MED MOVES: Highmark Health elevates two leaders, and more

Highmark Health has announced leadership changes in its western Pennsylvania market, including the 14-hospital Allegheny Health Network.

Cynthia Hundorfean and Bruce Meyer

Cynthia Hundorfean, president and CEO of Allegheny Health Network, is moving into a new enterprise role as Highmark’s chief living health development officer. Highmark also announced the appointment of Bruce A. Meyer to serve in a newly created position as executive vice president and Western PA market president for Highmark Health.

Hundorfean joined Highmark Health as AHN's president in 2016. She has led a nearly $2 billion investment and transformation strategy to expand the network’s footprint, Highmark said in a release.

Hundorfean will continue reporting to Highmark Health President and CEO David Holmberg and will focus on advocating for the organization’s “Living Health” model, a payer-provider system aimed at improving health outcomes and lowering costs.

Hundorfean moves into her new position on January 1, 2023.

"I am so excited to assume this new role that will enable me to have a much broader impact on the transformation of health care regionally and nationally beyond all the amazing things we are doing at AHN,” Hundorfean said in a statement.

Meyer is coming to Highmark Health after serving as president of Jefferson Health in Philadelphia and senior executive vice president of Thomas Jefferson University.

In his new role at Highmark Health, Meyer will oversee Highmark Health's blended payer-provider strategy in western Pennsylvania market, including the operations of both Highmark Insurance and the Allegheny Health Network.

Meyer will join Highmark on Dec. 5.

"This is a tremendous opportunity to join an innovative, visionary leadership team and culture that is setting the standard in value-based care that others will be measured by,” Meyer said in a statement.

Michael Mewhirter

Kettering Health selects interim CEO

Michael Mewhirter has been named the interim chief executive officer of Kettering Health, which operates 14 medical centers in Ohio.

Kettering Health made the announcement Nov. 8. Mewhirter is the system’s chief financial officer. He becomes the interim CEO following the announcement that Kettering Health CEO Fred Manchur plans to retire after leading the system for nearly 12 years.

“It is an honor for me to take the interim post and guide an organization that I care deeply about through our next chapter in service to our communities,” Mewhirter said in a statement.

“I’m particularly excited about leading the great people in our system as they strive to provide high-quality, innovative care delivered with compassion and respect for every patient and family member. Kettering Health is an incredible organization, and I thank the board and our leadership for the trust they’ve put in me," he said.

Dave Weigley, chairman of the Kettering Health board, called Mewhirter a “dynamic and experienced interim leader.”

“The Kettering Health board is highly confident that Michael has the qualifications to ensure Kettering Health’s success until a permanent CEO is named,” Weigley said in a statement.

The Kettering Health board has appointed a search committee to find the permanent CEO.

Manchur worked with Kettering Health for 21 years. He plans to step down on December 31.

“It has been the greatest blessing of my life to work alongside the incredible medical professionals and staff of Kettering Health for more than 20 years,” Manchur said in a statement. “Their accomplishments and the progress we have made as a hospital system are a great source of pride for me in our service to this community.”

Jarett Rieger

Moffitt Cancer Center names first chief innovation officer

Jarett Rieger, has been named Moffitt Cancer Center’s new vice president and chief innovation officer, a first for the organization.

Rieger is taking on a new role with the system. He joined Moffitt in 2004 and will continue to oversee Moffitt’s Office of Innovation and Industry Alliances, which focuses on commercializing intellectual property and forging industry partnerships.

Rieger has been the lead negotiator on partnerships with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, the cancer center said in a news release.

He helped broker a multiyear research collaboration with Turnstone Biologics to develop new therapies. Rieger also helped develop a 10-year research alliance with Deerfield Management to accelerate the development of new cancer therapeutics.

Rieger has spurred the growth of the Office of Innovation and Industry Alliances, which has secured 241 U.S. patents and executed 238 licenses and intellectual property agreements, the organization said.

James Mulé, Moffitt’s associate center director of translational science, praised Rieger’s contributions.

“Jarett has been highly instrumental to the growth and success of Moffitt’s Office of Innovation and Industry Alliances. I have no doubt he will continue to forge and further expand relationships with the biotech industry and advance Moffitt technologies and discoveries in his new leadership role,” Mulé said in a statement.

The Moffitt Cancer Center is one of 53 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers.

Michael Del Trecco

Vermont hospital group names permanent CEO

After leading in an interim capacity, Michael Del Trecco has been named the president and CEO of the Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems.

Del Trecco previously served as the senior vice president of finance and operations.He has been with the organization for 18 years.

“This is an incredible honor, and I am humbled by the trust and confidence our hospital leaders have placed in me,” Del Trecco said in a statement.

“We have been hard at work finding solutions to the most difficult issues our health care system has faced in modern history,” he said. “As a system of community-based and community-led hospitals, we exist solely to serve those who need our care. We know the work ahead will be difficult, but we are focused and committed to making progress.”

Claudio Fort, president and CEO of Rutland Regional Medical Center and chair of the Vermont association’s board, cited Del Trecco’s experience.

“This is a crucial time for our hospitals, and we highly value Mike’s experience, integrity and the respect he has rightfully earned from health care and policy leaders across Vermont,” Fort said in a statement. “We are pleased to welcome Mike as our next leader.”

Amy Hoey

Lowell General Hospital promotes president

Amy Hoey has been named the president of Lowell General Hospital.

Hoey becomes the first registered nurse to serve as president of the hospital in its 130-year history.

She succeeds Jody White as president, but White will continue to serve as chief executive officer. White is also taking on an expanded role with the Tufts Medicine system, and he’ll focus on advancing the mission of its integrated physician network, the hospital said in a news release.

“It continues to be a great honor to work with an incredibly talented team that brings Lowell General’s standards of excellence to bear every day,” Hoey said in a statement. “As our hospital enters a new chapter in our great history, I’m excited to leverage the potential of Tufts Medicine and advocate for the growing health needs of Greater Lowell’s patients and their families.”

Hoey joined the hospital in 1997 as a nursing clinical leader and has held several leadership positions, becoming chief operating officer in 2013.

“Amy Hoey is a proven leader who is deeply respected by our staff and physician community,” White said in a statement.