MED MOVES: University of Chicago Medicine names new leader, and more

Mark Anderson has been named the next leader of University of Chicago Medicine.

Mark Anderson

Anderson will serve as  executive vice president for medical affairs, dean of the division of the biological sciences and dean of the Pritzker School of Medicine. He will take the new role beginning Oct. 1, 2022.

Anderson is leaving a key role at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where he is director of the department of medicine, the William Osler Professor of Medicine and physician-in-chief of The Johns Hopkins Hospital. Before joining Johns Hopkins in 2014, he led the Cardiovascular Research Center and the Department of Medicine at the University of Iowa and served on the medical faculty at Vanderbilt University, where he directed educational and clinical programs.

A big part of his duties will be leading University of Chicago Medicine’s efforts to improve health equity in Chicago.

“I am thrilled and humbled to join the University of Chicago community, and look forward to the opportunity to work across the university and the South side to promote biomedical discovery, education and health,” Anderson said in a statement.

Anderson is a leading expert on cardiac arrhythmias and heart failure, the system said in a news release. He has published more than 160 peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters and book reviews.

Paul Alivisatos, president of the University of Chicago, said Anderson “is an extraordinarily talented and globally respected medical leader.”

“Mark is in a strong position to lead growth of our clinical enterprise and will have a significant focus on the expansion of UCM’s regional health system,” he said in a statement.

Mike Thomas

John Muir Health names president and CEO

Mike Thomas has been named the next president and CEO of John Muir Health outside San Francisco.

Thomas will assume the new role on October 1. He serves as executive vice president and chief transformation officer at John Muir Health, and he’s been with the system for 14 years.

He succeeds Cal Knight who is retiring after more than 11 years at John Muir Health.

Thomas will become the third president and CEO in the 25-year history of John Muir Health. The system was formed after the merger of two hospitals and a physician group in 1997.

Kathleen Odne, chair of John Muir Health’s board of directors, said Thomas was the choice following a search that attracted more than 60 candidates.

“His experience, leadership and relationship-building skills, communications acumen and academic qualifications have prepared him very well to lead John Muir Health,” Odne said in a statement.

Thomas has served as president and chief administrative officer of the health system’s 244-bed acute care hospital and 73-bed psychiatric hospital in Concord, California.  Thomas has also been credited with developing a strategic partnership with UCSF Health. The two health systems are building a cancer network to improve cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Prior to joining John Muir Health, Mr. Thomas served as senior vice president at VHA West Coast. His career also includes seven years as the chief strategic development officer for UCSF Medical Center and Children’s Hospital.

Jill Johnson VanKuren

Saratoga Hospital hires new president

Jill Johnson VanKuren has been named the new president and CEO of Saratoga Hospital, part of the Albany Med Health System.

VanKuren will take the post on Sept. 19. She succeeds Angelo Calbone, who will retire in August.

VanKuren currently serves as senior vice president of operations and chief operating officer at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center.

She has worked at MedStar Health System, the largest integrated healthcare system in the Baltimore-Washington area, for 17 years. She’s held leadership positions at both the corporate and hospital levels of the system.

“I have a deep respect for the community and the culture that the people of Saratoga Hospital have built over the years,” VanKuren said in a news release. “I look forward to building on that strong foundation as we evolve to support the future needs of the community. I am honored to have been selected to lead this team.”

Saratoga Hospital Board of Trustees Chairperson Michael J. Toohey praised her understanding of the “vital role of a community hospital in a larger health system.”

“She shares our commitment to maintaining Saratoga Hospital’s reputation for exceptional quality and personal attention while bringing the benefits of the Albany Med Health System to our patients and community,” Toohey said in a news release.

Jamie Kiggen

XSOLIS names two new leaders

XSOLIS, an artificial intelligence technology company, recently announced two key leadership hires.

Michael Drescher

Jamie Kiggen joins XSOLIS as chief financial officer, and Michael Drescher has been hired as the company's vice president of payer strategy.

As chief financial officer, Kiggen will work with the senior leadership team to support the company's continued growth. He brings 30 years of experience in finance and technology to this role. He most recently served as chief financial officer of Kyruus, a healthcare company.

“Eliminating friction and waste in operational decision-making is an area that is ripe for transformation," Kiggen said in a news release. "I'm excited to contribute my experience to help the company continue on its impressive growth trajectory,” Kiggen said.

Drescher is a seasoned healthcare and communications professional with more than 20 years' experience. Most recently, he served as director of value-based contracting at .BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee.

"After working with payers for over a decade, I'm thrilled to be joining an organization as dynamic as XSOLIS," Drescher said in a statement. "I look forward to helping the company elevate its presence among payer organizations and continue to enhance payer-provider relations through its technology."