American Cancer Society names interim CEO, and more | MED MOVES

Wayne A. I. Frederick, MD, has been appointed the interim chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.

Wayne A. I. Frederick, MD

Frederick will take on his new responsibilities beginning Nov. 2.

A surgical oncologist, Frederick is president emeritus of Howard University. He served as Howard’s president from 2014 to 2023. He was recently named the Charles R. Drew Professor of Surgery at the Howard University College of Medicine.

Frederick has also been a member of the American Cancer Society’s board since 2022, but he has stepped away from the board as he takes on his new role as interim CEO.

He follows Karen E. Knudsen, who served as the CEO of the American Cancer Society for three years before recently announcing her plans to step down. She will serve as an executive strategic adviser until early 2025.

“I am deeply honored to join ACS and ACS CAN in this capacity as interim CEO and continue our work to end cancer as we know it, for everyone,” Frederick said in a statement.

“I look forward to working full-time with the incredible teams at ACS and ACS CAN, and more than a million volunteers across the country, to advance our shared goals of increasing access to care, reducing cancer disparities and improving the lives of patients and their families.”

• Read more: How the American Cancer Society hopes to improve outcomes for Black women

Richard Tugman

Centra Health appoints permanent CEO

After serving as an interim leader, Richard Tugman has been named the president and CEO of Centra Health in Virginia.

Tugman took the permanent post on Oct. 7.

Thomas Nygaard, MD, chair of Centra’s board applauded Tugman’s leadership in an interim capacity.

“He has the ability to strategically guide the organization in its mission to provide access to the best healthcare now and into the future as we adapt to a challenging and changing healthcare environment,” Nygaard said in a statement.

Centra, a nonprofit healthcare system, is based in Lynchburg, Virginia. The system serves 500,000 people in a region encompassing central and southern Virginia.

Dr. John B. Chessare

Longtime Maryland health system leader is retiring

Dr. John B. Chessare, president and CEO of Greater Baltimore Medical Center, has announced his plans to retire next year.

Chessare says he will step down on June 30, 2025. He has been leading the health system for 15 years.

As the system’s leader, Chessare has emphasized the value of preventive medicine and the management of chronic diseases. He also led the system’s return to the city of Baltimore with the opening of GBMC Health Partners Primary Care - Jonestown. The system is based in Towson, Md. and anchored by a 257-bed hospital, but the organization was founded in Baltimore.

GBMC’s board is beginning the search for his successor. Chessare will continue to serve as president and CEO until the system finds his replacement.

Faith Thomas, chair of the GBMC HealthCare board, spoke glowingly of Chessare’s leadership.

“Dr. Chessare’s contributions to GBMC and the healthcare industry as a whole cannot be overstated,” Thomas said in a statement. “His leadership through the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic was particularly remarkable, as he guided GBMC with compassion, resilience, and a focus on patient care and the safety of our staff.”

Gabriela Saenz, left, and Kimberly King Webb

CHRISTUS Health appoints 2 leaders to cabinet

CHRISTUS Health recently announced the appointment of two leaders to the CEO cabinet of the Catholic health system.

Gabriela Saenz, senior vice president of corporate services, has been added to the cabinet. An attorney, Saenz has been working with the system for 20 years.

“I am deeply honored,” Saenz said in a statement. “Throughout my career at CHRISTUS, it has been a humbling responsibility to uphold the mission of our founders and sponsoring congregations by extending the healing ministry of Jesus Christ in all that we do.”

Kimberly King Webb has also joined the CEO cabinet. She serves as senior vice president and chief human resources officer, and she’s been with the system since 2013.

“At CHRISTUS, we truly live our mission and values,” Webb said in a statement. I am excited to continue to cultivate our exceptional culture. As we grow and expand our reach, we remain fiercely committed to supporting our dedicated Associates who are the heart of our compassionate care.”