Welcome to this week’s Chutes & Ladders. A summary of hiring, firing, and retirement events across the industry. please submit We’ll feature good news or bad news from your shop here every week.
Week of March 2nd
> health tech companies star health Added raul smitha veteran of Elevance Health, has been named chief financial officer.
Mr. Smith has 20 years of experience in healthcare leadership, including six years as president and CFO of Anthem’s East region, according to the announcement. He also served as CFO for Duo Health and Gold Kidney Health Plan.
Stella said Smith’s experience in the health insurance industry will help the company build its platform. Stellar supports payers with value-based care by making it easier for providers to engage in these complex environments.
In addition, he will play a key role in driving the financial evolution of risk-based portfolios, including Shaco, a technology-enabled accountable care organization.
“Stella is already setting the pace for value-based care, and Raul adds organizational qualities to match our growth scale,” said Michael Meng, CEO and co-founder of Stellar Health. “Raul brings the financial authority that supports the critical value we deliver to our payer partners. His leadership ensures that our ROI is absolute and verifiable, and its impact will continue to grow and improve year after year.”
> Wellpoint Tennessee, Elevance Health named by the subsidiary Rachel Chinetti As the person responsible for the health plan.
As president, Mr. Chinetti will be tasked with leading the insurer’s strategy and statewide operations, including a focus on affordability, access and quality for individuals enrolled in TennCare, the Medicaid program.
She brings nearly 20 years of experience in Medicaid and long-term service support (LTSS) to this role, according to a statement from the insurance company. Chinetti has held multiple positions within TennCare, most recently serving as vice president of staff in the government division of Elevance Health and leading the Center of Excellence for LTSS.
The company said Chinetti is also from the state and lives in Nashville, where he has strong ties to the community.
“It is an honor to serve the people of Tennessee in this role,” Chinetti said in the release. “WellPoint Tennessee has a strong tradition of partnership and innovation. I look forward to working with TenCare, providers, advocates, and community leaders to strengthen rural and maternal health, strengthen long-term services and supports, and provide more coordinated, person-centered care to help our members live healthier, more independent lives.”
Week of February 16th
> James Downing MD plans to step down from his role as President and CEO. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Children’s Research Hospital announced near the end of 2026.
The physician executive has been with the organization for 40 years and has been at its top for the past 12 years. Under his leadership, St. Jude experienced the largest strategic expansion in its history. This includes the completion of two separate strategic plans that require an investment of nearly $20 billion and the creation of more than 2,300 new positions. A major expansion to St. Jude’s main campus. and expanding international cooperation.
Previously, he served as Scientific Director for eight years, during which time he spearheaded the Pediatric Cancer Genome Project.
After taking over the reins, Downing will move to the faculty of St. Jude’s Department of International Pediatrics. A replacement will be named during the summer, the organization said.
“I’ve watched St. Jude transform pediatric cancer care around the world, and I’m grateful to have played a small role as its CEO,” he said in the announcement. “It has been the honor of a lifetime to wake up every day and know that I have a purpose, a purpose to be a part of this workforce and to change the way children around the world are viewed.”
Week of February 9th
>Ministry of Health and Welfare Government agencies have announced several leadership changes to advance Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make Americans Healthy Again” agenda.
The Ministry of Health said: Chris Klomp He will assume the role of chief advisor to the agency and will “oversee all operations of the department.” Mr. Klomp currently serves as director of Medicare.
Additionally, Politico and the Washington Post reported: Jim O’Neilldeputy secretary of HHS and acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, will be stepping down from both positions. O’Neill will be offered a post as ambassador, sources told The Post.
The Post reported that the reorganization comes amid significant controversy over changes at HHS in vaccine policy and other hot-button topics. The newspaper said President Kennedy was trying to shift the conversation to more politically favorable topics, such as healthy food.
In addition to Klomp’s new title, Kennedy kyle diamond and grace graham Serve as senior counselor for food and drug administration similarly John Brooks Intervene as a senior advisor to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
HHS said each of these three will continue in their current roles in addition to supporting President Kennedy’s office.
“I’m proud to add to my team these time-tested, principled leaders who have the courage and experience to help us move faster and go further to make America healthy again,” President Kennedy said in a press release.
Week of January 12th
>American Hospital Federation Several leadership appointments were announced this week.
The new CEO of this organization is charlene mcdonaldtook over the role on January 1st, and on January 14th, FAH revealed the names of key members of her team, including:
- Tillithia McBrideChief Operating Officer
- Adam brother chief strategy officer
- Alyssa Keefe Senior Vice President and Policy Officer
- Katie TenoeverSenior Vice President and General Counsel.
McBride brings more than 25 years of general healthcare experience to the COO role, including more than four years in patient safety, quality and public health leadership at FAH. Mr. Broder, who has been with FAH for more than two years, will take on an expanded role as chief strategy officer, spearheading initiatives that support the organization’s mission and long-term stability and growth.
Mr. Keefe will join FAH in December 2024 and has more than 20 years of policy experience at both the state and federal levels. FAH said Mr. Tenoever will continue in his role as general counsel and has held similar positions with other industry organizations.
“Our outstanding new executive team will be critical to our success in writing the federation’s next chapter,” McDonald said in the announcement.. “We are at a critical time for healthcare coverage and access, and our team’s proven ability to be strategic, agile and relentlessly solutions-oriented will enable the Federation to deliver healthcare for our members and the millions of patients they serve.”
Week of January 5th
>Eduardo Conrado stepped into the CEO’s chair with rise He was appointed on January 1st to succeed Joseph Impicche, who is retiring.
Mr. Conrad has served as president of a large health system since 2023 and will continue to hold that title. He joined the company in 2018 and held the Digital, Strategy and Innovation position. Prior to that, he spent 26 years at Motorola Solutions and served on the board of Ascension for five years.
In a blog post published this week, Conrad said his focus as CEO is to ensure Ascension strengthens access to care, modernizes care delivery, and deepens its commitment to those most in need through a combination of mission-driven strategy, capital deployment, and talent.
>Jesse EhrenfeldDoctor joins clinical AI company Idoc As the new Chief Medical Officer.
Ehrenfeld, a board-certified anesthesiologist and clinical informaticist, comes to this role after serving as president of the American Medical Association. There, he led advocacy efforts on issues such as physician health and the responsible use of AI in clinical care. His new post will maintain these subjects in support of Aidoc’s health system customers.
“It is clear that Idoc’s success to date is rooted in building the trust of physicians in the technical field,” he said in the release. “I join to expand that impact and ensure that clinical AI remains a seamless and integral part of modern healthcare delivery models.”
>Abhi Rastogi He was appointed president and chief executive officer (CEO). temple health He was appointed on January 2, replacing Michael Young, who retired.
Rastogi has been with the organization for more than 20 years. He most recently served as president and CEO of Temple University Hospital and its campuses, as well as executive vice president and chief operating officer of the broader system. He is credited with delivering more than $100 million in annual impact through operational and financial improvements.
>Christian Pass appointed Chief Financial Officer of Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern Californiawill officially begin his new role on January 12th.
He joins University Health System from Optum, where he served as president of provider and pay provider corporate clients. Prior to that, he held several senior financial leadership positions at John Muir Health, ultimately becoming Chief Financial Officer.
“Keck Medicine’s CEO, Rod Hanners, said in a release: “Paz brings over 30 years of healthcare finance leadership experience with a proven track record of developing high-performing teams and leading organizations through significant financial and operational transformations.” “He brings tremendous knowledge and skills to this position that will support the continued growth of our health system.”
>Sarah Ness Her new job as president and CEO of peace health It’s January 3rd.
Mr. Ness has been with the nine-hospital system for more than 20 years, most recently serving as executive vice president and chief administrative officer. She is recognized for leading organizational transformation in the system’s culture, technology systems, and operations.
She replaces Liz Dunn, who announced her retirement last year.
>Chip HubbsPresident and CEO of Marysville, Ohio memorial healthshared his plans to retire at the end of this year.
He has held the position for nearly 22 years, and before that served as CEO of Community Memorial Hospital elsewhere in the state. “During his career, Chip has worked at nine different hospitals in every capacity from groundskeeper and maintenance to intern, fellow, night manager, executive director and CEO,” the statement said.
In his final year in office, Hubbs will work with the health system’s board of directors on long-term strategy and transition planning.
>Pharmaceutical Care Management AssociationLobby group representing pharmacy benefit managers names longtime policy expert david marin The new CEO replaces JC Scott.
According to the PCMA announcement, Marin will officially assume the CEO chair on January 20th. He comes to the organization from pharmaceutical company Viatrice, where he was global head of government affairs, public policy and advocacy. He also previously served as Managing Principal of Podesta Group, where he led advocacy efforts for numerous companies, including Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and Mylan.
He also held key staff roles at The Hill, according to the announcement.
“David Mullin is the ideal leader for PCMA at a time of great change in our industry,” said Adam Kautzner, PCMA board chair and president of Express Scripts and Evernorth Care Management.
In addition to Mr. Marin’s hiring, PCMA announced the following: brendan back Buck joins PCMA from public relations firm Seven Letter and will become the organization’s new chief communications officer, also effective January 20.
