St. Charles Health System announces new president, and more | MED MOVES

After serving as interim leader since July, Steve Gordon has been named the president and CEO of St. Charles Health System in Oregon.

Steve Gordon

“The board has been very appreciative of Steve’s leadership and desired to have him become the permanent CEO,” Jamie Orlikoff, chairman of the St. Charles board of directors said in a statement. “We are thrilled that he has accepted the position. We look forward to a productive partnership with him for the benefit of the community and our patients.”

A primary care and internal medicine physician by training, he has served in executive leadership roles for PeaceHealth in Vancouver, Wash., Providence Health and Services in Portland and Salem Health. Gordon is also a former member of the St. Charles board.

“I am energized to build on what we’ve learned so far from service line development in many areas of the organization,” Gordon said in a statement.

“Plenty of work still lies ahead, but we’re seeing results from focusing first on clinical excellence and a better experience for our patients, caregivers, physicians and providers.”

Gordon is credited with helping the system improve its financial performance, and the organization hopes to return to a positive operating margin by the end of 2023.

He said he has enjoyed getting to know team members in a deeper way.

“We simply have the best people who are committed to providing patients with exceptional care. I want to continue supporting them in that noble endeavor,” Gordon said.

Michael Weiner

MSU Health Care hires chief medical officer

Michael S. Weiner, who formerly served as the military’s top medical officer, has been named the chief medical officer of MSU Health Care.

Previously, Weiner served as both chief medical officer and chief medical officer within the Department of Defense. In that role, he helped lead the effort to transform the electronic medical record system. He also created the first NATO Joint Trauma Registry.

After the mass shooting that rocked Michigan State University Seth Ciabotti, MSU Health Care chief executive officer, said Weiner “has already proven his leadership skills by helping us navigate the shooting and its aftermath."

"Dr. Weiner brings extensive experience as an executive medical leader with a demonstrated history of transforming healthcare organizations. I am excited to welcome him to MSU Health Care and confident his leadership and experience," Ciabotti said in a statement.

Weiner joins MSU Health Care after serving as the chief medical officer for Maximus, a public company that contracts with government agencies. He was previously chief medical information officer at IBM.

Emily Fondahn

MU Health Care hires new chief quality officer

Emily Fondahn has been named MU Health Care’s new chief quality officer.

Fondahn will take her new role with the organization on April 25. She comes to MU Health Care from Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, where she serves as associate chief medical officer and associate professor of medicine at the Washington University School of Medicine.

“Dr. Fondahn will be instrumental in our commitment to providing safe, quality health care as we save and improve lives across Missouri,” Nim Chinniah, MU Health Care interim CEO and vice chancellor for health affairs, said in a statement.

“She has helped improve patient safety and quality as associate chief medical officer at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, overseeing patient safety, risk management, regulatory and compliance, and medical staff services. She has a focus on reducing hospital readmissions and preventable harm, improving clinical documentation, and the education of medical students and staff.”

As chief quality officer, Fondahn will focus on care delivery and patient safety and satisfaction. In addition to her role as chief quality officer, Fondahn will serve as a clinical faculty member in the department of medicine.

James Stuccio

WellSpan Health names senior VP

James Stuccio has been named WellSpan Health’s senior vice president for the East Region.

Stuccio comes to the Pennsylvania-based system from Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health, where he held various leadership roles. In this role, Stuccio will provide executive leadership to WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital, WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital, and WellSpan Philhaven, in partnership with the behavioral health service line.

He will also serve as regional leader of various other WellSpan facilities in Lancaster and Lebanon counties, which make up the East Region.

“James already has a deep understanding of our eastern region, and his established, local relationships will serve him well as he partners with physicians, advanced practice providers and teams to drive results,” Roxanna Gapstur, president and CEO of WellSpan Health. “His efforts in collaboration with independent practices, employers and community organizations will be key assets as we continue to reimagine healthcare for our eastern region and beyond.”

Stuccio began his new role on Feb. 27.

“WellSpan has a strong market presence and an exceptional group of healthcare professionals that I know will continue to provide high quality, value-based care for our patients,” Stuccio said in a statement. “Leading these teams at such a critical time in the healthcare industry is an exciting venture and I look forward to developing solutions to complex healthcare issues that keep the care of our patients always at the forefront.”

Stuccio also held healthcare leadership roles with Crozer-Keystone Health Network, OhioHealth, Nemours Children’s Hospital/Jefferson Medical College, and Temple University Hospital.

Lynda Young, left, and Elvira Guardiola

UMass Memorial Health selects first female board chair

For the first time, UMass Memorial Health has appointed a female chairwoman of the board, and in another first, a Latina vice chair.

The largest not-for-profit health care system in central Massachusetts has appointed Dr. Lynda Young as Board Chair and Elvira Guardiola as Vice Chair of the UMMH Board of Trustees.

“Dr. Lynda Young and Elvira Guardiola are invaluable additions to our Board’s leadership and will bring their well-respected patient-centric and community-oriented expertise to the table,” UMMH President and CEO Dr. Eric Dickson said in a statement.

Young is a board-certified pediatrician and professor of pediatrics at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School. Previously, Dr. Young worked as chief of the division of community pediatrics at UMass Memorial Medical Center's Children's Medical Center and chaired the UMass Memorial Medical Group Board for eight years. Young also served as president of the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and president of the Massachusetts Medical Society.

“It is an honor to be named Chair of the Board of Trustees for UMass Memorial Health at this critical time for health care, when every action and decision can have a major impact on patients and our communities,” Young said in a statement. “Over the past eight years, I’ve watched the system grow, change, and adapt amid unprecedented industry challenges, and I am excited to support its future in this new capacity as Board Chair.”

Guardiola is an attorney currently working for the City of Worcester as the Parking Administrator and Municipal Hearing Officer.

“UMass Memorial Health is a beacon of medical innovation and culturally competent, compassionate care, serving as a critical resource to the patients it serves throughout Central Massachusetts and the Commonwealth,” Guardiola said in a statement.