MED MOVES: JPS Health Network selects new CEO, Abrazo Health names two new leaders, and more

Karen Duncan

JPS Health Network names new chief executive

Karen Duncan has been named president and CEO for JPS Health Network in Fort Worth, Texas. She’ll assume the new role Jan. 1.

Duncan succeeds Robert Earley, the outgoing president and CEO. Earley, who has held his post since 2009, announced his plans to retire earlier this month. Duncan currently serves as the network’s chief operating officer and has been with JPS for five years. She oversaw the transformation of the network’s medical homes and clinics.

“Dr. Duncan has been a steadfast champion of providing our community with the care they need and deserve, and I look forward to her leadership,” said Dr. Charles Webber, chairman of the JPS Board of Managers.

The JPS network serves Tarrant County, home to more than 2 million residents. Duncan said she was humbled and honored to take the post.

Omar Pineda

“JPS is well positioned to lead the transformation of healthcare delivery in Tarrant County and to improve lives within the many communities we serve,” Duncan said in a statement.

Abrazo Health names two new leaders

Abrazo Health in Arizona has recently named two new CEOs at its facilities.

Omar Pineda has been named CEO for Abrazo Central Campus in Phoenix and Abrazo Mesa Hospital. Pineda previously was chief operating officer at Abrazo Arrowhead Campus in Glendale.

As COO at Abrazo Arrowhead Campus, Pineda developed hospital programs and guided the development of Abrazo’s Surprise and Cave Creek micro-hospitals, the system said in a news release. He also provided leadership during COVID-19 pandemic surges.

Hans Driessnack

Previously, Pineda served as national senior director of patient experience and service for Abrazo’s parent organization, Tenet Healthcare. Pineda is a former emergency department nurse and has also been a hospital nursing executive leader and organ transplant program leader.

Hans Driessnack is the new CEO of the Abrazo West Campus in Goodyear, Ariz. He took the post on Nov. 1.

Driessnack had previously served as CEO of Northwest Medical Center, a 222-bed regional trauma center in Springdale, Ark. At Northwest, he was credited with expanding hospital services and improving patient experience, clinical service and employee engagement.

Beth Steele

He previously served as chief operations officer at Heartland Medical Center in Marion, Ill., and as COO at Galesburg Cottage Hospital in Galesburg, Ill. He also held other administrative positions with Lovelace Medical Center and Lovelace Westside Hospital in Albuquerque, N.M.

Owensboro Health selects new COO

Beth Steele has been named the new chief operating officer of Owensboro Health Regional Hospital. She’ll assume her new role at the 477-bed hospital on Jan. 10.

Steele is currently vice president of operations and chief nursing officer for Grant Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio, which is part of the OhioHealth system. She has held executive positions at OhioHealth since 2014. Steele has also been the hospital’s lead executive throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and was credited with achieving financial stability and avoiding layoffs.

Before joining OhioHealth, Steele worked for 16 years with Premier Health, based in Dayton, Ohio.

Ralph Alee

Carilion Clinic names first VP for philanthropy

Ralph Alee was recently named the inaugural vice president for philanthropy at the Carilion Clinic in Roanoke, Va.

Alee, who has 30 years in philanthropy management, will take a lead role in Carilion’s $100 million campaign to build a new cancer center. He’ll also oversee fundraising efforts throughout Carilion’s system, according to a news release. Alee will direct day-to-day operations of the Carilion Clinic Foundation.

Before joining Carilion in October, he served as executive director of philanthropy in medicine for the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University. He previously held development positions at the University of Florida Health and UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital, St. John Hospital and Medical Center and Henry Ford Health System.