Medical City Healthcare installs new president and CFO, and more | MED MOVES

Allen Harrison

Allen Harrison has been named the new president of HCA Healthcare’s Medical City Healthcare division.

Based in Dallas, Texas, Medical City Healthcare operates 16 hospitals and 12 ambulatory surgery centers.

Kristin Dyer

Before joining Medical City in January, Harrison served as president and CEO of Methodist Healthcare in San Antonio for four years. He previously served as CEO of Methodist Hospital and Methodist Children’s Hospital in San Antonio, and CEO at St. David’s North Austin Medical Center.

“Providing the highest level of quality, safe and compassionate care is our top priority,” Harrison said in a statement. “I am honored to work alongside and build on the excellence created by the many dedicated professionals who are already providing outstanding care in every action, every patient, every time.”

Kristin Dyer has also been named the new chief financial officer of Medical City Healthcare. She has been part of HCA Healthcare since 2013.

She previously served as chief financial officer of HCA Healthcare’s North Florida Division, which operates 15 hospitals. She also held CFO roles at Chippenham and Johnston-Willis Hospitals and at Capital Regional Medical Center in Tallahassee.

The two leaders took their roles after Erol Akdamar, Medical City president, and Ronnie Midgett, the former chief financial officer, were promoted to president and CFO of HCA Healthcare’s American Group region.

Howard Chrisman

New CEO takes over at Northwestern Memorial HealthCare

Howard Chrisman has begun serving as the new CEO at Northwestern Memorial HealthCare.

Chrisman took the role on Jan. 1, a few months after Northwestern announced he would be the next CEO. He succeeds Dean Harrison.

Most recently, Chrisman was Northwestern’s chief operating officer and president, a role he will continue to hold as CEO. Since joining Northwestern in 1997, Chrisman has served the health system in numerous leadership roles, including executive vice president of clinical operations and president of the Northwestern Medical Group.

“I am truly honored to accept this role and have the opportunity to lead a world-class health system,” Chrisman said in a statement. “In partnership with the Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine and driven by our Patients First mission, Northwestern Medicine will continue to provide world-class care, educate the next generation of physicians, and advance science and new knowledge.”

A native of New York, Chrisman, 57, has published numerous peer-reviewed journal articles and has given scientific presentations. He remains clinically active with primary expertise in treating fibroid disease using endovascular techniques.

“Dr. Chrisman has the perfect blend of clinical experience and executive leadership,” John Canning, lead independent director, Northwestern Memorial HealthCare Board of Directors, said in a statement. “We expect that under Dr. Chrisman’s leadership Northwestern Medicine will continue to advance its tripartite mission and remain Chicago’s premier academic health system.”

Heather Culp

University of Maryland Medical Center, medical school, names philanthropy officer

Heather Culp has been named the new senior vice president and chief philanthropy officer of the University of Maryland School of Medicine and the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Culp brings more than 15 years of experience managing philanthropy teams and fundraising campaigns for academic institutions. Most recently she served as executive director of development for The Fund for Johns Hopkins Medicine at Johns Hopkins University.

Culp will represent philanthropy efforts at both the medical center and the medical school, strengthening partnership across both organizations.

"As a Marylander committed to UMMC and the UM School of Medicine's public mission, I am grateful for the opportunity to join the team at this transformational moment in its history," Culp said in a statement. "I am eager to partner with leaders, donors, board members and the community to advance medical education and enhance healthcare in Baltimore and beyond."

Culp previously held fundraising roles at the University of Maryland Carey School of Law and at Washington College.

"Heather is highly accomplished and well respected in her field," Bert W. O'Malley, president and CEO of University of Maryland Medical Center, said in a statement. "Her proven ability to lead impactful campaigns and cultivate donor relationships across all levels of giving makes her the right person for this vital role.”

Rev. Leah Gunning Francis

IU Health names senior VP, chief mission values officer

Rev. Leah Gunning Francis has been named senior vice president and chief mission and values officer at Indiana University Health.

Gunning Francis will be responsible for leading spiritual care and philanthropy within the organization and IU’s communities. She’ll also lead the IU Health board committee on values, ethics and social responsibility.

“I am extremely pleased to welcome Rev. Gunning Francis to the IU Health leadership team,” Dennis Murphy, president and CEO of IU Health, said in a statement.

“She is an author, lecturer and preacher with extensive work in the pursuit of racial justice,” Murphy said. “Her depth of experience in theology and social issues, as well as her compelling style of educating others, promise to be true assets to IU Health as we continue to shape our culture.”

She joins IU Health from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, where she served as vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty since 2016. Before that, she served on the faculty at Eden Seminary in St. Louis.

Mike Backus

Oswego Health installs new chief executive

Michael Backus is the new chief executive officer of Oswego Health in New York.

Backus took the post on Jan. 1, succeeding Michael Harlovic, who retired.

He joined Oswego Health during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. He served as chief operating officer and executive vice president and aided other senior leaders in stabilizing the system.

“It is the honor of my professional life to succeed Michael Harlovic as president and CEO of Oswego Health,” Backus said in a statement.

“I thank the Board of Directors for their confidence in not only me but our entire senior leadership team,” he added. “Most importantly, I thank the employees of Oswego Health as throughout the past two years I have seen us rise to many challenges and I am impressed every day by the heroism of our caregivers.”

Oswego Health Board Chair Ed Alberts said Backus has the ability to take the system to the next level.

“Lifelong resident, a local leader, and someone who is beyond vested in this community, Backus will not only offer a smooth transition for staff but continue to advocate and position Oswego Health as a leader in local healthcare,” Alberts said in a statement.