For the first time, March of Dimes chooses a doctor as CEO | MED MOVES

Elizabeth Cherot has become the new president and chief executive officer of the March of Dimes, and she’s made history in the process.

Elizabeth Cherot is the new president and chief executive officer of the March of Dimes. (Photo: March of Dimes)

Cherot is the first physician to lead the organization. She took the post on July 17.

She’s been charged with developing strategies to address the nation’s maternal health crisis. Cherot will also focus on raising awareness of the March of Dimes mission.

"As a physician and mother of two children, it's simply unacceptable that our country is among the most dangerous places to give birth among high income countries today," she said in a statement. "Families are facing poor health outcomes and grave disparities, which makes our work at March of Dimes more important than ever before.”

Dr. Cherot previously led the March of Dimes’ Office of Maternal and Child Health Impact. She brings more than 20 years of experience in maternal and infant health.

Previously, Cherot served as the chief medical officer for Axia Women's Health.

Sharon Mills Higgins, chair of the March of Dimes National Board of Trustees, said Cherot’s clinical background and leadership experience “makes her the clear choice to lead our organization forward.”

“As a practicing OBGYN, she's keenly aware of the issues people are facing before, during, and after pregnancy, and is focused on ensuring we're conducting cutting-edge research and providing the best programs, education and resources to support the needs of families across the nation,” she said in a statement.

• Read more: More than 4 in 5 maternal deaths can be avoided

Jennifer Orozco, the new chief medical officer of the AAPA< with Rep. Paul Tonko, D-N.Y. (Photo: AAPA)

AAPA appoints inaugural chief medical officer

Jennifer Orozco has been named the first-ever chief medical officer of the American Academy of Physician Associates.

Orozco took the post on July 11. She previously served as the AAPA’s president and chair of the board for two years.

She will lead the organization’s clinical affairs department. She will lead efforts on national health priorities, health equity and clinician well-being, the group says.

Over the past 20 years as a physician associate, Orozco has held leadership roles at Rush University System for Health, John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, Illinois Academy of PAs and at AAPA.

“Having dedicated my career to the advancement of the PA profession and advocating for improved patient care, I am excited to work alongside the talented team at AAPA and the entire PA community,” Orozco said in a statement.

“Together, we will help shape the future of healthcare, drive innovation, and ensure that PAs continue to play a vital role in delivering exceptional medical care,” she said. “At such a transformative moment in healthcare, I am grateful for the trust placed in me to help drive our collective vision forward.”

AAPA CEO Lisa M. Gables said in a statement that Orozco “has a long-standing commitment to advocating for PAs and the patients they serve.”

Tanya Townsend, the new CIO of Stanford Medicine Children's Health (Photo: Stanford Medicine)

Stanford Children’s announces new CIO

Tanya Townsend has been named the new chief information and digital officer at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health.

Townsend will join the organization in September.

Since 2014, Townsend has served as the senior vice president and chief information officer at LCMC Health in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Previously, she served as vice president and chief information officer at Greater Baltimore Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland, and chief information officer at HSHS Eastern WI Division in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

“Tanya’s expertise in IT leadership within the health care industry, including multihospital enterprises, academic medical centers, and children’s hospitals, makes her an invaluable asset,” Rick Majzun, chief operating officer of Stanford Medicine Children’s Health, said in a statement.

“Tanya has a proven track record in implementing electronic health record and enterprise resource planning systems, driving operational excellence, and spearheading strategic planning,” he added.

Walter Reed installs new hospital director

U.S. Navy Capt. Melissa Austin is the new director of the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, a facility also known as “The President’s Hospital.”

Austin took the post in a ceremony on July 5. She succeeds U.S. Navy Capt. Felix A. Drew Bigby.

Austin previously served as the first commanding officer of the Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command at Fort Belvoir. Austin also served as the executive officer, NMRTC Portsmouth; deputy director, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth; and as the commanding officer for Expeditionary Medical Facility Juliet.

“To whom much is given, much is required,” Austin said, according to a news release from Walter Reed. “That’s why my goal is that each of you have the same passion, purpose, and pride for military medical service that I do.”

Austin is the daughter of a career Army officer. She spent seven years in the surface warfare community before earning her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center and completing her residency training in anatomic and clinical pathology at the University of Washington Medical Center.