AdventHealth appoints regional chief clinical officer, and more | MED MOVES

Victor Herrera has been named as the chief clinical officer for AdventHealth’s Central Florida Division – South Region.

Victor Herrera (Photo: AdventHealth)

In that role, Herrera will oversee the clinical operations of the region’s 10 hospitals and more than 2,000 physicians. He succeeds Neil Finkler, who retired earlier this year after serving as the chief clinical officer for AdventHealth Central Florida since 2016.

In a statement, Herrera talked about adding more points of healthcare in the fast-growing region of central Florida. He also said he wants to use technology to ease some administrative burdens on clinicians.

“As technology improves and becomes more available, we can leverage artificial intelligence and big data to automate tedious tasks, allowing doctors and nurses to spend more meaningful time with their patients,” he said.

Herrera has been with AdventHealth for over 10 years. He previously served as the vice president and chief medical officer for AdventHealth Orlando, the system’s flagship hospital. He also served as the assistant director of the AdventHealth Department of Graduate Medical Education and Internal Medicine Residency Program.

Brian Adams, CEO of AdventHealth Central Florida – South Region, said in a statement that he’s confident Herrera will help elevate standards of care.

“Dr. Herrera is a visionary leader who has a passion for excellence and innovation in health care. He has been instrumental in advancing our clinical quality, safety, and outcomes across our region,” Adams said.

CAQH welcomes new CEO

Sarah Ahmad has been named the new CEO of CAQH, an organization that aims to improve the exchange of information in healthcare.

She assumes the role of CEO after the retirement of Robin Thomashauer, who helped found the organization and has led it for more than two decades.

Ahmad possesses 25 years of experience in the industry and has held leadership posts at Shoppers Drug Mart, Humana, Highmark Health and Magellan Health.

CAQH provides data solutions that are used by more than two million healthcare providers and more than 1,000 health plans.

In a post on LinkedIn, Ahmad expressed her admiration for CAQH and her ambition to help the organization grow.

“I look forward to building upon that extraordinary success – to remove barriers to care, drive health equity, reduce waste and continue to improve the healthcare experience in new and innovative ways,” Ahmad said.

Brian D. Pieninck, president and CEO of CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield and chair of the CAQH Board of Directors, said Ahmad was chosen after a national search. He called Ahmad an “an energetic, inclusive and talented leader.”

“This is a time of unprecedented change and progress in healthcare. Streamlining the business of healthcare has never been more essential. CAQH is critical to these efforts, and we need leaders like Sarah who have the leadership, passion and vision to deliver,” Pieninck said in a statement.

Torrance Memorial Medical Center CEO steps down, successor named

Craig Leach, the longtime CEO of the Torrance Memorial Medical Center, has announced that he’s retiring.

Craig Leach (Photo: Torrance Memorial Medical Center)

Leach has announced that he will retire on Oct. 31, after nearly 40 years with the hospital. His successor has already been named.

Keith Hobbs, the medical center’s president, will assume the duties of CEO beginning Nov. 1.

Leach has been serving as CEO of Torrance Memorial since 2006. He joined Torrance Memorial in 1984 as director of finance and has served in a host of leadership posts over almost four decades.

“Torrance Memorial and the healthcare industry have changed so much from when I started,” Leach said in a statement. “I’m extremely proud of what we accomplished during my years here, and I am especially grateful to our doctors, nurses and staff who have been committed to providing exceptional care throughout the years and especially under the pressure of an unprecedented pandemic.”

In 2018, Leach led Torrance Memorial into a new affiliation with Cedars-Sinai Health System, giving patients more access to treatments for cancer, heart disease and neurological disorders.

“Craig’s leadership and foresight enabled us to lay the foundation for the affiliation between Torrance Memorial and Cedars-Sinai,” Thomas M. Priselac, president and CEO of Cedars-Sinai Health System, said in a statement. “Craig has built a formidable organization during his nearly two decades leading Torrance Memorial. I am proud to call him a valued colleague and friend, and wish him the very best.”

Children’s Health names new COO

Dane Peterson has been named the new chief operating officer of Children’s Health in Dallas.

Dane Peterson (Photo: Children's Health)

"Children's Health is doing some of the most complex and meaningful work in pediatric health care," Peterson said in a statement. "I'm honored and humbled to have a role in ensuring the pioneering work underway not only continues but expands alongside the communities we're privileged to serve, today and for generations to come."

Peterson brings more than 20 years of experience in healthcare administration. He spent 16 years at Emory Healthcare, where he held numerous leadership roles, including serving as president and COO of the system.

He also served in executive leadership roles within Medical City Dallas and Creighton University Medical Center, part of the Tenet Healthcare Corporation.

Christopher J. Durovich, president and chief executive officer of Children's Health, said Peterson is joining the organization at a pivotal time.

“His extensive operational leadership experience will be an important asset for our team as we work to deliver the best pediatric care for our patients today and for generations to come," Durovich said in a statement.