Executive Moves

The role of the chief administrative officer has increasingly made its way into hospital and health system C-suites, and it can look different depending on how the position aligns with the organization's structure. 

Richard James was appointed Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Nova Southeastern University's chief strategy and operations officer for NSU Health.

Austin, Texas-based Central Health has named Patrick Lee, MD, its next president and CEO. 

Cynthia Hundorfean — the chief living health development officer at Highmark Health and former president of its subsidiary health system Allegheny Health Network — will exit the Pittsburgh-based organization at the end of 2023. 

Duluth, Minn.-based Essentia Health has appointed Gratia Pitcher, MD, as chief medical officer after serving in an interim capacity since October. 

Dave Estorge is the permanent COO of St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson, Miss., part of Baton Rouge, La.-based Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System.

Valdosta, Ga.-based SGMC Health has promoted Cherise Giddens, BSN, RN, from her current role as vice president of clinical nursing to vice president and chief nursing officer. 

Valdosta, Ga.-based SGMC Health, a four-hospital system, has appointed Jessica Busque as director of medical staff services and Julie Blodgett as director of physician recruitment. 

Matt Untch has been named interim CFO of Excelsior Springs, Mo.-based Excelsior Springs Hospital, the Excelsior Springs Standard reported Dec. 12.

WVU Medicine, based in Morgantown, W.V., has promoted seven executives across its enterprise.