BayCare Health System names new CEO, and more | MED MOVES

Stephanie D. Conners has been named the chief executive officer of the BayCare Health System, based in Clearwater, Florida.

Stephanie Conners

Conners, 51, succeeds Tommy Inzina, 64, who announced he is stepping down earlier this year. Conners joined BayCare several weeks ago to work with Inzina on the transition. BayCare announced Conners began serving as CEO on Nov. 28.

She has visited more than 50 BayCare sites and met with thousands of BayCare team members to learn more about the system.

“I knew BayCare was among the nation’s best health care systems and now my experience on the ground makes clear why,” Conners said in a statement. “Our leaders’ and team members’ commitment to their patients, their providers and the entire community is palpable: They truly care. Together, we will build BayCare’s next great chapter.”

Conners began her career in healthcare as a nurse and has maintained her nursing license.

Most recently, Conners served as executive vice president and chief operating officer for Jefferson Health, the nonprofit system based in Philadelphia.

BayCare is opening its 16th hospital in Wesley Chapel in early 2023. The system is also weighing a decision about opening another hospital in north Manatee County.

John Fairbaugh

UPMC hires first chief clinical information officer

John Fairbaugh has been elevated to a new role as UPMC’s first chief clinical information officer.

Fairbaugh will begin in the new post on Dec. 5. The system said he will support clinical operations across UPMC’s 40 hospitals and 800 outpatient sites by enhancing technology applications.

“I’m kind of the translator between the information technology leadership and the clinical leadership,” Fairbaugh said in a news release.

He has served as director of clinical and operational informatics/emergency services at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital. He will continue in that role until a successor is found, the system said.

Fairbaugh brings more than 21 years of experience in nursing and he also has a background in emergency medicine and informatics.

“John is committed to open and strong communication and is inclusive of varying perspectives - critical qualities in ensuring the successful selection, deployment and continuing improvement of our clinical technologies,” Maribeth McLaughlin, vice president and chief nurse executive of UPMC, said in a statement. She will oversee the new position as part of the UPMC Center for Nursing Excellence.

Ann Abad

Missouri Baptist Medical Center selects president

Ann Abad has been named the new president of the Missouri Baptist Medical Center, part of BJC Healthcare.

She begins in that position today. She succeeds John Antes, who is taking a new role as CEO for Southern Illinois Healthcare, a member of the BJC Collaborative.

Abad has been with BJC for the past 17 years. Most recently, she served as president of Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital since 2019. In that role, she has led the team’s growth of diagnostic and short-stay surgical and medical care, and also helped to strengthen patient safety and quality, the system said.

Previously, Abad served as the vice president of operations for Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital and Progress West Hospital, where she led the operational and strategic development for BJC's St. Charles County hospitals for eight years.

Missouri Baptist Medical Center has 425 staffed beds and nearly 2,500 workers. BJC Healthcare operates 14 hospitals across the midwest and is concentrated in St. Louis, southern Illinois and southern Missouri.

BJC hopes to identify a new president of Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital president “in the very near future," Bob Cannon, BJC group president, said in a statement.

Tory Shepherd

North Carolina health system announces CEO

Tory Shepherd no longer needs the label of “interim.”

Shepherd has been named the new chief executive officer of Rutherford Regional Health System, a Duke LifePoint hospital in Rutherfordton, N.C. She had been the interim CEO since September.

"I am incredibly honored and excited to have the opportunity to stay here in Rutherfordton and grow with this team and our community," Shepherd said in a news release. "I’m excited to continue to work with our hospital leadership, providers and staff to explore new ways that we can make a difference in the lives of those we serve."

Shepherd came to the hospital after holding leadership posts at Sovah Health-Martinsville, a Lifepoint facility in Virginia. She served as interim chief executive officer and chief operating officer at the Martinsville hospital. Before joining Sovah Health’s administrative team, Shepherd was director of cardiopulmonary neurophysiology services and a cardiopulmonary coordinator and respiratory therapist.

Jackie Godlock, chair of the Rutherford Regional Health System Board of Trustees, called Shepherd “a great addition to Rutherford Regional, and we are excited to see where she will lead this hospital.”

"This decision to make her a permanent fixture on our leadership team and in this community was an easy one,” Godlock said in a statement. “Tory has shown a great commitment to our patients, physicians and employees in her time here, and we are looking forward to working alongside her to expand RRHS’ services to meet the evolving needs of our region."

Craig Henneman

Minnesota hospital names new president

Craig Henneman has been named the new president of CentraCare-Paynesville, a critical access hospital in central Minnesota.

Henneman possesses more than 17 years of experience with CentraCare, which operates eight hospitals and dozens of other care sites in Minnesota.

He previously served as executive director for surgical services at St. Cloud Hospital. Henneman also co-led the CentraCare Covid-19 response team, the system said.

Henneman said he has a keen understanding of the importance of rural healthcare providers.

"I grew up and live in a small community and very much appreciate the importance and impact that rural healthcare has on people no matter where they live,” said Henneman. “CentraCare has been an important focal point in my life and career. Both of my parents worked and retired from CentraCare, my wife works here, my children were born here. I look forward to and am excited about the opportunity to support our mission and purpose at CentraCare - Paynesville and surrounding communities.”