Tampa General Hospital names COO, and more | MED MOVES

Melissa Golombek has been appointed executive vice president and chief operating officer of Tampa General Hospital.

Melissa Golombek

A leader with nearly 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry, Golombek joined Tampa General in 2020. Most recently, she served as the vice president of the Muma Children's Hospital at TGH and the TGH Women's Institute.

She’s led both to impressive growth, the organization said.

"It is an honor to continue to grow in my career at Tampa General as part of our dedicated, visionary executive leadership team," Golombek said in a statement. "I look forward to collaborating closely with our team to continue delivering on our mission of healing, teaching and innovating during this exciting chapter of growth for our organization."

Before joining Tampa General, Golombek held senior leadership roles at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, Northwestern University Health System and TMC Health.

John Couris, president and CEO of Tampa General, said Golombek will play an important role as Tampa General continues to grow.

"Since joining Tampa General, Melissa has distinguished herself as an exceptional leader, an innovative, strategic and proactive collaborator, and a warm and caring colleague," Couris said in a statement. "As we continue to expand our geographic footprint, strengthen our academic partnerships and deepen the innovative clinical expertise we offer to our patients, Melissa is uniquely positioned to successfully lead and support our team in providing exceptional care to our patients and families."

Katrina Ascencio-Holmes

Sutter Health names chief nurse

Katrina Ascencio-Holmes has been appointed the chief nurse officer of Sutter Health in California.

She has spent 15 years with Sutter Health, holding a variety of roles. In 2023, she served as interim CEO of Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital in Auburn, Calif. She has been serving as interim chief nurse of the system in an interim capacity since July 2024.

In her new position, Ascencio-Holmes joins Sutter Health’s leadership team. She’ll work with William Isenberg, Sutter’s chief medical & quality officer.

Ascencio-Holmes says nursing has been “central to my life.” Her mother and five aunts were all nurses and she said she wanted to become a nurse at an early age.

“It has been a privilege to grow and develop in this profession,” Ascencio-Holmes said in a statement. “I’m ecstatic at this opportunity to continue championing our quality and culture work, supporting the best possible care experience for our patients and career growth for our nurses.”

Mark Sevco, chief operating officer of Sutter Health, said Ascencio-Holmes has been a key leader in the system’s effort to offer top-notch patient care.

“Kat is an accomplished nurse leader with 30-plus years’ experience and a wealth of knowledge in hospital and outpatient care settings,” Sevco said in a statement. “Her background, along with her commitment to excellence and compassionate nature, is what made her stand out during our national search.”

Dewane A. Pace

Oregon hospital hires new CEO

Dewane A. Pace has been named the new chief executive officer of the Willamette Valley Medical Center in Oregon.

Pace will begin his new role Feb. 17, and he brings more than four decades of healthcare experience.

He has served as CEO of Haxtun Hospital District in Haxtun, Colorado, since 2018. Pace has also served as chief operating officer at Valley View Hospital in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, and administrator at Orlando Health’s Health Central Hospital in Ocoee, Florida.

A 60-bed hospital, Willamette Valley is part of Lifepoint Health, the system based in Tennessee.

“I am honored to join Willamette Valley Medical Center and Lifepoint Health,” Pace said in a statement. “WVMC is a great hospital in a wonderful community, and I look forward to working alongside our passionate team of providers and staff to advance our mission of making communities healthier for Yamhill County and the surrounding region.”

Emily Ryan

Glendale Memorial Hospital appoints chief of staff

Emily Ryan, MD, has been named the new chief of medical staff of Glendale Memorial Hospital in Glendale, California.

She began her new role on Jan. 1. The hospital is part of Dignity Health, a division of CommonSpirit Health.

Ryan joined Glendale Memorial’s medical staff in 2012. She possesses more than 15 years of experience in medicine.

In her new role, Ryan will aim to both lead the medical staff and work to raise higher standards of patient care.

Betsy Hart, president and CEO at Glendale Memorial Hospital, hailed Ryan’s credentials.

"She is not only an exceptional clinician but also an innovative leader who will work closely with the medical staff and hospital leadership to ensure that Glendale Memorial continues to provide the highest level of care,” Hart said in a statement. “We look forward to her leadership in advancing our mission of delivering compassionate, comprehensive health care.”