Ochsner LSU Health selects CEO, and more | MED MOVES

Corwin Harper has been named the chief executive officer of the Ochsner LSU Health System.

Corwin Harper (Ochsner LSU Health)

Ochsner LSU Health is a partnership between Ochsner Health and LSU Health Shreveport. The partnership, which has entered its fifth year, is designed to expand healthcare services and research opportunities. Ochsner LSU Health provides healthcare to more than 140,000 patients across northern Louisiana.

Harper joined Ochsner in 2021, initially serving as CEO for the Northshore and Mississippi Gulf Coast region. He later became chief growth officer.

“I’m honored and excited to serve as the CEO for Ochsner LSU Health. These two strong organizations, Ochsner Health and LSU Health Shreveport, bring together the highest levels of expertise for the benefit of our state and beyond,” Harper said in a statement. “The success experienced thus far speaks to the level of trust, collaboration and commitment to excellence that makes me proud to serve with the Ochsner LSU Health team.”

Previously, Harper spent 25 years with Kaiser Permanente in a host of leadership roles. He also served for more than eight years as a U.S. Army Officer in the Medical Service Corps.

Pete November, CEO of Ochsner Health, said in a statement that Ochsner LSU Health has been expanding healthcare services, along with academic and economic opportunities.

“Corwin consistently demonstrates great enthusiasm and leadership, and we are excited for him to step into this role and continue to drive success for this partnership that transforms healthcare in our North Louisiana communities.”

Deborah Browning (USA Health)

USA Health names CEO of children & women’s hospital

Deborah Browning has been named the chief executive officer of USA Health Children & Women’s Hospital.

She previously served as chief nursing officer beginning in 2021 and then interim administrator.

In that interim role, Browning has overseen the expansion of the hospital’s emergency center, which is the only pediatric emergency center on the Alabama Gulf Coast. The expansion is slated to open this winter.

“I believe this is a time of unprecedented growth for our hospital, and I look forward to leading the teams responsible for best meeting the healthcare needs of our community,” Browning said in a statement.

She said her vision for the hospital is to “create a space where our families have the best experience possible, and our staff feel valued and fulfilled in their roles.”

Owen Bailey, USA Health CEO, said Browning has accomplished a great deal in the relatively short time she has held leadership posts in the organization.

“It was clear she is who we need leading our efforts to continuously provide high-quality and compassionate healthcare to the children and women on the Gulf Coast,” Bailey said in a statement.

Browning previously served as chief nursing officer at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital in Oklahoma City. She also worked at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital in Charleston, South Carolina.

Maurizio Virone (HCA Midwest)

HCA Midwest Health appoints new vice president

Maurizio Virone has been named the new vice president of performance improvement for HCA Midwest Health, based in Kansas City.

Virone will oversee the management of the emergency departments, surgical areas and inpatient units of HCA Midwest Health’s hospitals.

“I am honored to join Kansas City’s premier healthcare provider and work with facility leaders to continue focusing on providing patients and their families high quality, patient-centered care,” Virone said in a statement. “I value the rich tradition of patient safety, performance improvement, and better patient outcomes and look forward to continuing that legacy which is at the core of our mission to care for human life, above all else.”

Virone has held other leadership posts across the HCA Healthcare system. Most recently, Virone served at HCA’s Continental Division in Denver, where he was senior director of labor management, responsible for managing a $1.4 billion labor budget.

He also served as director of performance improvement for the hospital emergency departments in HCA’s East Florida Division in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

“I am pleased to welcome Maurizio to HCA Midwest Health,” Keith Zimmerman, president and CEO of HCA Midwest, said in a statement. “His extensive experience in managing and improving operations to reduce risk and improve patient outcomes will enhance our strong reputation as the region’s top-performing health system.”

Lynn Fulton (Maui Health)

Maui Health names new CEO

Lynn Fulton has been named the new chief executive officer of Maui Health.

Fulton will begin her new role on Jan. 1, 2024. She succeeds Kerry Watson, who has served as Maui Health’s interim CEO since February.

“I am humbled and honored to be given the opportunity to serve these special islands of Maui and Lanai,” Fulton said in a statement. “I am committed to listening, learning, and working tirelessly to create a thriving healthcare system for the people of Maui County.”

Currently, Fulton is president of OSF HealthCare, St. Joseph Medical Center. She also served as president of OSF HealthCare Saint Luke Medical Center.

Maui Health said in a new release that Fulton would be focused on developing a strategic plan for the system’s future. The organization said she’d work with staff, physicians and the broader Maui community in developing that vision.

Clay Sutherland, a board member of Maui Health, said Fulton is well-qualified for the post. He cited her “people-first, community-centered philosophy.”

“Lynn brings a wealth of experience in community hospital operations and has successfully worked through many of the same challenges we currently face at Maui Health, leveraging similar opportunities to improve and expand services,” Sutherland said in a statement.

Maui Health also praised Watson for his leadership of the system over the past several months, including the response to the devastating Maui wildfires.