MED MOVES: Ascension names first VP of consumer experience, and more

Carol Campbell

After stints with Disney and Delta, Carol Campbell has been named Ascension’s inaugural senior vice president of consumer experience.

Campbell took the new post on Jan. 24. The company said she’ll be responsible for developing “differentiated consumer and patient experiences across Ascension.”

Before joining Ascension, Campbell worked at Delta Air Lines as global leader for consumer insight and global customer experience since 2018. She also worked at the Walt Disney Company in a number of leadership roles, most recently as director of cast and guest experience strategy at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

Craig Cordola, Ascension’s executive vice president and chief operating officer, hailed Campbell’s experience for the company’s new role.

“Ensuring a consistent, exceptional experience for those we serve is essential to living our brand promise of listening to provide compassionate, personalized care and is a key enabler of our Strategic Plan,” Cordola said in a statement.

Ascension, a faith-based healthcare organization, manages 142 hospitals and more than 2,600 care sites across the country.

Rohit Chandra

Cleveland Clinic names new digital officer

Rohit Chandra has been named Cleveland Clinic’s new chief digital officer.

Chandra will oversee the system’s information technology division and all digital operations worldwide. He takes the role on Feb. 14.

He brings more than 25 years of experience in digital technology and engineering, the system said in a news release.

Tom Mihaljevic, president and CEO of the Cleveland Clinic, said in a statement, “Dr. Chandra has proved himself a visionary in applying these tools and technologies. His fresh perspective will benefit our patients, caregivers and organization as Cleveland Clinic grows to touch more lives around the world.”

Chandra previously worked as vice president of engineering at Sunshine Products, a technology startup in Palo Alto, Calif. Prior to that, he served as senior vice president of search and advertising at Verizon Media. He also spent 13 years at Yahoo, where he held several engineering leadership roles.

Kim Hunter

University of Iowa hospitals system interim CEO

Kimberly Hunter has been named the interim chief executive officer of University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics.

She will take the position beginning March 1. Hunter will take the role following the departure of Suresh Gunasekaran, the current CEO.

Suresh Gunasekaran

Hunter joined UI Hospitals & Clinics as chief nurse executive last year. She brings nearly two decades of experience at two of America’s most highly regarded hospitals: Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic.

Gunasekaran is leaving to serve as president and CEO of the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Health. He will work with Hunter through the end of February to ensure a smooth transition.

The system expects to launch a national search to find a permanent CEO soon.

“I am incredibly proud of what the team achieved during my years here at Iowa and that this strong hospital leadership team will continue to be successful,” says Gunasekaran.

“It’s been an honor to serve the state of Iowa and its patient care needs both now and plan for future health care and medical education needs. Moving my family back to San Francisco to lead an academic medical center with such a storied history is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I couldn’t let pass.”

Kim McDowell

Alaska hospital system announces leadership changes

The Bartlett Regional Hospital in Alaska announced a promotion and a new addition to the executive team.

Jerel Humphrey, Bartlett’s interim CEO, announced the promotion of Kim McDowell to chief clinical officer. McDowell has been with Bartlett since 2015 and was elevated to chief nursing officer in 2021. She previously served as director of the emergency department.

Robert Tyk

"I have been very impressed with Kim's ability to collaborate across different clinical departments to problem solve since I have been with Bartlett," Humphrey said in a news release. "I appreciate her willingness to take on this new role and am confident she has the support of our staff behind her to help her succeed."

Bartlett has also hired Robert “Bob” Tyk as the interim chief financial officer. He will join Bartlett at the end of February. He has spent 45 years in the healthcare industry, with 30 years of service as either a CEO or chief financial officer.

Humphrey has been working as interim CEO since October 2021. The system is going to conduct a nationwide search to find a permanent chief executive.