Hospital for Special Surgery names CEO of Florida division, and more | MED MOVES

Hospital for Special Surgery has appointed Tara M. McCoy to the new position of chief executive officer of HSS Florida.

Tara McCoy

The organization touted the step as part of its commitment to improving musculoskeletal health in the Sunshine State. HSS opened its first Florida campus in Palm Beach in 2020, and has expanded to Florida’s west coast through a relationship with Naples-based NCH Health.

McCoy brings more than 20 years of healthcare leadership experience with Cleveland Clinic, Tenet Healthcare, and others. She most recently served with GenesisCare, a provider of oncology services, where she oversaw the West Florida region.

"It is an honor to take on this new role and I look forward to expanding the reach and impact of HSS across the state of Florida," McCoy said in a statement. "I am committed to utilizing my healthcare knowledge and Florida community experiences to continue building on the great work that has already begun."

HSS President and CEO Louis A. Shapiro said McCoy’s appointment “demonstrates the commitment to excellence and earned leadership that define the HSS approach to transforming healthcare.”

John J. Warner

Ohio State appoints CEO of Wexner Medical Center

The Ohio State University has tapped John J. Warner to serve as CEO of the Wexner Medical Center.

He will also serve as executive vice president at Ohio State. Warner will join Ohio State on April 1. The university said Warner will also work closely with Ohio State leaders to advance the academic medical center and research initiatives.

Kristina M. Johnson, Ohio State’s president, called Warner “an outstanding new Buckeye.”

“With three decades of service, Dr. Warner is uniquely suited to lead the Wexner Medical Center at a time when access to high-quality health care is more important than ever and near-daily advancements in technology and research are reshaping the medical landscape,” Johnson said in a statement.

Warner comes to Ohio State from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, where he has served as CEO of the UT Southwestern Health System, as well as executive vice president for health system affairs, since 2018. Previously, Warner was CEO of UT Southwestern University Hospitals and Clinics.

“This is an exciting time to be joining such an esteemed and respected academic medical center and university,” Warner said in a statement.

“Few institutions have such a bold vision combined with the comprehensive breadth and depth of programs and a strong focus on improving health equity,” he said. “The opportunity to make a lasting impact alongside this community of exceptional faculty, staff and learners is both inspiring and exciting. I can’t wait for our work together to start.”

Ije Akunyili

Jersey City Medical Center names new chief medical officer

Ije Akunyili has been named the new chief medical officer of Jersey City Medical Center, an RWJBarnabas Health facility.

Akunyili, who took the post Jan. 2, is the first Black chief medical officer at Jersey City.

She previously served as the regional medical director for TeamHealth, Northeast Group, where she had oversight of nearly 20 emergency departments, critical care, and hospitalist service lines in Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Pennsylvania. Previously, Dr. Akunyili served as the chair of emergency medicine at Waterbury Hospital.

“I am grateful for this opportunity, and I look forward to serving the residents of Hudson County and continuing to provide safe, innovative, efficient, and equitable care,” Akunyili said in a statement. “It is a true privilege to lead the clinical effort at Jersey City Medical Center and to create sustainable health outcomes for our community.”

Andy Anderson, executive vice president and chief medical and quality officer for RWJBarnabas Health, called Akunyili “a tremendous asset to our team.”

“Her experience managing multi-specialty physician groups in integrated health care systems will help support Jersey City Medical Center in providing comprehensive health care throughout the community,” Anderson said in a statement.

Mark Miller

TriStar Skyline Medical Center gets new CEO

Mark Miller has been named the chief executive officer of TriStar Skyline Medical Center, an HCA Healthcare facility in Nashville, Tenn.

Miller will oversee the medical center, a 353-bed hospital, and the 121-bed behavioral health hospital, TriStar Skyline Madison Campus, in Madison, Tenn.

Miller previously served as the CEO at West Hills Hospital in West Hills, California. He led West Hills, an HCA facility in the west Los Angeles area, for four years. Miller has been with HCA Healthcare for 12 years and has served in a variety of leadership roles within the organization.

“I look forward to working alongside the exceptional team at TriStar Skyline and continuing to foster a strong culture where colleagues and physicians can passionately provide excellent care to our patients,” Miller said in a statement. “I am excited to return home to Middle Tennessee and am committed to providing services that improve lives and move our community forward.”

G. Cameron Deemer, left, and James Chen

DrFirst founder names CEO, transitions to executive chairman

DrFirst has a new chief executive officer, and the company’s founder, James Chen, has moved to a new role.

G. Cameron Deemer became the new CEO beginning Jan. 1. Chen, who created the company and had been serving as CEO, will now serve as executive chairman of DrFirst’s board.

DrFirst offers a host of technology solutions for healthcare organizations, including care collaboration, medication management and price transparency.

“I am honored to take this next step as CEO to continue James Chen’s legacy of innovation,” Deemer said in a statement. “His commitment to creating practical solutions to complex problems while empowering healthcare providers and their patients to achieve better health will continue to inspire all of us at DrFirst.

Deemer joined the company in 2004 and became the president in 2006.

Chen, who founded DrFirst in 2000, hailed Deemer’s work with the company.

“Over the past 18 years, Cam has been a tremendous partner to me,” Chen said in a statement. “We have worked side-by-side, leading DrFirst’s growth from a startup e-prescribing company to the world-class medication management company it is today.”