goal of making Sutter the premier place to work, practice medicine and receive care in California.”

Previously, Smith was CEO of Sutter Health Valley Medical Foundation. He previously served as the medical director of specialty care at Gould Medical Group. He also held leadership posts including section chief for orthopedics and podiatry at Sutter Gould Medical Foundation and medical staff leadership roles at Sutter’s Memorial Medical Center in Modesto.

Warner L. Thomas, Sutter Health president and CEO, said in a statement that Smith “brings a wealth of experience and expertise in administrative, operational and medical leadership, along with a deep understanding of integrated healthcare delivery systems.

“Todd is highly regarded across Sutter Health and over the last several months, has played a key role on my transition team and in setting Sutter’s future vision and strategy,” Thomas added.

Smith will work closely with Mark Sevco, Sutter Health’s new senior vice president and chief operating officer. Together,. Smith and Sevco will oversee acute, clinic and ambulatory operations.

Steven Dubinett (Photo: UCLA)

UCLA Medical School elevates interim dean

After serving in an interim capacity for nearly two years, Steven M. Dubinett has been appointed the new dean of UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine.

Dubinett was chosen after a national search. He has been part of the medical school faculty since 1988 and served as interim dean of the medical school since September 2021.

He’s also a founding director of the UCLA Clinical & Translational Science Institute, a partnership of four institutions studying drugs and devices to improve health. His research focuses on inflammation and immunity in the development of lung cancer.

The medical school has more than 850 students, 1,300 medical residents and fellows, 400 doctoral students, and 3,500 faculty. The faculty and residents offer care at four UCLA Health hospitals and more than 260 clinics.

“We stand at the threshold of transformative opportunities in research, education, and equitable patient care,” Dubinett said in a statement. “I am truly honored and privileged to lead the David Geffen School of Medicine, an integral contributor to the nation’s leading public university which resides in one of the most diverse communities in the nation.

John Mazziotta, vice chancellor for health sciences and CEO of UCLA Health, said Dubinett has a strong record of advancing research at the medical school.

“His decades of experience in research administration and translational science will enable him to serve the research and clinical mission areas of the school well,” Mazziotta said in a statement. “Perhaps most importantly, he has a long history of commitment to collaborative partnerships with colleagues and mentorship of graduate students, post-doctoral fellows and junior faculty.”

Nelson Weichold (Photo: Nationwide Children's)

Nationwide Children’s Hospital hires CFO

Nelson Weichold has been named chief financial officer at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

Weichold took the post on June 5. He most recently served as CFO at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, which includes the state’s only children’s hospital.

He brings more than two decades of financial leadership experience to the role, including experience in large teaching hospitals and academic medical centers.

Previously, Weichold served as chief operating officer of the SIU School of Medicine and Multispecialty Practice in Springfield, Ill., and chief financial officer of the University of Miami Medical Center in Miami, Fla.

“Nationwide Children’s is an organization that is a treasured resource for families, both locally and nationally,” Weichold said in a statement. “I look forward to contributing to its mission of supporting families from all walks of life, both inside and outside of the hospital’s walls.”

Tim Robinson, CEO of Nationwide Children’s, said in a statement that Weichold’s “innovative approach to financial strategy and leadership will allow the hospital to continue deepening and broadening the way we care for children.”

Luke Brown, Nationwide Children’s most recent chief financial officer, is transitioning to the role of vice president of treasury and finance.

Viola M. Sprague

LSU Health Shreveport appoints new CIO

Viola M. Sprague has been named the chief information officer of LSU Health Shreveport.

She began her new role on June 5.

Sprague possesses more than 25 years of experience in information technology and has worked in university and healthcare settings.

She previously served as the vice president of instructional, administrative and information technology for Kettering University in Flint, Michigan. Sprague also worked at Grand Rapids Spectrum Health system, serving as the clinical applications manager.