MED MOVES: Highmark Health elevates two leaders, and more

Highmark Health announced leadership changes in its western Pennsylvania market, including the Allegheny Health Network of 14 hospitals.

Cynthia Hundorfean, President and CEO of Allegheny Health Network, is taking on a new role at the company as Highmark’s Director of Living Health Development. Highmark also announced the appointment of Bruce A. Meyer to the newly created position of Executive Vice President and President of Western PA Marketplace for Highmark Health.

Hundorfean joined Highmark Health as president of AHN in 2016. She led a nearly $2 billion investment and transformation strategy to expand the network’s footprint, Highmark said in a statement.

Hundorfean will continue to report to Highmark Health President and CEO David Holmberg and will focus on advocating for the organization’s “Living Health” model, a payer-provider system aimed at improving health outcomes. and reduce costs.

Hundorfean assumes his new position on January 1, 2023.

“I am so excited to take on this new role which will allow me to have a much broader impact on transforming healthcare regionally and nationally beyond all the amazing things we do at AHN” , Hundorfean said in a statement.

Meyer comes to Highmark Health after serving as president of Jefferson Health in Philadelphia and senior executive vice president at Thomas Jefferson University.

In his new role at Highmark Health, Meyer will oversee Highmark Health’s mixed payer-provider strategy in the Western Pennsylvania market, including the operations of Highmark Insurance and the Allegheny Health Network.

Meyer will join Highmark on December 5.

“This is a tremendous opportunity to join an innovative and visionary leadership team and culture that is setting the standard for value-based care against which others will be measured,” Meyer said in a statement. .

Kettering Health selects interim CEO

Michael Mewhirter has been named interim chief executive of Kettering Health, which operates 14 medical centers in Ohio.

Kettering Health made the announcement Nov. 8. Mewhirter is the system’s chief financial officer. He becomes the interim CEO following news that Kettering Health CEO Fred Manchur plans to retire after leading the system for nearly 12 years.

“I am honored to step into the interim role and guide an organization close to my heart through our next chapter of serving our communities,” Mewhirter said in a statement.

“I am especially excited to lead the wonderful people in our system as they strive to provide innovative, high-quality care delivered with compassion and respect for every patient and family member. Kettering Health is an incredible organization, and I thank the Board of Directors and our leaders for the trust they have placed in me,” he said.

Dave Weigley, chairman of the board of Kettering Health, called Mewhirter “a dynamic and experienced interim leader.”

“The Kettering Health Board of Directors is very confident that Michael has the necessary qualifications to ensure the success of Kettering Health until a permanent CEO is appointed,” Weigley said in a statement.

The Kettering Health board has appointed a search committee to find the permanent CEO.

Manchur has worked with Kettering Health for 21 years. He plans to retire on December 31.

“It has been the greatest blessing of my life to work alongside the incredible medical professionals and staff at Kettering Health for over 20 years,” Manchur said in a statement. “Their accomplishments and the progress we have made as a hospital system is a source of great pride for me in our service to this community. »

Moffitt Cancer Center appoints its first chief innovation officer

Jarett Rieger has been named the new vice president and chief innovation officer of Moffitt Cancer Center, a first for the organization.

Rieger takes on a new role with the system. He joined Moffitt in 2004 and will continue to oversee Moffitt’s Office of Innovation and Industry Alliances, which focuses on commercializing intellectual property and building industry partnerships.

Rieger served as chief negotiator for partnerships with biotech and pharmaceutical companies, the cancer center said in a press release.

He helped negotiate a multi-year research collaboration with Turnstone Biologics to develop new therapies. Rieger also helped develop a 10-year research alliance with Deerfield Management to accelerate the development of new cancer treatments.

Rieger spurred the growth of the Office of Innovation and Industry Alliances, which has been granted 241 U.S. patents and executed 238 intellectual property licenses and agreements, the organization said.

James Mulé, associate director of the Moffitt Translational Science Center, praised Rieger’s contributions.

“Jarett has been instrumental in the growth and success of Moffitt’s Office of Innovation and Industry Alliances. I have no doubt that he will continue to forge and further expand relationships with the biotech industry and advance Moffitt’s technologies and discoveries in his new leadership role,” Mulé said in a statement.

The Moffitt Cancer Center is one of 53 comprehensive cancer centers designated by the National Cancer Institute.

Vermont hospital group appoints permanent CEO

After leading on an interim basis, Michael Del Trecco was named president and CEO of the Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems.

Del Trecco previously served as senior vice president of finance and operations. He has been with the organization for 18 years.

“It’s an incredible honor, and I’m honored by the trust our hospital leaders have placed in me,” Del Trecco said in a statement.

“We’ve worked hard to find solutions to the toughest problems our healthcare system has faced in modern history,” he said. “As a community-led and community-led hospital system, we exist solely to serve those who need our care. We know the work ahead will be difficult, but we are focused and determined to make progress.

Claudio Fort, president and CEO of Rutland Regional Medical Center and chairman of the Vermont association board, cited Del Trecco’s experience.

“This is a pivotal time for our hospitals, and we highly appreciate Mike’s experience, integrity, and respect that he has rightfully earned from health care and policy leaders across Vermont.” , Fort said in a statement. “We are thrilled to welcome Mike as our next leader.”

Lowell General Hospital Promotes President

Amy Hoey has been named president of Lowell General Hospital.

Hoey becomes the first registered nurse to serve as president of the hospital in its 130-year history.

She succeeds Jody White as president, but White will continue to serve as chief executive. White is also taking on an expanded role with the Tufts Medicine system, and he will focus on advancing the mission of its integrated physician network, the hospital said in a news release.

“It continues to be a great honor to work with an incredibly talented team who live up to Lowell General’s standards of excellence every day,” Hoey said in a statement. “As our hospital enters a new chapter in our great history, I am thrilled to leverage the potential of Tufts Medicine and advocate for the growing health needs of Greater Lowell patients and their families.”

Hoey joined the hospital in 1997 as a clinical nursing leader and has held several leadership positions, becoming chief operating officer in 2013.

“Amy Hoey is a proven leader who is deeply respected by our staff and the physician community,” White said in a statement.