Effective June 1, Ms. Bull will succeed Nancy Anness, who is retiring after three decades with the organization, according to a health system news release. Ms. Anness’ last day will be at the end of April.
“Melanie Bull brings deep policy expertise and a strong commitment to our mission, making her an excellent addition to our advocacy team,” Ascension Saint Thomas President and CEO Fahad Tahir said in the release. “Her proactive approach and established relationships in public policy will help us drive forward initiatives that improve healthcare access and outcomes. We are grateful for Nancy Anness’ decades of leadership, which have strengthened our advocacy efforts and shaped meaningful change for those we serve.”
Ms. Bull’s most recent position is principal at Capitol & 5th Public Strategies, an independent government relations firm, according to her LinkedIn page.
She has also served as a strategic adviser and policy expert to Ascension Saint Thomas since 2023.
Ms. Anness joined Ascension Saint Thomas 30 years ago as a family nurse practitioner, according to the release. She was promoted to vice president of advocacy and healthcare access in 2008.
Ascension Saint Thomas is a 16-hospital health system with more than 250 care sites across Tennessee. It is part of St. Louis-based Ascension.
