Jefferson Health names new president, and more | MED MOVES

Baligh Yehia has been named the new president of Jefferson Health in Philadelphia.

Baligh Yehia

Jefferson Health CEO Joseph G. Cacchione announced that Yehia will take the post  effective Jan. 17, 2023.

Yehia worked with Cacchione at the Ascension system. At Ascension, Yehia served as senior vice president leading system-wide health operations. He also served as president of Ascension Medical Group, which is one of the nation’s largest medical groups, with nearly 9,000 clinicians.

“I’m thrilled to welcome Dr. Yehia to Jefferson and believe no one is better suited to lead Jefferson Health at this pivotal moment in healthcare,” Cacchione said in a statement.

“Having had the opportunity to work with Dr. Yehia previously, I’ve witnessed firsthand his passion for improving community health, as well as his acumen for accelerating transformation and driving growth,” he said. “His experience with clinical integration across complex organizations like ours will serve us well into the future.”

Before working at Ascension, Yehia held leadership roles at Johns Hopkins Medicine, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and the University of Pennsylvania.

“I am honored to become President of Jefferson Health,” Yehia said in a statement.

“I am excited to return to Philadelphia and look forward to working with Jefferson’s talented team to care for our diverse communities. I am confident that together, and with the leadership of Dr. Cacchione, we’ll discover new and innovative ways to enhance the overall patient and clinician experience throughout the enterprise.”

Yehia also has worked to close disparities in healthcare among disadvantaged groups and talked about health equity at the HIMSS Global Health Conference in March. He talked about the importance of reaching out to the community to gauge needs but also being prepared to offer help.

“When you think about social determinants of health and asking these questions, clinicians and care team members really want to intervene,” Yehia said. “They don’t want to just ask the questions.”

“So when you think about designing programs, it’s not just a questionnaire. It’s about, how do you put in place very specific interventions?” (Baligh Yehia spoke with Chief Healthcare Executive about health equity in this video shot at the HIMSS conference.)

Amid financial woes, Providence announces new treasurer

Rafael Martinez-Chapman has been named the new senior vice president and treasurer of Providence.

Rafael Martinez-Chapman

Martinez-Chapman has been serving in the role since Dec. 21. He has spent the last 14 years at Ldumen Technologies, where he has served as senior vice president, treasurer and head of corporate finance.

Providence, one of the nation’s largest health systems, operates 52 hospitals and 950 clinics. The system has been struggling financially, reporting a net operating loss of $1.1 billion in the first nine months of 2022. The system said it has been hit with higher costs, while revenues and reimbursements haven’t kept up.

Martinez-Chapman will report to Greg Hoffman, Providence’s chief financial officer. Providence hailed Martinez-Chapman’s experience managing global teams, his knowledge of capital markets and risk management.

“I look forward to Rafael’s contributions, especially as we continue navigating the recovery journey ahead of us. His skills and background will serve the family of organizations well, helping to ensure that we always respond to the times and carry the Mission into the future,” Hoffman said in a statement.

Martinez-Chapman possesses 25 years of financial experience in different industries.

“Inspired by Providence’s Mission of serving all, I look forward to using my experience to ease the way for caregivers and patients. I am excited about joining the Providence family and helping Greg execute the new initiatives,” Martinez-Chapman said in a statement.

Colorado hospital president takes post at UPMC

Joel Yuhas, who has spent six years as president and CEO of UCHealth Memorial and UCHealth’s facilities in the Pikes Peak region, is leaving for a new position at UPMC.

Joel Yuhas

Yuhas is taking on a new role as president of UPMC’s Health Services Division, where he will oversee a network of 37 hospitals in Pennsylvania, New York and Maryland.

Yuhas joined UCHealth Memorial Hospital in January 2017. UCHealth credited Yuhas with establishing a stroke center and expanding services for primary care, behavioral health, cardiology and oncology. He also played a key role in COVID-19 response efforts.

“My time here has been a highlight of my career that I will always fondly remember,” Yuhas said in a statement. “I am particularly grateful to have been a part of UCHealth and this region as we have grown over the years, improving access and delivering better care for our patients.”

Yuhas will enjoy a homecoming of sorts. He previously managed three hospitals for UPMC and served as senior vice president for international operations with UPMC, overseeing their hospital and cancer center operations in Ireland, Italy and the United Kingdom.

Prior to joining UCHealth, he was president and CEO of St. Mary Medical Center, part of Dignity Health, in Long Beach, California.

Elizabeth Concordia, UCHealth president and CEO, thanked Yuhas for his dedication.

“Patient quality, safety and experience have been priorities under his leadership,” Concordia said in a statement. “Joel has also created strong connections between UCHealth and the communities we serve, helping extend our community benefits and improving the overall health of millions of Colorado residents.”

BayCare Health System selects president of 2 hospitals

Kelly Enriquez has been named the president of two hospitals in the BayCare Health System in FLorida: Mease Countryside and Mease Dunedin hospitals.

Kelly Enriquez

She took the role on Nov. 28.

Enriquez has 16 years of experience in hospital leadership, serving most recently as CEO at Shorepoint Health-Venice in Florida. In her new role, she will be tasked with overseeing day-to-day operations at the two hospitals.

Lou Galdieri, BayCare's co-chief operating officer, said he’s excited to have Enriquez leading both hospitals..

"What stood out was a leadership style that focuses on people - even demonstrating this by stopping to answer a call-light while touring one of our hospitals,” Galdieri said in a statement. “She is an exceptional leader and a strong fit for our culture and values.''

Prior to her role at Shorepoint, Enriquez served in various leadership positions in Florida hospitals, including COO for Lawnwood Regional Medical Center, and president and CEO of Sebastian River Medical Center.

"I'm thrilled to join BayCare and Mease Countryside and Mease Dunedin Hospitals and truly feel connected with the values that drive them,'' Enriquez said in a statement. "I want to work hand-in-hand with our team members to continue to support them as they work at the bedside. Together, we will navigate the challenges facing health care markets today and in the future.''

Shan Cooper

Grady Health Foundation appoints board chairperson

Shan Cooper has been named the new chairperson of the board of the Grady Health Foundation in Atlanta, Ga.

Cooper will begin serving as chair of the foundation board effective January 1, 2023. She succeeds Drew Evans, retired CFO of Southern Company, who will remain a member of the foundation board.

As chair, Cooper will work with members of the foundation board and staff as well as executives from throughout the health system to raise funding to support critical priorities.

"It is my honor and privilege to assume this role at such a pivotal point in healthcare for Atlanta," Cooper said in a statement. "I look forward to continued collaboration with community leaders and organizations to bring much-needed health resources to those who need it most."

Grady has identified several needs, some that are related to the recent closure of Atlanta Medical Center. Grady is looking at providing more options for primary care, expanding the Walter L. Ingram Burn Center and other in-hospital clinics, and adding beds at the Crestview Health & Rehabilitation Center, which remains at or near capacity, the system said.

“As the need for Grady's services continues to grow at a rapid pace due to fallout from the pandemic, an increase in traumatic injuries, and the recent closure of Atlanta Medical Center, we are thrilled that Shan is willing to bring her energy and experience to this critical role," John Haupert, Grady’s president and CEO, said in a statement. "We are grateful for Drew's leadership in recent years and for his willingness to continue to play a role in our efforts to increase philanthropic support for Grady."

Robin Geiger

Ingenovis Health selects senior vice president

Robin Geiger has been named the senior vice president of clinician advocacy of Ingenovis Health, Inc.

Based in Colorado, Ingenovis is a firm that provides talent and fills workforce needs.

In her new position, Geiger will lead the company’s ACT Program, which leverages listening and data collection to better understand retention and attrition factors.

“Robin’s arrival could not have come at a more optimal time,” Bart Valdez, chief executive officer of Ingenovis Health, said in a statement. “As the industry continues to experience record-high levels of provider burnout, her clinical, academic and executive leadership skills will be instrumental in fulfilling our purpose to continue to build a home for healthcare talent.”

Geiger previously served as associate dean of academic affairs for National University, School of Health Professions, where she was focused on strategic planning, clinical program development, and academic operations.

“It is an honor and a privilege to guide this purposeful program as we lead a movement in clinician advocacy,” Geiger said in a statement.

“The conditions for healthcare workers have dramatically changed, and our providers and clients need to know we are listening, adapting and walking the walk,” Geiger said. “The ACT program delivers the missing link in providing healthcare workers with the essential tools and resources to grow, flourish and advance in their careers. It is a bold and exciting concept that I’m proud to lead.”

Ingenovis is the parent company of Trustaff Travel Nurses, Fastaff Travel Nursing, and other brands.