McLaren Health Care names first chief nursing officer, and more | MED MOVES

Jennifer Montgomery (Photo: McLaren Health Care)

Jennifer M. Montgomery has been named the inaugural senior vice president and chief nursing officer of McLaren Health Care.

Montgomery assumed the newly created executive position on June 1. McLaren Health Care, based in Grand Blanc, Michigan, operates 13 hospitals and other sites of care in three states.

Montgomery possesses more than 16 years of nursing leadership and health care executive experience. She reports to Justin Klamerus, McLaren Health Care’s executive vice president and chief clinical officer.

“These past few years have put a spotlight on the truly vital and dynamic role nursing and bedside caregivers have in our patients’ overall care,” Montgomery said in a statement.

“In working and collaborating with our hospital patient care services leaders, we can share ideas and implement broad strategies so our nurses’ roles can reach their full potential and further benefit our patients,” she added. “I am excited and humbled to be named the first system Chief Nursing Officer, and grateful to McLaren leadership for their vote of confidence."

Montgomery began her career as a registered nurse at what is now McLaren Port Huron hospital. She held other posts in her journey before returning to Port Huron as the hospital’s chief nursing officer.

When McLaren Health Care acquired then-Port Huron Hospital, Montgomery remained to assume the role of President and CEO in 2015 of McLaren Port Huron. In her tenure, she oversaw multiple expansion projects and led an uptick in patient safety scores. Most recently, Montgomery served as president and CEO of McLaren St. Luke’s.

“With her history as a bedside caregiver and experience as an organizational leader, Jennifer possesses the qualities to advance the level of care and overall patient experience provided in our facilities throughout the state, and I’m honored to have her join us in this role,” Klamerus said in a statement.

Centura Health names president overseeing hospitals in Colorado, Utah

Jim Sheets has been named group president of Centura Health.

Jim Sheets (Photo: Centura Health)

Sheets will oversee CommonSpirit Health’s hospitals in Denver, For Collins, Colo., and Utah. CommonSpirit completed a deal last month to purchase five Utah hospitals from Steward Health Care.

In his role, Sheets will provide strategic and operational leadership to Longmont United Hospital, OrthoColorado Hospital, St. Anthony Hospital, St. Anthony North Hospital, St. Elizabeth Hospital and the five Holy Cross hospitals in Utah. He will also have responsibility for the health system’s growth in Denver and Utah.

Sheets began his career with CommonSpirit Health in California and Arizona. He assumed his new role on May 5.

He held leadership positions at Intermountain Healthcare over 16 years. Most recently, he served as Intermountain’s chief operating officer for acute care and provided oversight of 21 hospitals, six ambulatory surgical centers, telemedicine services and air ambulance services, including Life Flight.

Hawaii hospital system names new COO

Darlena Chadwick has been named executive vice president and chief operating officer of The Queen’s Health System in Hawaii.

Darlena Chadwick (Photo: Queen's Health System)

Chadwick first joined the organization in 2005 and most recently served as senior vice president and chief operating officer of The Queen’s Medical Center – West O‘ahu. The system said she improved patient outcomes and operating margins.

Chadwick joins the system as Queen’s is experiencing significant growth. The system says she’ll play a vital role in advancing the new strategic direction of Queen’s as the organization continues its evolution to a clinically integrated health system. Queen’s is transforming facilities across the system.

The system says her initial focus will be to increase access to care, including options at clinics and in the home.

“Darlena has a passion for reaching the highest levels of reliability, quality and safety in care delivery,” Jill Hoggard Green, president and CEO of The Queen’s Health System, said in a statement. “With her leadership, I know we can accelerate our vision of creating a clinically integrated, affordable system of care dedicated to being a lifelong partner to those we serve.”

Acadia Healthcare names new CFO

Heather Dixon has been appointed chief financial officer of Acadia Healthcare.

Heather Dixon (Photo: Acadia Healthcare)

Dixon takes the post on July 10. Acadia operates a network of 250 behavioral healthcare facilities.She succeeds David Duckworth, who has decided to step down after more than a decade as Acadia’s CFO.

Dixon comes to Acadia from Everside Health, where she serves as the CFO, overseeing the finances of an organization with 385 health centers across 34 states.

Previously, she held senior leadership positions at Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc., where she was the senior vice president, global controller and chief accounting officer. She also served with Aetna, a CVS Health Company, as vice president, controller and chief accounting officer.

Chris Hunter, Acadia’s CEO, said he’s thrilled to welcome Dixon to the organization. “Heather is a highly respected senior executive who has a proven track record of strong financial leadership at companies across the healthcare ecosystem,” Hunter said in a statement.

Dixon said she’s looking forward to joining Acadia’s leadership team.

“I am honored to be named Acadia’s next CFO and build on the company’s strong financial foundation and leadership as the largest standalone behavioral health company in the nation,” Dixon said in a statement.