Michigan Medicine names next CEO, and more | MED MOVES

David Miller, MD has been named the next chief executive officer of Michigan Medicine.

David Miller

Miller will begin serving as the University of Michigan’s executive vice president for medical affairs and CEO of Michigan Medicine on July 1, 2025. He’ll succeed Marschall S. Runge, MD, who has served as CEO of Michigan Medicine since March 2015. Runge said in July that he intends to retire next year after his contract expires on June 30.

A urologist and surgeon, Miller is a leader in urological oncology, the system says. He is the executive vice dean of clinical affairs for the university’s medical school and president of U-M Health, overseeing Michigan Medicine’s clinical enterprise. He has held that role since 2021 and led U-M Health through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Miller praised Runge’s leadership and said he is “humbled by this immense opportunity.”

“I am also deeply grateful for the opportunity to continue working with our extraordinary team members across Michigan Medicine — who give so much of themselves every day — to positively impact the lives of the patients and communities that entrust us with their care,” Miller said in a statement.

“Moving forward, I am committed to working intentionally and collaboratively with colleagues from across the health system, Medical School and the broader university to ensure that the University of Michigan retains its position as the place where patients want to receive care, colleagues want to work, discover and educate, and students want to learn,” Miller said.

Miller previously served as chief clinical officer for University Hospital and the Frankel Cardiovascular Center. He joined the University of Michigan faculty in 2008.

Santa J. Ono, president of the University of Michigan, called Miller “an extraordinary leader, a brilliant researcher and the kind of doctor we all hope for when we need exemplary care.”

Jack Lynch

Main Line Health CEO plans to retire

Jack Lynch, the longtime president and chief executive officer of Main Line Health, has announced his plans to retire.

Lynch says he will step down on June 30, 2025. He began serving as CEO of the Pennsylvania health system in 2005.

Under his leadership, Main Line Health separated from Jefferson Health System. Main Line Health added Riddle Hospital and Mirmont Treatment Center to the organization.

Lynch said leading Main Line has been “the honor and privilege of my career.”

“The past two decades has seen the system undergo remarkable growth and transformation, positioning us as an employer and care provider of choice,” Lynch said in a statement. “It’s our people who make a difference. I am extremely proud of what we have been able to accomplish together and excited for the bright future that lies ahead for Main Line Health.”

Main Line Health received the 2023 American Hospital Association Quest for Quality Prize.

In a 2023 interview with Chief Healthcare Executive®, Lynch said improving patient safety requires a commitment to health equity.

“The foundation of our work is all about eliminating these disparities of care,” Lynch said in an interview. “And you can't eliminate anything until you figure out where it is. And you can't eliminate it once you find it until you talk to the people that are experiencing it. And you can't eliminate it once you find it and talk to the people that you expect that are experiencing it, unless you're committed to making the change that's required to provide equitable care.”

From left, Carrie Penovich, Chris Squire, and Jason Troxell

Aspirus Health announces three regional presidents

Three leaders have moved into new roles as regional presidents of Aspirus Health.

Carrie Penovich has been named president of Aspirus Health’s Wisconsin Southeast Division. In this post, Penovice oversees Aspirus Plover Hospital and Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital.

Penovich previously served as chief administrative officer for Aspirus Health’s Wisconsin Southeast Division, beginning in 2022. Prior to joining Aspirus, she served as chief operations officer with Catalpa Health in Appleton and with Aurora Health Care for 14 years in human resources and clinical services leadership. Penovich succeeds the retiring Robert Smith.

Chris Squire has been named president of Aspirus Health’s Wisconsin South & Southwest divisions. Squire will oversee Aspirus Divine Savior Hospital in Portage and Aspirus Riverview Hospital in Wisconsin Rapids.

Squire previously served with Munson Healthcare as president and CEO of Otsego Memorial Hospital since 2021. He succeeds Brian Kief, who is retiring in December.

Jason Troxell has been named president of Aspirus Health’s Wisconsin Northwest Division. In that role, Troxell oversees Aspirus Medford Hospital and Aspirus Stanley Hospital. He succeeds Dale Hustedt, who is retiring in the fall.

Troxell moved into his new role after serving as chief administrative officer in the Aspirus Wisconsin North Division.

Before joining Aspirus, he served as CEO for ELWA Medical Center in Monrovia, Liberia, West Africa.

The three regional presidents began in their new roles on Sept. 3.

Aspirus Health, a nonprofit health system based in Wausau, Wisconsin, operates 18 hospitals and 130 outpatient locations in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan.

Nirav Vakharia

Marathon Health appoints chief health officer

Nirav Vakharia, MD, has been named chief health officer of Marathon Health, which provides primary care for employers and union-sponsored clients.

The company says Vakharia, a practicing primary care physician, will help develop strategy for Marathon Health’s population health model of care.

Marathon Health supports more than 2.5 million patients across more than 700 clients with primary care, including preventive screenings and wellness services.

Vakharia said he is looking to help provide more care “in a sustainable way for providers and care teams.”

“Marathon Health has built a care model that’s asked and answered the necessary questions to make primary care work for patients, employers and providers. I decided to come on board to be part of rethinking and rebuilding primary care,” Vakharia said in a statement.

Jeff Wells, MD, CEO and co-founder of Marathon Health, said he’s excited to have Vakharia in the organization.

“His clinical expertise and passion for enhancing patient experiences aligns perfectly with our mission to transform healthcare. Under his leadership, Marathon Health will continue to innovate and improve primary care in the United States,” Wells said in a statement.