Banner Health appoints chief research officer, and more | MED MOVES

Corey Casper, MD, has been named chief research officer of Banner Health.

Corey Casper, MD

Casper took the post on Jan. 27. He has more than 20 years of experience as a doctor and scientist.

“I’m excited to work with leadership and staff to assure research at Banner remains strategic, leads to better health outcomes for patients, and is a source of pride and prestige for Banner,” Casper said in a statement.

Dr. Marjorie Bessel, chief clinical officer for Banner Health, praised Casper’s experience.

“Dr. Casper will be dedicated to our efforts delivering the best care to our communities and enhancing our knowledge of health care through impactful research,” Bessel said in a statement. “He is a dynamic executive leader and physician-scientist, bringing extensive experience leading complex research, training and clinical care programs in the academic and non-profit sector.”

Casper was the founding chief executive officer of the Access to Advanced Health Institute in Seattle. He also served as the founding director of the Global Oncology program at the Fred Hutch Cancer Center,

He also served as a professor of medicine, epidemiology and global health at the University of Washington, where he was a co-director of the Center for AIDS Research.

Banner Health is based in Phoenix, Arizona, and operates 33 hospitals in six states.

Eric Williams, MD

Cincinnati Children’s names chief quality officer

Eric Williams, MD, has been named the chief quality officer and vice president of the James M. Anderson Center for Health Systems Excellence at Cincinnati Children’s.

Williams joined Cincinnati Children’s in 2023 as chief patient outcomes officer and associate chief quality officer within the Anderson Center. He also is a professor in the Division of Critical Care within the University of Cincinnati’s Department of Pediatrics.

In his new role, Williams will report to Evaline Alessandrini, MD, chief operating officer of Cincinnati Children’s.

“Dr. Williams’ experience and passion for transformational leadership in healthcare quality and outcomes will serve us well in the next chapter of our journey to be the leader in improving child health,” Alessandrini said in a statement. “His ability to use improvement science to foster collaboration resulting in integrating research with practical applications makes him a fantastic choice to lead our ongoing quality journey.”

Before that, Williams spent nearly 20 years in a variety of posts at Texas Children’s Hospital, eventually serving as the system’s chief quality officer.

Michael Dingeldein, MD

University Hospitals’ children’s hospital names pediatric surgery chief

Michael Dingeldein, MD, has been appointed chief of the division of pediatric surgery at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio.

Dingeldein served as the interim chief beginning in June 2024. He also served as the medical director of children’s surgery.

Jana Bazzoli, interim president of UH MacDonald and Rainbow Babies & Children’s hospitals, said he’s the ideal leader for the role.

“Dr. Dingeldein is highly respected as a talented surgeon, a collaborative colleague, and a passionate advocate for children,” Bazzoli said in a statement. “I am confident he will be outstanding in this new leadership role as chief of pediatric surgery.”

He has been the director of trauma for UH Rainbow for over 10 years. Dingeldein is also an associate professor of Surgery at Case Western Reserve University’s School of Medicine.

David McCormack

Longtime Alabama hospital leader plans to step down

David McCormack, CEO of Vaughan Regional Medical Center in Selma, Alabama, has announced his plan to retire.

McCormack has led the medical center since 2016 and he plans to step down during the first quarter of 2025, although the date is not yet clear.

“I’ve been a hospital CEO for most of my career – most of my life, for that matter,” McCormack said in a statement.

“You build incredible relationships and are part of some amazing experiences over that time,” he said. “I’ve truly enjoyed the nine-plus years I’ve spent at Vaughan Regional serving the Selma area.”

McCormack is credited with improving both patient care and Vaughan Regional’s financial performance. The 175-bed hospital also expanded services under his leadership.

Vaughan Regional is part of ScionHealth. Russell Pigg, president of ScionHealth’s community hospital division, said McCormack helped the medical center find new ways to meet the community’s needs.

“David viewed areas where a particular type of care might be underserved as an opportunity for Vaughan to provide a solution, and more often than not, that came to fruition,” Pigg said in a statement. “We appreciate his leadership over the years and congratulate him on a well-earned retirement.”