Virginia Mason Franciscan Health names chief medical officer, and more | MED MOVES

Hans P. Cassagnol, MD, has been named the chief medical officer of Virginia Mason Franciscan Health.

Hans P. Cassagnol, MD

Cassagnol will oversee clinical operations of Virginia Mason Franciscan Health and CommonSpirit Health’s Northwest Region. He has spent nearly two decades in healthcare leadership positions.

He said he was influenced by his mother, a microbiologist, and his uncle, a cardiologist.

“They were my role models as I embarked on my educational journey and continue to inspire me today as I step into this new leadership role here at VMFH,” Cassagnol said in a statement. “I am incredibly excited to join an organization with a reputation for clinical excellence and deep caring for our patients and the community.”

Most recently, Cassagnol served as chief physician executive and chief clinical officer at Catholic Health System, based in Buffalo, N.Y. He also served as chief quality officer at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, N.Y. and associate chief quality Officer at Geisinger Health System in Danville, Pa.

In addition to his new leadership role, Cassgnol also plans to practice as an obstetrician and gynecologist as a member of the VMFH Women’s Health team.

Ketul J. Patel, CEO of Virginia Mason Franciscan Health and president of the Northwest Region of CommonSpirit Health, praised Cassagnol’s experience as a physician and an executive.

“He has a passion for quality improvement and a dedication to continuous learning that make him an outstanding choice to be our next CMO,” Patel said in a statement.

Alda Mizaku

Children’s National Hospital appoints inaugural AI officer

Alda Mizaku has been named the first vice president and chief data and artificial intelligence officer of Children’s National Hospital.

In this newly created position, Mizaku will oversee data, analytics and AI strategy for the hospital. Children’s National says she’ll oversee a center of excellence focusing on data management and governance, which will examine ways to get the best use of AI technology.

Before joining Children’s National, Mizaku spent 11 years working for Mercy Health System in St. Louis, where she served as executive director of data engineering and analytics, and vice president of analytics product management.

“It’s an honor to join the team at Children’s National,” Mizaku said in a statement. “I look forward to collaborating with leaders across the organization to enable data and AI-driven solutions.”

Matt MacVey, executive vice president and chief information officer at Children’s National, said the newly created role is important to the hospital.

“AI has the power to improve pediatric disease detection and diagnosis, accelerate research breakthroughs and advance health equity,” MacVey said in a statement. “Our investment in a chief data and AI role will accelerate this important transformation.”

Mizaku also serves as lead mentor of For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, a nonprofit group which develops robotics programs to inspire young people to pursue careers in science and technology.

Mitra Gavgani

Johns Hopkins Medicine names home care president

Mitra Gavgani has been named president of Johns Hopkins Care at Home, a part of Johns Hopkins Medicine.

The organization includes three home health agencies and a host of other services.Gavgani has more than 20 years of leadership experience with Johns Hopkins Care at Home. She has been serving as interim president since 2023.

Gavgani has previously served as the chief operating officer and vice president of pharmacy services and clinical operations for Johns Hopkins Care at Home.

Gavagni said she is honored to be named president.

“I believe that the future of healthcare is in the home,” Gavagni said in a statement. “I look forward to supporting our staff and clinicians, and collaborating with our health system colleagues, as we work to advance care provided in the home and community and bring our vision to life.”

Kevin W. Sowers, president of the Johns Hopkins Health System and executive vice president for Johns Hopkins Medicine, hailed Gavagni’s experience with the organization.

“Mitra is the right leader to advance our ability to deliver the innovative care and services that will be required by the next generation of home care patients,” Sowers said in a statement.

David Kershaw

Scripta Insights hires chief technology officer

David Kershaw has been named chief technology officer of Scripta Insights, a digital health company.

Kershaw will lead the company’s engineering and information technology teams. Scripta offers tools to help companies find lower prices on prescription drugs.

He brings more than 20 years of experience to his new role at Scripta, including work with technologies in the healthcare and biotech industries. He most recently served as vice president of engineering for Tactiq, a retail software company.

Eric Levin, CEO of Scripta Insights, said Kershaw has a “proven track record of success.”

“His deep passion for our game-changing technology and vision on its potential are instrumental in our mission to transform the pharmacy benefits landscape so that our clients and their members navigate their way to prescription savings,” Levin said in a statement.