University of Miami Health System names new CEO, and more | MED MOVES

Dr. Dipen J. Parekh has been named the new chief executive officer of the University of Miami Health System.

Dr. Dipen J. Parekh

Parekh also has been named executive vice president for health affairs at the University of Miami. He has served as chief operating officer of the University of Miami Health System, known as UHealth, since 2020.

“I am profoundly grateful for the trust placed in me and energized by the opportunity to advance our shared mission of delivering world-class care, pioneering research, and transformative education,” Parekh said in a statement.

An oncologist, Parekh has performed more than 6,000 robotic urologic cancer surgeries. He led a study, published in The Lancet in 2018, which established the effectiveness of robotic-assisted surgery for bladder cancer.

Parekh plans to continue to treat patients. He joined the university in 2012 as chair of the department of urology, and he was named executive dean for clinical affairs at the Miller School of Medicine,

Joseph J. Echevarria, president of the University of Miami, said Parekh has played a “pivotal role” in the growth of the health system.

“He understands the mission—from the operating room to the classroom to the boardroom—and he embodies the excellence we strive to deliver for our patients, students, and community,” Echevarria said in a statement.

Dr. Michael E. Kupferman

Penn State Health appoints new CEO

Michael E. Kupferman, MD, has been named the next chief executive officer of Penn State Health.

Kupferman comes to Penn State Health from Banner Health in Phoenix, Arizona. He had served as president of the Banner University Medicine Division and senior vice president of the physician enterprise for Banner Health.

“I’m honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve as the CEO of Penn State Health,” Kupferman said in a statement.

Kupferman said he wants Penn State Health to deliver “unparalleled and innovative care” in central Pennsylvania.

“Together we will foster an environment that enables us to train the best physicians and health care providers, advance research and expand our role as the region’s only locally-based academic health system,” he said.

Kupferman previously served as senior vice president of clinical and academic network development at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi said she has great confidence in Kupferman.

“Michael is an innovative and accomplished academic physician leader who is deeply aligned with our health system’s tripartite mission to train the next generation of health care providers, conduct life-changing health science research and provide patient care of the highest quality,” Bendapudi said in a statement.

Rob Rose

Ascension names new chief nursing officer

Rob Rose has been named the senior vice president of nursing and chief nursing officer of Ascension.

Rose joins the Catholic health system after serving as market chief nurse executive for Atrium Health, where he oversaw nursing practice across 700 care locations and 20 hospitals. He is succeeding Maureen Chadwick, who is retiring on June 30.

“I am honored to join a health ministry so rooted in compassion, service and human dignity,” Rose said in a statement. “As I take on this new role, I am committed to elevating the voices of our nurses, advancing technology that improves outcomes and fostering an environment where all nurses feel supported to grow and lead.”

Rose has spent much of his career in Catholic health systems. He previously served as senior vice president patient care services and chief nurse executive for the Northeast Texas Region of Christus Trinity Mother Frances Hospitals and Clinics in Tyler, Texas.

Chadwick said she appreciates her years at Ascension.

“I am incredibly grateful for the journey I have had with Ascension and confident in Rob’s ability to carry this work forward,” she said. “It has been a privilege to serve alongside such dedicated nurses.”

Amy Wimpey Knight

Cook Children's Health Care hires chief administrative officer

Amy Wimpey Knight has recently taken a new role as chief administrative officer of Cook Children’s Health Care System.

Knight began her new role May 1. She previously served as president of the Children's Hospital Association.

She said she is grateful to be a part of the pediatric system based in Fort Worth, Texas.

“My work has given me an extraordinary opportunity to get to know many children’s health systems, and Cook Children's stands out for its commitment to exceptional care, its truly remarkable culture, and the many opportunities we have to grow as an integrated delivery system serving children,” Knight said in a statement.

Rick W. Merrill, president and CEO of Cook Children's Health Care System, said she brings the experience and enthusiasm needed to help the organization.

"Her extensive experience at the national level, coupled with her deep understanding of the unique needs of children's hospitals, will be invaluable as we continue to advance our promise to improve the health of every child,” Merrill said in a statement. “Amy's passion for collaboration and her strategic vision align perfectly with our values and our aspirations for the future."