Intermountain Health names leader of Nevada children’s hospital, and more | MED MOVES

Nevada is poised to get its first standalone children’s hospital, and that hospital now has its first leader.

Lawrence Barnard

Intermountain Health has named Lawrence Barnard as the new president of the children’s hospital the system is building in Nevada. Barnard is moving up from his current position as associate vice president of Intermountain Children’s Health in Nevada.

Barnard, who is the former chief executive officer of University Medical Center in Southern Nevada.

“For too long, we have seen families struggle more than they needed to when they get a diagnosis or traumatic injury, where they had to leave the state to care for their loved one,” Barnard said in a statement. “It has become my personal mission to make sure that they will now get the best quality care here, near their home.”

Katy Welkie, vice president of Intermountain Children’s Health, said Barnard will inspire “transformative benefits.”

"Larry’s extensive experience in healthcare leadership and deep connections to Nevada and Las Vegas make him the ideal first president of the Intermountain Health Nevada Children’s Hospital, which is expected to start serving patients and families in 2030,” Welkie said in a statement.

Intermountain has been engaged in a $600 million campaign to boost pediatric care across the system.

Dave Caspers

Ardent Health names chief operating officer

Dave Caspers has been appointed the new chief operating officer of Ardent Health.

A for-profit system based in Tennessee, Ardent operates 30 hospitals and 280 clinics and outpatient locations in six states.

Caspers previously served as vice president of omnichannel operations at Walmart Health. He also held various leadership roles at Banner Health. He also led retail healthcare operations for Target Corporation.

“I am thrilled to join Ardent Health at such a significant time in the company’s growth,” Caspers said in a statement. “Ardent has a proven track record of delivering high-quality care with a focus on making healthcare better for the patient, the providers and team members, and the communities it serves. I look forward to being part of a team that is passionate about creating a consumer-first experience and building on the strong momentum they have created.”

Marty Bonick, president and CEO of Ardent Health, hailed Caspers’ accomplishments.

“His extensive experience creating scale and operational synergies within complex health systems and retail health environments will be instrumental as we continue to execute on our strategic growth priorities,” Bonick said in a statement.

Heather Masters

VCU Medical Center names chief medical officer

Heather Masters, MD, has been named the new chief medical officer of VCU Medical Center.

Masters has been serving in an interim capacity and the medical center, and the organization elevated her to a permanent role last week.

In her new role, Masters will also serve as associate dean for clinical activities at VCU School of Medicine.

She has served as the associate chief medical officer of clinical operations at VCU Medical Center, as well as medical director of the One Call Center. Masters is also an associate professor of internal medicine and academic hospitalist at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine.

Previously, Masters also served as the project lead of an effort to examine inpatient capacity, and she was the physician lead for the medical center’s COVID-19 Operations Group.

Karen Knudsen

Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy names CEO

Karen E. Knudsen has been named the new chief executive officer of The Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy.

Knudsen previously served as the CEO of the American Cancer Society. The institute is approaching its 10-year anniversary, and said Knudsen could help ensure more progress in research to help cancer patients.

The institute also said Knudsen can provide valuable leadership at a time of uncertain support for medical research.

"For nearly a decade, PICI has been at the forefront of transforming cancer treatment through the power of immunotherapy—reshaping what is possible in the fight against this disease,” Knudsen said in a statement.

“But there is more to be done, particularly at this critical time. I believe the institute’s bold, unique model and long-term commitment to catalyzing innovations into clinical testing and near-term patient benefits are exactly the type of support needed to drive continued progress against cancer. This is all the more critical despite the current funding climate.”