Trinity Health appoints two new leaders, and more | MED MOVES

Trinity Health, the Catholic system based in Michigan, has named leaders for two important roles.

Trinity Health has named Corinne R. Francis as chief mission integration officer, and Ray Anderson has been appointed the chief strategy officer. (Photos: Trinity Health)

Trinity has named Corinne R. Francis as executive vice president and chief mission integration officer. The system said she’s the first Black woman to hold that role.

A former system vice president of mission integration at CommonSpirit Health, Francis has over 22 years of experience in various mission roles with the system.

“Corinne is a mission-driven leader who inspires and influences colleagues in creative ways to integrate Mission into all we do,” Trinity Health president and CEO Mike Slubowski said in a statement. “With her broad Catholic health ministry experience and deep knowledge and expertise, I look forward to seeing how she will advance our mission integration and spiritual care initiatives.”

Before the merger of Dignity Health and Catholic Health Initiatives, Francis served as senior vice president, mission integration for Dignity Health and system VP for mission integration and community benefit at CHRISTUS Health.

Ray Anderson has been appointed the new executive vice president and chief strategy officer for Trinity Health.

In this role, Anderson will oversee business development, partnerships and mergers and acquisitions for the organization.

Most recently, Anderson served as senior vice president and chief strategy officer for Ascension Texas, a 15-hospital system in central Texas.

Anderson performed biomedical research with the National Cancer Institute and then Pfizer before joining PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he served as a strategic advisor to healthcare CEOs and senior executives.

“Ray is passionate about Catholic health care and expanding the reach of our healing ministry and Mission to provide high quality, affordable health care in the communities we serve,” Slubowski said in a statement. “We are honored to welcome Ray to Trinity Health and look forward to seeing his passion in action.”

Paul Anderson (Photo: Mass General Brigham)

Mass General Brigham selects new chief academic officer

Paul Anderson has been named chief academic officer for Mass General Brigham. Anderson has been in the post on an interim basis since January 1.

As chief academic officer, Anderson oversees Mass General Brigham’s research and teaching enterprise, which includes two academic medical centers, Mass General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and three specialty hospitals.

Anderson has overseen the development of the Gene and Cell Therapy Institute and played a leading role in the launch of the Gene Lay Institute of Immunology and Inflammation.

“We believe that in the next 5 to 10 years, many new therapies for our patients will come from gene and cell therapy discoveries and research endeavors across our hospitals,” Anderson said in a statement. “I'm thrilled to be able to put our vision into practice by supporting our investigators in moving discoveries toward new treatments for patients here and around the world.”

Anderson will continue to oversee several systemwide functions, including clinical trials, research management and graduate medical education.

“I can think of no better leader to guide our collaborative work across Mass General Brigham to fulfill our research and educational mission,” Anne Klibanski, president and CEO of Mass General Brigham, said in a statement. “Going forward, Paul’s leadership will be invaluable as we create and sustain an infrastructure that strengthens collaboration and progress for research-infused care that will continue to benefit patients.”

Anderson came to Brigham and Women’s Hospital to complete an internship and residency before launching his own lab in 1990.

Clay Ashdown (Photo: Intermountain Healthcare)

Intermountain Healthcare selects CFO

Clay Ashdown has been named the new chief financial officer for Intermountain Health.

He will manage all finance operations across the system, and he will report directly to Rob Allen, president and CEO of Intermountain Health. He began in the new role Oct. 23.

“Clay has been a champion and trusted Intermountain leader for decades," Allen said in a statement. "With a strong command of the firm ties between finance and operations, he is undoubtedly the leader for the role."

Ashdown has been with Intermountain Health for the last 23 years. He joined the system as an advanced financial analyst after working at the accounting firm of KPMG. Most recently, he served as the senior vice president of finance operations.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve Intermountain and its critical mission in this new role,” Ashdown said in a statement. “I look forward to continuing to promote partnerships and collaborative solutions for the organization and building on our long-standing legacy of excellence.”

Anika Gardenhire and Joe DeSchryver (Photo: Ardent Health Services)

Ardent Health Services names two key leaders

Anika Gardenhire has been named the chief digital information officer at Ardent Health Services in Nashville, Tennessee.

Gardenhire will lead the development of Ardent’s digital strategy. She will also oversee Ardent’s IT infrastructure and systems, and data strategy and governance, the system said.

She joins Ardent from Centene Corporation, where she most recently served as chief customer experience officer and previously as chief digital officer. Previously, she was assistant vice president of digital transformation at Intermountain Healthcare.

“Ardent has positioned itself as a leader in piloting and implementing innovative technologies at scale, and I look forward to working with leaders and team members to build an experience that makes healthcare better and more seamless for all involved,” Gardenhire said in a statement.

In another move, Joe DeSchryver has been named president of Ardent’s Americas Region. DeSchryver will oversee Ardent’s operations in Idaho, Kansas and New Jersey.

With more than two decades of healthcare operations and leadership experience, he has held executive roles with Tenet Healthcare and HCA Healthcare. He also served as south region president for Steward Health Care.

“Ardent prioritizes strategies that improve quality and access to care in each of the communities it serves,” DeSchryver said in a statement. “I’m excited to work with providers and team members across the organization as we continue evolving to provide consumers with the right care, at the right time and in the right setting – all while supporting the caregivers who make it possible.”

Byron Gabbard (Photo: Appalachian Regional Healthcare)

Kentucky hospital system announces new CFO

Byron Gabbard has been named chief finance officer for the Appalachian Regional Healthcare system.

The organization operates 14 hospitals and a host of other healthcare sites in Kentucky and West Virginia.

Gabbard has spent 25 years in healthcare. He has served as executive vice president of financial operations for the system since July 2021 and stepped into the role of interim CFO in July.

Hollie Phillips, president and CEO of Appalachian Regional Healthcare, said she’s excited to have Gabbard in the position.

“Byron has a proven track record of success in leading finance teams and a deep understanding of the financial challenges and opportunities we face as a not-for-profit system with multiple hospitals and other care centers situated throughout eastern Kentucky and southern West Virginia,” Phillips said in a statement.

Gabbard spent 18 years at the University of Kentucky HealthCare system, most recently as the associate vice president of finance.

“For over 60 years, ARH’s demonstrated commitment to the delivery of high-quality healthcare services within Central Appalachia has been evident and unwavering. It is an honor to support the advancement of our critically important mission within the region we serve,” Gabbard said in a statement.