Emory Healthcare names new chief quality officer, and more | MED MOVES

LeWanza Harris, MD, has been named the new chief quality officer of Emory Healthcare.

LeWanza Harris

Harris began her new role on Sept. 30. The system says she will work to promote a culture of safety and help utilize technology to improve patient outcomes.

She previously worked with Mount Sinai Health System in New York, where she served as vice president of quality and regulatory affairs. Earlier, she also served as associate chief quality officer at New York-Presbyterian.

“Emory Healthcare is a preeminent academic leader in clinical research, health care and education,” Harris said in a statement. “I am truly excited to join a transformational team to leverage collaborations and an engaged ecosystem to continue to drive data-driven innovations that further promote the safest and best quality care for the patients and communities served.”

Harris was chosen for the post after Emory launched a nationwide search.

Joon S. Lee, MD, CEO of Emory Healthcare, described Harris as “a change agent with a proven track record of leading impactful patient safety initiatives.”

“Emory Healthcare will benefit from her expertise in clinical quality functions and leadership, as we continue our mission of exceptional, high-quality patient care," Lee said in a statement.

Brian Marger

TriStar Skyline Medical Center selects new CEO

Brian Marger has been appointed the new chief executive officer of TriStar Skyline Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn.

The hospital is part of HCA Healthcare. Previously, Marger served as the regional vice president for cancer services with Sarah Cannon Cancer Network at the HCA Healthcare TriStar Division.

"I’m excited to join the TriStar Skyline family and look forward to working with this team of physicians, colleagues and board members to continue delivering top-tier care in the Nashville area and beyond," Marger said in a statement.

Marger has served in several leadership roles within HCA Healthcare. He previously served as chief executive officer of TriStar Summit Medical Center and chief operating officer at TriStar Centennial Medical Center. He also served as CEO of Onsite Women’s Health before choosing to come back to HCA Healthcare.

Mitch Edgeworth, president of the HCA Healthcare Tristar Division, welcomed him to TriStar Skyline. Edgeworth said in a statement that Marger “has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to our mission to improve human life through his dedication to superior, patient-centered care.”

“As a veteran healthcare leader, Brian will continue elevating clinical excellence across TriStar Skyline while fostering a positive organization culture among colleagues and physicians,” Edgeworth said.

Mathew Weimer, MD

Valley Health announces permanent CEO

After serving in an interim capacity, Dr. Mathew Weimer has been named the new president and chief executive officer of Valley Health Systems.

The organization serves patients in West Virginia and parts of Ohio and Kentucky.

Weimer had served as the interim leader for two months, but now he’s been tabbed to lead the organization going forward. He previously served as Valley Health’s vice president of health services and chief medical officer. He will continue to serve as chief interim medical officer for the time being, until the organization finds a replacement.

A family physician, Weimer played a key role in the COVID-19 pandemic, leading community testing and vaccination efforts, the system said.

Weimer said in a statement that he is “humbled and grateful” to lead the organization.

“Alongside 1,000 fellow Valley Health employees and under the direction of a dedicated board of directors, I am committed to achieving our mission of providing quality health care to all individuals regardless of their ability to pay,” he said. “I am also deeply committed to building our collaborative relationships and look forward to working with community partners for the betterment of the people we serve.”

Sam Itani

Shasta Regional Medical Center appoints new CEO

Sam Itani has been named the new chief executive officer of Shasta Regional Medical Center, a Prime Healthcare hospital in Redding, Calif.

Itani began his new role as CEO of the 226-bed hospital in mid-September. He brings more than three decades of healthcare leadership experience to the post.

For the past three years, he served as the CEO of Southwest Healthcare-Corona Regional Medical Center, a 259-bed hospital in Corona, Calif. In that role, Itani expanded service lines and the hospital improved patient outcomes, the system said.

Previously, Itani spent more than two decades with Adventist Health in Bakersfield, Calif., where he served as senior vice president of operations. In that role, he helped oversee the development of a breast center and a chest pain center.