MED MOVES: Ascension names new executive VP, and more

Sally Hurt-Deitch has taken on a new role as Ascension’s executive vice president, nursing and operations infrastructure.

Sally Hurt-Deitch

She succeeds Karen Springer, who is planning to leave Ascension on June 30.

Hurt-Deitch had served as senior vice president, operations, for Ascension since October 2021, and has worked to establish a unified strategy across Ascension’s hospitals and ambulatory facilities, the system said.

She began her career as a staff nurse, eventually working her way up to a hospital CEO and a host of leadership positions. Before joining Ascension, she served as Group/President CEO Mid-South, Memphis Market CEO and St. Francis Hospital CEO for Tenet Healthcare.

A registered nurse and native of El Paso, Texas, Hurt-Deitch has served as a chief nursing officer, chief operating officer and chief executive officer with hospitals at Tenet and HCA Healthcare.

Joseph R. Impicciche, president and CEO of Ascension, called Hurt-Deitch “a passionate and experienced healthcare leader who is committed to creating greater access to quality care for all.”

“Ascension is blessed to have someone of Sally’s talent, commitment and experience as part of our leadership team,” Impicciche said in a statement.

Charles Barbera

Tower Health names new CEO at Reading Hospital

Charles Barbera has been named the president and CEO of Reading Hospital.

Tower Health, which operates Reading Hospital, announced the appointment of Barbera. He took the position on April 4.

Barbera has served the health system for more than 25 years and has held a number of clinical and leadership roles.

He began his career at Reading Hospital in 1996. He became the chair of emergency medicine in 1999 and held the role for more than 20 years. Barbera was hailed for his role in the creation of the hospital’s trauma center and the development of the pediatric and psychiatric emergency departments. More recently, he helped expand the hospital’s telehealth efforts in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Barbera said in a statement he’s honored to lead the hospital

"As one of the finest healthcare centers in the nation, the hospital is a local treasure,” Barbera said. “I am deeply committed to working closely with our physicians, nurses, and support staff to bring about an enhanced era of collaboration – putting people first in everything we do. The team at Reading Hospital are my colleagues and friends, and I cannot wait to get to work supporting and empowering the incredible care they deliver."

Isaiah Zirkle

HCA Florida Ocala Hospital announces COO

Isaiah Zirkle has been named the chief operating officer of HCA Florida Ocala Hospital. HCA Florida Healthcare said he took the role of COO on April 4.

Zirkle most recently served as the chief operating officer at HCA Healthcare’s West Hills Hospital & Medical Center in West Hills, California. He helped establish the first structural heart program in the San Fernando Valley.

Prior to that role, Zirkle was a vice president of operations with HCA Healthcare’s MountainView Hospital, an assistant chief executive officer with MountainView Regional Medical Center, and an administrative specialist at Alliance Health Midwest.

“My leading priority is to supply our colleagues with the tools they need to provide the highest level of care to our patients,” Zirkle said in a statement.

“I am thankful to join the talented team at HCA Florida OcalaHospital, and I look forward to working with our colleagues in achieving clinical excellence and continue our mission-driven approach to healthcare delivery.”

Tricia Haener

McLaren Macomb names new chief nursing officer

Tricia Haener has been named vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer at McLaren Macomb in Mount Clemens, Michigan.

Haener will take the role vacated by Julia Libcke, who left to pursue opportunities outside of McLaren Health Care, the system said.

She possesses more than 15 years of experience, beginning as a clinical nurse before moving into leadership positions.

“I’m excited to join this hospital and have the opportunity to lead such a stellar nursing staff,” Haener said in a statement. “The organization has such an extensive history in this community, earning its trust thanks in large part to the compassion and dedication of our bedside caregivers. I’m looking forward to working with our nursing leaders to build on this reputation and solidify that trust.”

McLaren Macomb has 288 acute care beds. The McLaren system includes 15 hospitals in Michigan and Ohio.

Charles “Chad” Harris

Natividad Medical Center selects CEO

Charles “Chad” Harris has been named the new chief executive officer of the Natividad Medical Center in Salinas, Calif.

Harris has been the hospital’s interim CEO since June 2021, following the retirement of the longtime CEO, Gary Gray.

Natividad, located on California’s central coast, is a teaching hospital and is owned and operated by Monterey County. His appointment was announced on March 22 by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors and the Natividad Medical Center’s Board of Trustees. The hospital is one of 21 public healthcare systems in California.

Harris has worked with Natividad since 2011.

He began his career at the hospital as a family medicine staff physician. He is the former chief of staff and, most recently, the hospital's chief medical officer.

Amber Campbell

California medical center appoints chief strategy officer

Amber Campbell has been named the new chief strategy officer of the San Ramon Regional Medical Center in California.

She started in her new role on April 4. The medical center is part of Tenet Healthcare.

The medical center said Campbell will focus on expanding San Ramon’s services.

Previously, she worked at Sutter Health, where she most recently served as the director of delivery system strategy of the South Valley.

She also served as clinical outreach coordinator & relationship manager for Sutter’s oncology services in 12 counties, and as senior department manager of Sutter’s orthopedics and podiatry departments in two counties.

Ann Lucena, the CEO of San Ramon Regional Medical Center, said Campbell will be “a wonderful addition.”

“She brings with her excellent experience and a fresh perspective in healthcare strategy,” said Lucena said in a statement.