Children’s Hospital Los Angeles names two key leaders, and more | MED MOVES

Kelly Johnson and Conrad Band (Photos courtesy of Children's Hospital Los Angeles)

In recent weeks, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles has announced the appointment of two key leaders.

Kelly M. Johnson has been named the senior vice president and chief nursing officer. Johnson comes to CHLA with more than 40 years of nursing and nurse leadership experience.

She has served as chief nursing officer at Children’s Hospital Colorado, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford, and University of California Benioff Children’s Hospitals in Oakland and San Francisco.

Johnson began in her new role on April 17. She succeeds the retiring Nancy Lee, who had served as senior vice president, chief clinical officer and chief nursing officer.

“Kelly brings a wealth of practical nursing leadership, decades of expertise in quality and safety, and a deep passion for helping children and underserved communities, which aligns with Children’s Hospital Los Angeles’ commitment to equitable and inclusive care for the diverse populations we serve,” Paul S. Viviano, president and CEO of CHLA, said in a statement.

Conrad Band has been elevated to senior vice president and chief information officer at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. He had been serving as CIO in an interim capacity since May 2021.

“Conrad is a forward-thinking technology champion and leader who works tirelessly to ensure effective, efficient and secure operation of CHLA’s information systems, without which we would be unable to further CHLA’s mission of creating hope and building healthier futures for our patients,” Lara Khouri, executive vice president and chief operating officer at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, said in a statement.

Anaeze Offodile II (Photo: Memorial Sloan Kettering)

Memorial Sloan Kettering appoints chief strategy officer

Anaeze Offodile II has been named the new chief strategy officer of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Offodile begins his new role on May 1. He brings clinical experience as a double board-certified physician, and he’s also a health services researcher with a focus on alternative payment models and care redesign.

In a news release, Memorial Sloan Kettering said Offodile will serve as the system’s “futurist.” He will be directed to pilot new programs and work with the organization’s leaders to position Memorial Sloan Kettering for the future. He also plans to see patients on a limited basis.

“With the modes of healthcare delivery changing at a rapid pace, it is important now, more than ever before, for pioneering academic institutions to take bold steps forward and develop creative and innovative strategies for the benefit of patients everywhere,” Offodile said in a statement. “I am honored to implement a roadmap for future transformation that will enhance cancer research, inclusive and compassionate clinical care, and education for generations to come.”

Selwyn M. Vickers, president and CEO of MSK, said he looks forward to seeing Offodile develop novel strategies.

“A bold and innovative thinker who excels at turning ideas into action, he brings his deep expertise in medicine, business, and data analytics to this essential position,” Vickers said in a statement.

LexisNexis names leader in healthcare division

Adam Mariano has been selected as  the new president and general manager of its healthcare division of LexisNexis® Risk Solutions.

Mariano brings clinical experience in nursing, and he’s also an attorney who has done pro bono work in California to help those in underserved communities with civil rights, immigration and health equity issues.

“Adam is a recognized healthcare leader with extensive success in advancing data and analytics capabilities, operational excellence, and strategic innovation,” Josh Schoeller, CEO, of LexisNexis Risk Solutions’ health division, said in a statement. “In addition to his experience as a healthcare executive, Adam’s unique background as a nurse, technologist, consultant, and attorney brings a unique perspective into how we can help our customers achieve their goals.”

Mariano’s previous role was head of global strategic operations at IQVIA, where he led product and strategy for the company’s  health practice division. Prior to that, he was the vice president of health innovation at HighPoint Solutions.

“LexisNexis Risk Solutions is one of the few companies in the world with the holistic data needed to tackle healthcare’s biggest obstacles and opportunities,” Mariano said in a statement. “I’m excited to join the team and lead this business, leveraging our market-leading data and analytics capabilities to enable healthcare organizations to transform complexity into opportunity and deliver better health for all.”

RWJBarnabas Health names first female director of thoracic surgery

Joanna Sesti was recently appointed director of thoracic surgery of Northern Region, RWJBarnabas Health’s northern region.

Sesti also serves as chief of thoracic surgery and director of robotic thoracic surgery at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center.

She is the only female thoracic surgeon in the RWJBarnabas Health system specializing in oncology. She is focused on building and expanding a quality program throughout the six hospitals in the system’s northern region. Her specialty is minimally invasive thoracic surgery, specifically robotic assisted surgery.

Sesti has been a member of the RWJBarnabas Health system since 2017. A Cuban immigrant, she aims to ensure patients have access to high-quality care.