Emory Healthcare selects a new CEO, and more | MED MOVES

Joon Sup Lee (Photo: Emory Healthcare)

Joon Sup Lee has been selected as the chief executive officer of Emory Healthcare in Atlanta, Ga.

Lee will take the post on July 1. He’ll lead an academic health system with 11 hospitals, 250 sites of care and more than 24,000 employees.

He has been serving as executive vice president at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) and president of UPMC Physician Services.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to join such a strong leadership team and to be a part of a truly world-class academic medical center,” Lee said in a statement.

“The outstanding faculty and staff at Emory Healthcare are second to none, and will fulfill our mission to deliver the highest quality care with the utmost compassion while training the health care workforce of tomorrow and creating innovations in health sciences that will set the new paradigm for health care,” he said.

An interventional cardiologist, Lee has studied the role of stem cells in the treatment of coronary artery disease, rapid treatment of cardiac emergencies and catheter-based therapy for valvular heart disease, Emory said in a news release.

Emory University President Gregory L. Fenves described Lee as “a problem-solver who cares deeply about the patients and families he serves and the doctors, nurses and health care staff he works with.”

Jyric Sims (Photo: HCA Healthcare)

HCA Healthcare announces president of West Florida Division

Jyric Sims will serve as the next president of HCA Healthcare’s West Florida Division.

Sims will begin his new role on June 12. He will succeed Ravi Chari, who recently announced his plans to retire after 15 years with HCA to pursue opportunities in early-stage healthcare companies.

HCA’s West Florida Division includes 15 hospitals, 27 emergency room locations, 14 ambulatory surgery centers, and a host of physician practices.

Sims is currently CEO of HCA Healthcare’s Medical City Plano and Medical City Frisco hospitals. He has been with HCA Healthcare since 2011 and brings more than two decades of healthcare experience.

Richard A. Hammett, president of HCA Healthcare’s Atlantic Group, describes Sims as “

“a talented healthcare veteran who has held a number of hospital leadership positions for HCA Healthcare hospitals in Florida, Louisiana, and Texas.”

“During his career he has led a number of significant growth and expansion projects that have improved patient access to healthcare services,” Hammett said in a statement. “Jyric’s leadership experience and deep understanding of HCA Healthcare’s patients-first culture will serve him well in his new role.”

Previously, Sims served as CEO of Medical City Fort Worth, a 348-bed, acute care hospital, from 2017 to 2021.

Since joining HCA, Sims has served as vice president and chief operating officer at Tulane Health System in New Orleans, Louisiana; chief operating officer of St. Lucie Medical Center in Port St. Lucie, Florida; and associate chief operating officer at Clear Lake Regional Medical Center in Webster, Texas.

Dominica Tallarico (Photo: Allina Health)

Allina Health names chief operating officer

Dominica Tallarico has been named Allina Health’s new executive vice president and chief operations officer.

In her role, Tallarico will serve as the senior executive responsible for implementing Allina Health’s strategic plans into daily operations to meet the organization’s objectives.

Before agreeing to join Allina, Tallarico has served Advocate Health for the past 18 years, serving most recently as the executive vice president of the Illinois Market for  Advocate Health (Advocate Health was formed by the merger of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health.)

“I am honored and excited to be joining Allina Health, where I am committed to furthering the health system’s mission to serve our communities and its bold purpose of contributing to the flourishing of humanity,” Tallarico said in a statement.

“It will be a privilege to serve Allina Health and deliver on the organization’s promise of ‘All Together Better’ by changing people’s lives for the better through the integration of health care delivery models for the future. Allina Health is nationally recognized as a leader in health care, and we will build from our successes to deliver the safest, best health outcomes through equitable, affordable, accessible, and personalized care for all.”

Lisa Shannon, Allina Health president and CEO, said in a statement that the organization is “thrilled” to welcome Tallarico.

“Dominica’s thought leadership around safety and quality, consumer-driven and growth-minded innovation, and her passion for advancing health equity and access, will play an integral role in accelerating our innovative care models to provide more connected health care experience for those we are privileged to serve,” Shannon said in a statement.

Allina Health operates 10 hospitals and scores of other healthcare sites throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Northern Arizona appoints new CEO

David Cheney will serve as the next chief executive officer of Northern Arizona Healthcare.

Cheney will begin his new role on July 10. He joins Northern Arizona after serving as CEO of Sutter Health Hospitals in California, where he led a network of 24 hospitals.

At Northern Arizona, Cheney will oversee a system with two hospitals and a host of primary and specialty care facilities. He previously worked in Arizona at Samaritan Health System and as an executive at Banner Health.

In a new release, Cheney describes himself as a servant leader. He has experience in dealing with some of the challenges in northern Arizona communities, including forest fires and flooding.

“I am excited to join NAH and to work with Josh Tinkle and the entire executive team during my transition,” Cheney said in a statement. “NAH is doing wonderful work and we have the chance to build on those successes together.”

Tinkle has been serving as acting CEO of Northern Arizona. After aiding Cheney in the transition, Tinkle will return to his role as the system’s chief operating officer.

William Riley, chair of Northern Arizona Healthcare’s board of directors, says Cheney is well-qualified to help the system improve healthcare in the region.

“His prior experience at health care systems in Arizona shows he understands the complexity of health care needs and delivery in our unique state,” Riley said in a statement.

Tabula Rasa Healthcare appoints CEO, chief legal officer

Brian Adams has been named president and chief executive officer of Tabula Rasa HealthCare.

Adams has been serving as interim CEO since September 2022. He previously served as co-president and chief financial officer of the healthcare technology company, which provides medication safety solutions.

"I greatly appreciate the Board's trust and belief in me, and I am honored to continue working alongside a talented management team and dedicated employee base,” Adams said in a statement.

Michael Purcell, chairman of the company’s board, said in a statement that Adams “has brought stability to the organization and laid a strong foundation for both profitable growth and long-term value creation.”

Richard W. Rew II has been named the company’s chief legal officer and corporate secretary. He took the new role April 10.

Rew joined the company after previously serving as senior vice president, general counsel and secretary of IsoPlexis Corporation.

Reperio Health appoints chief growth officer

Naomi Levinthal has been named the chief growth officer of Reperio Health, a company providing health screening tools for the home.

Levinthal brings nearly 20 years of experience in healthcare information technology and digital health. Before joining Reperio, she served as vice president of strategy and partnerships for Memora Health.

Previously, she also served as vice president of product strategy and partnerships with AVIA Health, and managing director at the Advisory Board Company (now Optum).

“Reperio can transform wellness programs for employers, provide population health insights for care teams, and expand access to care in retail pharmacies,” Levinthal said in a statement. “I am so honored to join a company that can positively impact the entire healthcare ecosystem and bring my expertise in building high-performing teams and growing startups.”

Travis Rush, CEO and co-Founder of Reperio, said Levinthal brings impressive skills to the organization.

“With Naomi on board, we are confident that our solution will reach into every corner of our healthcare industry to influence the future of preventive health and wellness,” Rush said in a statement.

Northwell Health leader named to Ad Council’s board

Ramon Soto, senior vice president and chief marketing and communications officer at Northwell Health, has been named to the Ad Council’s Board of Directors.

Soto was named to the Ad Council’s board in late April. The Ad Council’s board includes senior marketing, media and business leaders. The Ad Council is working on a host of pressing issues, including gun violence, mental health and racial justice.

A nonprofit organization, the Ad Council has developed a host of memorable public service messages and campaigns, including Smokey Bear and Love Has No Labels.