Leadership in healthcare has always demanded vision and an unrelenting commitment to the communities being served. We’re recognizing the women on this list for possessing these qualities and more.
Becker’s is proud to spotlight these remarkable hospital and health system presidents and CEOs, women who are expanding access to care, advancing equity and inclusion, and driving meaningful improvements in care. Their influence extends far beyond their own institutions, reaching policy conversations, community partnerships, patient bedsides and more.
Note: This list was compiled based on nominations and editorial research. This list is not exhaustive, nor is it an endorsement of included presidents, CEOs, hospitals, health systems or associated healthcare providers. Leaders cannot pay for inclusion on this list. We extend a special thank you to Rhoda Weiss for her contributions to this list. Leaders are presented in alphabetical order.
Contact Anna Falvey at afalvey@beckershealthcare.com with questions or comments.
Rhonda Abbott. Senior Vice President and CEO of TIRR Memorial Hermann, Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation Hospital–Katy and Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation Network (Houston). Ms. Abbott oversees clinical, operational and strategic functions across one of the nation’s leading rehabilitation systems, which includes inpatient rehabilitation facilities, outpatient sites, a community wellness program, an education academy and a research arm. Ms. Abbott has driven clinical care redesign, expanded therapy education programs, and led multiple locations in earning accreditation as rehabilitation facilities. With more than two decades at Memorial Hermann, she advanced through leadership roles from physical therapist to CEO, applying her clinical expertise to improve access, equity and quality for patients with disabling conditions. Under her leadership, TIRR Memorial Hermann was designated a national rehabilitation innovation center in 2023 and consistently ranks among America’s best rehabilitation hospitals by U.S. News & World Report. She also serves as chair of the American Medical Rehabilitation Providers Association board and sponsors initiatives supporting disability inclusion and women leaders.
Sharon Adams, BSN, RN. President of Nuvance Health Eastern Region and President of Danbury (Conn.) Hospital and New Milford (Conn.) Hospitals. Ms. Adams is directly responsible for the successful operations of two Nuvance Health hospitals across Connecticut. Ms. Adams oversees Danbury and New Milford Hospitals. She began her current role in May 2026, leading operations, integration and strategic direction. She is overseeing the comprehensive, growth-based transformative planning process for the rural hospitals. Prior to her updated role, she was serving as president of Nuvance Health Eastern Region and president of Danbury Hospital, New Milford Hospital, Sharon (Conn.) Hospital and homecare services.
Jandel Allen-Davis, MD. President and CEO of Craig Hospital (Englewood, Colo.). Dr. Allen-Davis is president and CEO of Craig Hospital, a premier center for specialty neurorehabilitation and research for people with spinal cord injury and/or brain injury. A private, nonprofit inpatient and outpatient hospital, Craig Hospital offers acute and short- and long-term care. Dr. Allen-Davis oversees the delivery of patient care and safety, financial stability, strategic planning, research team and outcomes, capital improvements and community relations. She is committed to increasing the number of women in healthcare as well as mentoring young leaders.
Sue Andersen. President and CEO of Dignity Health Marian Regional Medical Center (Santa Maria, Calif.). Ms. Andersen serves as president and CEO of Marian Regional Medical Center, encompassing Arroyo Grande (Calif.) Community Hospital and French Hospital Medical Center in San Luis Obispo, Calif., overseeing an organization with more than $1 billion in annual net revenue. Her leadership spans three hospital locations, residency programs, a skilled nursing facility, cancer centers, surgery centers, a crisis stabilization center, an acute rehabilitation facility, a homecare entity, three hospital foundations and outpatient laboratories, imaging and infusion centers. Under her leadership, all three hospitals have received “A” ratings from Leapfrog, and French Hospital secured its 28th consecutive Leapfrog “A” grade and a 5-star rating from CMS. She oversaw the establishment of a level 2 trauma center at Marian Regional Medical Center, dramatically expanding access to critical care for Northern Santa Barbara County residents, along with the opening of a crisis stabilization center supporting individuals experiencing mental health crises. A new cancer center will be completed in San Luis Obispo this year to serve the entire community. Ms. Andersen is current board chair of CenCal Health, the region’s two-county Medicaid program, and was previously a market CFO overseeing finance work for five hospitals before 2018.
Alison Avendt. President of Mercy Health–Perrysburg (Ohio) Hospital. Ms. Avendt oversees daily operations and strategic initiatives at Mercy Health–Perrysburg Hospital, ensuring delivery of high-quality, patient-centered care across a broad range of services including surgery, critical care, a 24/7 emergency department, and a level 2 cardiac catheterization lab. Since joining Mercy Health, Ms. Avendt has led significant growth and transformation, including the integration of more than 400 associates following the closure of McLaren St. Luke’s Hospital in 2023, strengthening the hospital’s workforce and operational capacity. She has also introduced innovative engagement programs such as pet therapy and community events to boost staff morale. Her leadership has contributed to high staff retention rates and multiple Press Ganey “Guardian of Excellence” awards for patient satisfaction. Ms. Avendt’s career spans more than 38 years, beginning as a licensed occupational therapist specializing in neonatal intensive care.
Gail Aviado. CEO of Chino Valley (Calif.) Medical Center. Ms. Aviado has led the organization to measurable improvements in safety, quality and financial health. In 2024, the hospital achieved an “A” hospital safety grade from TheLeapfrog Group and secured multiple 5-star ratings from Healthgrades in areas such as hip fracture treatment, gallbladder surgery and diabetic emergency care. She spearheaded efforts to improve Inland Empire Health Plan quality metrics, generating over $300,000 in added reimbursement. By enhancing revenue cycle processes and driving business development, Ms. Aviado increased earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization by 20.4% over the previous fiscal year. She also launched the “Beta Heart Program” to enhance cardiovascular outcomes and attract new funding. Her leadership has earned regional and national recognition, including a “Women Who Lead” honor from the Inland Empire.
Daffodil Baez. President of Adventist HealthCare Fort Washington (Md.) Medical Center. Ms. Baez is president of Adventist HealthCare Fort Washington Medical Center, where she brings deep experience in health system operations, community-based care and culturally responsive leadership. Her career began in healthcare finance and evolved into executive leadership roles across Texas, Arizona and Washington, D.C., including leading the faculty medical group at Howard University and launching a major regional multispecialty campus for a top Texas academic medical center. Ms. Baez is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and a founding member of the National Association of Latino Healthcare Executives’ Dallas-Fort Worth chapter. In addition to her hospital leadership, she is an entrepreneur and founder of Fortress Therapeutics, a company focused on herbal remedies, and a consultant specializing in cultural sensitivity and outpatient optimization. She serves on several boards, is active in the National Association of Health Services Executives, organizes free health fairs, contributes to wellness curricula, and is a force in improving access for underserved populations.
Sandy Badinger. CEO at Slidell (La.) Memorial Hospital. Ms. Badinger serves as CEO of Slidell Memorial Hospital, where she oversees the strategic, operational and financial leadership of the organization, including its Main and East campuses, affiliated clinics and outpatient facilities. In partnership with New Orleans-based Ochsner Health, she coordinates operations across a regional healthcare network while executing the policies of the Slidell Memorial Hospital board of commissioners and remaining accountable for quality of care, patient safety, financial performance and long-term growth. She brings a finance background to the role, approaching service expansions with discipline to keep them sustainable while advancing healthcare delivery through innovation, technology, workforce development and physician alignment. A visible community presence, Ms. Badinger personally visits more than 75 local businesses, civic groups and churches each year to hear the needs and concerns of those the hospital serves. She previously served as CFO of Slidell Memorial Hospital from 2012 to 2020, and earlier as CFO of various other hospitals, along with controller and CFO roles at King of Prussia, Pa.-based Universal Health Services across multiple hospitals. Her additional leadership roles include member of the St. Tammany Chamber board, commissioner on the St. Tammany Corporation economic development board, executive committee member of the Ochsner Health Network and trustee of the Slidell Memorial Hospital Foundation board. Under her leadership, the hospital has earned recognitions including accreditation by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, primary stroke center designation, breast imaging center of excellence designation and status as a Louisiana birth ready designated birthing center.
Denyse Bales-Chubb. President and CEO of AdventHealth Palm Coast and Market CEO for Flagler and St. Johns Counties (Fla.). Ms. Bales-Chubb oversees strategy and daily operations of AdventHealth’s care network across two of Florida’s fast-growing counties. She leads two hospitals, three outpatient centers, and expansion efforts to meet the region’s rising demand for healthcare services. Since taking on her current role in 2022, she has led several major projects to improve access to care, including investing more than $200 million in the local care infrastructure. In 2023, she oversaw the opening of AdventHealth Palm Coast Parkway, a 100-bed hospital built to relieve capacity pressures in the area. Earlier this year, the Freytag Cancer Center in Palm Coast opened, bringing enhanced radiation therapy and oncology services to the community. Earlier this year, she led groundbreaking for AdventHealth’s first facility in St. Johns County, a 12-bed offsite emergency department. Ms. Bales-Chubb’s career spans more than 30 years, including previous CEO roles at AdventHealth Tampa (Fla.) and AdventHealth Wesley Chapel (Fla.). In an earlier leadership position in California, she helped integrate new hospitals into a larger system. In addition to her operational work, she serves on the board of Florida Hospital Association’s rural hospital council, helping ensure the voice of her community is heard at the state level.
Phyllis Baltz. President of Dignity Health Methodist Hospital of Sacramento (Calif.). Ms. Baltz is responsible for the operational leadership of Methodist Hospital of Sacramento, a 158-bed acute care hospital, along with its family medicine residency, primary care clinic, ambulatory surgery center and 171-bed skilled facility, overseeing an annual operating budget of $385 million and 1,200 full-time employees. She develops and implements the facility’s strategic plan in coordination with Sacramento market priorities and Chicago-based CommonSpirit system goals, and serves as executive sponsor for the women’s and children’s service line within the Sacramento market. Her career in healthcare administration spans more than 35 years across community and academic hospital settings. During her time spent in a leadership role in Fresno, Calif., Ms. Baltz led initiatives to expand a facility from 375 beds to 626 beds, and she has spearheaded strategic growth and financial turnaround plans throughout her career. She is board chair for both the Sacramento Valley American Heart Association and the EGUSD FIRST Foundation, and in 2022 she was recognized as a Sacramento Business Journal “Women Who Mean Business” honoree.
Rina Bansal, MD. President of Inova Alexandria (Va.) Hospital and Senior Vice President, Inova Health System (Falls Church, Va.). Dr. Bansal, who took on her current role in 2016, oversees hospital revenue of more than $450 million and a staff of 1,600. In the past few years of Dr. Bansal’s tenure, the hospital increased market share and capacity through significant improvements in throughput, flow, and capacity management. She is spearheading a $1 billion project to replace the 150-year-old facility with a future medical campus that’s slated to bring approximately 231 new beds and a level 2 trauma center by 2028. Her leadership has brought the hospital’s CMS rating to 5 stars from 3 stars. She first joined the health system in 2008 as a hospitalist and has steadily risen through the ranks in various leadership positions. One of her recognitions include being named as a Washington Business Journal “Diversity in Business Award” honoree in 2023.
Sharn Barbarin. CEO of Medical City Arlington (Texas). Ms. Barbarin has more than 20 years of healthcare leadership experience. She became CEO of Medical City Arlington in 2022. She is leading the hospital’s $144 million expansion that will expand hospital capacity to support community growth. Ms. Barbarin has previous experience as CEO of Medical City Lewisville in Texas. Under her guidance, the hospital enhanced its services and expanded access points. She has also worked to make the hospital more diverse, equitable and inclusive, which has been accomplished via patient care, board representation, hiring practices and promotions. Under her leadership, Healthgrades honored the hospital with its “America’s 250 Best Hospitals Award” in 2022-2026.
Kristi Barnd. CEO at Henry County Hospital (Napoleon, Ohio). Ms. Barnd provides long-term strategic direction and oversight of daily operations at Henry County Hospital, working to align its vision with the community’s changing healthcare needs while maintaining quality, regulatory compliance and financial stability. Her leadership is centered on performance, process and people, and she has held several roles across the organization, including COO, risk manager, compliance officer, safety officer and manager of quality improvement. She championed the hospital’s adoption of a cloud-based solution that improved care coordination and operational efficiency, reduced server inventory and freed limited IT staff to focus on direct support for clinicians. She has also implemented professional development and continuing education programs that have supported high employee satisfaction and retention. She is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and previously co-chaired the Ohio Hospital Association’s Northwest Ohio Quality Collaborative. Under her leadership, the hospital has earned multiple “Professional Research Consultants” awards, the Partnership for Excellence “Silver Award” and the Ohio Department of Health’s “Gold Ohio Healthy Worksite Award.”
Kay Barnett. CEO of AdventHealth Minneola (Fla.). Ms. Barnett is committed to enhancing the wellbeing of the communities served by AdventHealth. As CEO of AdventHealth Minneola, she leads a high-performing healthcare team serving South Lake County. Ms. Barnett is focused on bringing AdventHealth’s whole-person care model to the new hospital by prioritizing clinical excellence, expanding access and delivering compassionate, high-quality care. Under her leadership, the organization is driving strategic growth in the county via community investments. A seasoned health care executive with 13 years of experience in business development, strategic planning and operations, she has played a pivotal role in advancing the AdventHealth Central Florida Division and positioning it for continued growth.
Dara Bartels. CEO at Mile Bluff Medical Center (Mauston, Wis.). Ms. Bartels is the strategic and operational leader of Mile Bluff Medical Center, an independent rural health system serving more than 55,000 residents across eight counties in south-central Wisconsin while competing with large academic medical centers in Madison. She piloted and rolled out an AI-powered solution embedded directly in the EHR that saved clinicians more than seven minutes per patient encounter and reclaimed hundreds of administrative hours each month, with the technology reaching departments including health information management, obstetrics, outreach clinics, pharmacies, infusion centers, wound care and the emergency department. She oversees the medical center’s continuum of life mission, ensuring comprehensive care from birth to end-of-life across acute care, rehabilitation and specialized service lines. Ms. Bartels has driven capital improvements including facility expansions and enhanced service lines, transitioned the organization to a subscription-based software model to support financial sustainability, and updated ambulatory solutions to create a unified patient record across all care settings. She brings more than 20 years of healthcare finance and executive experience, including prior leadership roles at Mile Bluff as CFO and earlier positions at La Crosse, Wis.-based Gundersen Health System and UnityPoint Health in West Des Moines, Iowa. The medical center earned a 2024 “Performance Leadership Award” from the Chartis Center for Rural Health.
Elaine Batchlor, MD. CEO of MLK Community Healthcare (Los Angeles). Dr. Batchlor serves as CEO of MLK Community Healthcare, a health system comprising a private safety-net hospital, the MLK Community Medical Group, community and population health services, and a fundraising establishment. She is passionate about increasing access to care for underserved populations, and has been nationally recognized for her pursuits. Thanks to her efforts, she is a member of the National Academy of Medicine. Dr. Batchlor has previously served as chief medical officer of Los Angeles Care Health Plan, the largest public health plan in the nation for a safety-net population.
Tori Bayless. CEO at Luminis Health (Annapolis, Md.). Ms. Bayless is CEO of Luminis Health, Maryland’s fourth-largest health system, where she focuses on expanding access to care and improving outcomes, and brings more than 25 years of experience in healthcare strategy, operations and clinical excellence. Under her leadership, Luminis Health has evolved into a coordinated regional network that includes Anne Arundel Medical Center, Doctors Community Medical Center, a behavioral health pavilion, J. Kent McNew Family Medical Center, Pathways and Luminis Health Clinical Enterprise, supporting nearly 7,000 employees, more than 850 licensed beds and more than 100 care sites. She is the architect of “Vision 2030,” the system’s long-term strategic plan centered on quality improvement, workforce development, financial strength, growth and patient experience. Ms. Bayless championed the recent groundbreaking of a new women’s health pavilion on the campus of Doctors Community Medical Center, scheduled to open in late 2028 with capacity to deliver up to 2,000 babies annually. Her leadership has guided the nonprofit through financial recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic into a sustained position of financial strength. Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center recently earned its 15th consecutive “A” from Leapfrog and a third Magnet designation for nursing excellence from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Ms. Bayless joined Anne Arundel Medical Center in December 2005 as vice president of clinical and support services and was promoted to CEO in 2011.
Madeline Bell. CEO at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. In the 11 years Ms. Bell has served as Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s CEO, the system has grown from $2.3 billion in annual revenue and a workforce of 15,800 to $5.2 billion in revenue and a workforce of 31,000. Ms. Bell has made numerous contributions to the system, including the development of one of the largest pediatric ambulatory care networks in the country, the expansion of the Philadelphia campus, the creation of the Middleman Family Pavilion, an inpatient hospital on CHOP’s King of Prussia (Pa.) campus, the launch of the Center for Advanced Behavioral Healthcare and the Behavioral Health & Crisis Center in West Philadelphia, and the development of Roberts Children’s Health, a new inpatient complex that will open in 2028. During Ms. Bell’s tenure, the system has consistently been recognized as one of the nation’s top children’s hospitals by U.S. News & World Report, has been featured on Newsweek’s lists of both the nation’s best children’s hospitals and the world’s best hospitals, and has appeared on Forbes’ list of America’s best large employers. In 2026, the system was named one of the world’s most innovative companies by Fast Company, leading the healthcare category. Ms. Bell works with policymakers, community leaders and other stakeholders to find solutions for the toughest challenges in pediatric healthcare and has championed the development of cell and gene therapies. She serves on the boards of the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics and Solutions for Patient Safety, and is the former chair of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia’s board of directors. Ms. Bell recently announced that she will be retiring from CHOP on Oct. 1, 2026.
Kara Besst. CEO of Gritman Medical Center (Moscow, Idaho). Ms. Besst has helped position Gritman Medical Center as a technologically-advanced, compassionate, community-focused critical access hospital. Today, the critical access hospital’s providers see more than 150,000 patients annually, including over 10,000 emergency department visits. The medical center stands as Latah County’s largest private employer. With nearly three decades of dedicated service to the hospital, Ms. Besst exemplifies the power of continuity and internal growth in executive leadership. Her tenure is marked by exceptional quality scores, and she has played a large part in the rural hospital’s elevation into a benchmark for clinical safety and service. Ms. Besst also serves on the Gritman Foundation’s board of directors.
Deirdre A. Blaus. Chief Administrative Officer at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset (Somerville, N.J.). Ms. Blaus has served as chief administrative officer of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset, part of West Orange, N.J.-based RWJBarnabas Health, since April 2025. She is tasked with overseeing daily operations of the 343-bed hospital, one of the largest employers in the county, with 2,100 employees and a medical staff of 900 physicians. The hospital records 15,000 admissions, 134,000 outpatient visits and 52,000 emergency department visits a year, with centers of excellence spanning oncology, cardiology, behavioral health, orthopedics, neuroscience, maternity and more. Over 10 years in leadership roles there, she has expanded services, recruited specialists and led the growth of the hospital’s cancer program to bring comprehensive care closer to home. She oversaw completion of a 76,000-square-foot, two-story vertical expansion, the largest campus construction project in nearly two decades, whose top floor opened in February 2025 with 45 all-private patient rooms. She also helped add a new 18-bed rapid decision unit in 2025, along with technologies including focused ultrasound for essential tremors, cardiac PET/CT, the Mako robot for joint replacement and Aquablation therapy. Under her leadership, the hospital has earned three consecutive Leapfrog “A” patient safety scores, ranked among Healthgrades’ “America’s 250 Best Hospitals” three years in a row and was rated high performing by U.S. News & World Report in orthopedics, heart failure, diabetes and maternity care. In 2025, the hospital held more than 500 community outreach events across all 21 municipalities in the county, reaching 53,000 people, and it operates a “Healing Homes” transitional housing program that provides two homes in Somerville for county residents facing illness-related financial hardship.
Karen Bowling. President and CEO of WVU Medicine Princeton (W.Va.) Community Hospital and Executive Vice President of Government Affairs for the WVU Health System (Morgantown, W.Va.). Ms. Bowling is known for her advocacy and achievements in rural medicine and public policy. As president and CEO of WVU Medicine Princeton Community Hospital, she has expanded access to critical services such as oncology and cardiac care, and has secured funding for a new regional cancer center. Her work as executive vice president of government affairs influences Medicaid reimbursement and state-level policy, bolstering hospital sustainability throughout West Virginia. A former state cabinet secretary and past chair of the 340B Health board, she has shaped national healthcare discourse for underserved populations. In 2024, she was named a West Virginia “Wonder Woman” by WV Living Magazine and is a 2025 West Virginia Healthcare Hall of Fame inductee. Ms. Bowling blends public service, operational mastery and compassionate leadership to advance equitable healthcare access across Appalachia.
Kristen Bowman. CEO of Broward Health Coral Springs (Fla.). Ms. Bowman oversees operations for Broward Health Coral Springs, which employs over 1,300 staff and is affiliated with more than 800 physicians. Since becoming CEO in 2023, she has led the hospital to exceed budget targets, achieve top hospital safety grades from The Leapfrog Group, and contribute to Broward Health’s S&P Global rating jump from “A-” to “A+”. The hospital saw growth in outpatient and robotic surgical services, along with an increase in urological specialties. Ms. Bowman directed the opening of a $16 million med-surg and step-down unit, expanding inpatient capacity from 250 to 278 beds. With more than 25 years of healthcare experience, her impact stems from her lean management approach and people-first leadership.
Kelly L. P. Braverman. President and CEO for Witham Health Services (Lebanon, Ind.). Ms. Braverman brings over two decades of executive experience to her role as president and CEO of Witham Health Services, where she leads with integrity, collaboration and purpose. Known for her strategic acumen, she has positioned Witham among Healthiest Employers’ “Healthiest 100 Workplaces in America” and cultivated a mission-focused culture rooted in patient care and innovation. A fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, Ms. Braverman also serves on regional economic development boards and healthcare consortiums, helping align hospital services with broader community growth. She is a recipient of the American College of Healthcare Executives “Distinguished Service Award” and the Indiana Healthcare Executive Network “Platinum Award” thanks to her commitment to leadership excellence.
Gena Bravo. Hospital President and CEO of Woodland (Calif.) Memorial Hospital at Dignity Health. Ms. Bravo leads the overall strategic direction, financial performance and operational excellence of Woodland Memorial Hospital, which serves all of Yolo County, Calif. Drawing on more than 25 years of hands-on clinical nursing expertise, she has cultivated a culture of continuous improvement and has supervised more than 700 full-time-equivalent staff while overseeing 10 recognition programs across disciplines. She co-led adult day healthcare expansion efforts with the county and, through advocacy by the Woodland Foundation and community donations, brought the da Vinci surgical robot to Woodland to expand minimally invasive surgical options. Under her leadership, the hospital earned a CMS 5-star rating and more than three consecutive years of Leapfrog “A” grades, along with the Practice Greenhealth “Environmental Excellence Award” and the Get With The Guidelines “Stroke Gold Plus Award.” Woodland Memorial also earned the “Gold Status” perinatal center of excellence 2025 designation and membership in the California Department of Public Health “Antimicrobial Stewardship Honor Roll.” Ms. Bravo serves as a board commissioner for Partnership HealthPlan of California, a trustee of the Woodland Healthcare Foundation board and a board member of the Sacramento Metro Chamber, among other community roles.
Aimee Brewer. President and CEO of Sturdy Health (Attleboro, Mass.). Since 2021, Ms. Brewer has led Sturdy Health through transformative growth as president and CEO of the independent, community-focused health system serving Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Under her leadership, the system achieved its first positive balance sheet in four years, with a $51.7 million net gain in fiscal year 2024 despite financial headwinds from uncompensated care and rising labor costs. Ms. Brewer spearheaded multiple capital projects, including a $60 million cancer and specialty care building and a $112 million emergency department expansion, and launched a landmark collaboration with Boston-based Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to bring world-class cancer services to the region. She has grown the provider network, modernized facilities and expanded key specialties. A recognized leader across state and national platforms, Ms. Brewer serves on the boards of the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association and the American Hospital Association regional policy board.
Lisa A. Breza, MSN, RN. Chief Administrative Officer at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton (N.J.). As chief administrative officer of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton, an RWJBarnabas Health facility, Ms. Breza provides leadership and direction aligned with the overall system strategy and holds the highest-ranking role at the hospital, the equivalent to a CEO role. She is responsible for all administrative aspects of the hospital and related entities, as well as compliance with regulatory agencies, while ensuring objectives that enhance the quality and service of patient care are met. Ms. Breza has spent 40 years with the RWJUH Hamilton team in positions of increasing responsibility, including direct patient care and multiple clinical leadership roles. As CNO, she led the nursing team to achieve the hospital’s first Magnet recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. In November 2023, she was appointed chief administrative officer after serving in the role on an interim basis for four months, and she has since worked with the executive team to drive strategic plans that improved quality of care, increased patient satisfaction, attracted top nursing talent and supported financial growth. In 2024, Ms. Breza received the hospital’s inaugural DAISY “Nurse Leader Award.” She is a member of numerous committees, including the local hospital board, the board’s finance committee and quality and patient safety committee, the medical executive committee and the New Jersey Hospital Association healthcare business solution board.
Deborah Browning, MSN, RN. CEO of USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital (Mobile, Ala.). Ms. Browning led a $20 million expansion of the only pediatric emergency center on Alabama’s Gulf Coast, doubling its size and enhancing care capabilities with 30 treatment areas. During her time as CEO, the hospital partnered with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement to address maternal health disparities and was one of only five hospitals nationwide selected for the institute’s postpartum equity initiative. She launched impactful programs like at-home blood pressure monitoring and medical alert bracelets for at-risk mothers, which have since been adopted in a statewide pilot by the Alabama Perinatal Quality Collaborative. Ms. Browning also grew the hospital’s child life team to provide 24/7 emergency center coverage and created new outreach roles to bridge healthcare gaps for underserved communities. The hospital has earned recognition as a Blue Distinction center for maternity care and received a $175,000 grant to expand its neonatal abstinence syndrome program.
Carisa Buegler. President of Allina Health New Ulm (Minn.) Medical Center. Ms. Buegler became president of New Ulm Medical Center in February 2026, where she is responsible for strategic leadership and operational management, including clinical, financial and quality-of-care objectives. She brings more than 25 years of experience in healthcare, nonprofits and community leadership, and worked at the medical center for more than 20 years before becoming president. Most recently she served as director of operations, helping guide long-term planning, overseeing major building updates, supporting staff engagement and leading clinical and support service teams. She also supported the openings of clinics in Springfield and Lamberton in 2020. Earlier, as director of foundation and community engagement, she led major fundraising projects and built community partnerships. Born at the medical center, Ms. Buegler has deep roots in the community and has been active in groups including the New Ulm Area Foundation and New Ulm Rotary. The medical center has been named one of the “Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals in the U.S.” by the Chartis Center for Rural Health 13 times.
Dawn Bulgarella. CEO of UAB Health System (Birmingham, Ala.). Ms. Bulgarella leads UAB Health System, which includes one of the nation’s largest and most respected academic medical centers. Since assuming the role, she has led a multi-year transformation focused on integration, scalability and long-term sustainability, including the strategic acquisition and cultural integration of Ascension St. Vincent’s Health System. She oversees an $8 billion enterprise encompassing hospitals, ambulatory clinics, physician networks and statewide partnerships. Under her leadership, the system has launched one of its most ambitious modernization efforts to date, advancing digital infrastructure, clinical systems, and enterprise operations to strengthen care delivery. A former CFO, Ms. Bulgarella brings deep expertise in fiscal strategy, governance and operational alignment. She is widely respected for her collaborative leadership and her commitment to the UAB Medicine mission of improving the health and lives of all it serves, especially in historically underserved communities across Alabama.
Jita Pandya Buño. CEO at University of Washington Medical Center (Seattle). As CEO of the University of Washington Medical Center, Ms. Buño is responsible for advancing its clinical excellence, research leadership and educational mission, including oversight of operations, strategic planning, capital and financial management, academic partnerships and community engagement. The dual-campus academic medical center is part of the broader UW Medicine system and serves as a regional and national referral hub for solid organ transplantation, cancer care, cardiac care, stroke, multiple sclerosis, robotics-assisted surgery and level 4 neonatal intensive care. The medical center has 9,000 employees and in fiscal year 2025 recorded 31,292 patient admissions, 420,547 clinic visits and 77,212 emergency department visits, while providing $502 million in uncompensated care. Since becoming CEO in September 2025, Ms. Buño has led new initiatives to improve access to patient care, increase capacity through more efficient use of resources and foster a people-oriented culture. She immigrated to the U.S. from India at age 16, enlisted in the Air Force a year later and went on to become a Navy intelligence officer before pursuing a leadership career in academic medicine. Ms. Buño was named a “40 Under 40” honoree by the Sacramento Business Journal in 2019.
Jennifer Burrows. Chief Executive of Providence Oregon (Portland). Ms. Burrows serves as chief executive of Providence Oregon, overseeing the strategic and operational performance of eight hospitals across the state, ranging from major hubs to critical access hospitals. A former registered nurse and CNO, she has led “recovery and renewal” initiatives to address significant operating losses through administrative restructuring and reduced non-clinical spending, and she negotiated new contracts for nurses across all eight of the system’s Oregon hospitals. She has directed the $144 million “Tomorrow Starts Today” philanthropic campaign toward large-scale facility expansions, including a renovated, expanded emergency department at Providence St. Vincent in Portland that added stroke response rooms, a pediatric treatment area and behavioral health rooms, and a multi-phase emergency department expansion at Providence Portland that will add 27 treatment areas. She also oversees a multi-year modernization of the Providence Heart Institute, including new electrophysiology labs, surgical suites and a cardiac intensive care unit slated for completion in 2027. Beyond capital projects, Ms. Burrows championed the “Collective Health Impact Specialist” model, which has secured more than $35 million in grant funding to address nonclinical barriers to health such as childcare and mental health services in rural areas. She additionally supported the Family Justice Center of Washington County, the nation’s first facility to integrate domestic and sexual violence services, child abuse medical care, law enforcement, housing support, mental health care and a therapeutic preschool under one roof. Previously, she spent 14 years in senior roles at Virginia health systems, including vice president of patient care services at Sentara Norfolk (Va.) General Hospital, before joining Providence in 2014 as CNO for Providence St. Vincent Medical Center, rising to regional CNO in 2019 and returning to Providence St. Vincent as chief executive in 2021. Under her leadership, Providence St. Vincent was recognized by U.S. News & World Report in 21 categories for 2025-26 and Providence Portland in 16, and all eight of the system’s Oregon hospitals earned Practice Greenhealth recognition for environmental excellence.
Carolyn Caldwell. President of St. Mary Medical Center at Dignity Health (Long Beach, Calif.). Ms. Caldwell is responsible for the execution of the hospital strategy for St. Mary Medical Center, a 360-bed level 2 trauma center, including management of financial performance and oversight of all operational components. She manages relationships with physicians and external community partners, and is responsible for regulatory performance and compliance. A senior healthcare executive with more than 30 years of experience, Ms. Caldwell has overseen profit and loss, growth strategy and performance turnarounds across for-profit and nonprofit systems, with deep expertise in acute care, utilization management and physician enterprise growth. She reinforces a mindset for clinical innovation through business processes and performance measures aimed at reducing unnecessary variation to improve outcomes. Under her leadership, St. Mary Medical Center has achieved a Leapfrog “A” safety grade for the last three reporting cycles, a CMS 5-star rating and Healthgrades’ “Excellence in Quality in the Treatment of Heart Failure” award for 2025-2026. Ms. Caldwell also serves on the boards of the California Hospital Association, the Hospital Association of Southern California and the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce.
Brenda Carlisle, BSN, RN. CEO of UAB Hospital (Birmingham, Ala.). Ms. Carlisle oversees the operations of the fifth-largest hospital in the country. The University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital is a leading academic medical center and is continuously ranked as the No. 1 hospital in Alabama by U.S News & World Report. The hospital has over 1,400 beds and 19,900 employees that care for one million patients annually. During her tenure, she has advanced major patient care investments, including a new Rehabilitation Pavilion and a $70 million emergency department expansion, while strengthening patient flow, expanding access to specialized care and elevating the overall patient experience.
Kristy Carrington, BSN, RN. Chief Executive, Providence North Puget Sound (Everett, Wash.). Ms. Carrington was named chief executive of Providence North Puget Sound in 2022, which includes the Providence Regional Medical Center Everett, Swedish Edmonds and the Swedish Mill Creek emergency department. Her responsibilities include crafting and implementing strategic plans for workforce recovery, renewal and restructuring. Ms. Carrington has previously served as chief nursing officer for the Providence Swedish Puget Sound region.
Patricia Carroll. President and Chief Hospital Executive at Hackensack Meridian Raritan Bay Medical Center (Perth Amboy, N.J.) and Old Bridge (N.J.) Medical Center. Ms. Carroll has accountability for and oversight of both Raritan Bay Medical Center and Old Bridge Medical Center, including operations, strategy and business economics, leading two community hospitals with 460 beds, 1,315 full-time team members and $312 million in annual revenue. She has held these roles since 2022 and began her career as a staff nurse, bringing dual clinical and administrative expertise. In 2024, inpatient behavioral health was expanded to 81 beds at Raritan Bay Medical Center, complemented by continuing and new partnerships that expand access to behavioral health care across the region. In 2025, Raritan Bay earned the Joint Commission’s advanced certification in perinatal care, and construction is set to begin this year on a new hybrid cardiac and interventional radiology suite at Old Bridge Medical Center. Raritan Bay Medical Center has earned Magnet designation for nursing excellence and “America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Prostate Surgery Award” from Healthgrades. Ms. Carroll is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Lisa Carter. President of Ballad Health Southern Region (Johnson City, Tenn.). As president of Ballad Health’s Southern Region, Ms. Carter is primarily responsible for overseeing the organization’s operations in a region comprising nine hospitals covering more than 1,000 beds. Her role involves managing strategic initiatives, maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders, ensuring high-quality patient care and driving regional growth opportunities. Under her leadership, the southern region has experienced significant growth, including expanding services and facilities, allowing the organization to serve the region’s population better. Her team has proactively developed innovative programs to enhance patient experience and outcomes. For instance, in response to the opioid epidemic in the region, Ms. Carter spearheaded the formation of a task force to address the crisis that focuses on harm reduction, prevention and treatment.
Chanda Chacon. President and CEO of Children’s Nebraska (Omaha). In her nearly six years in her leadership role, Ms. Chacón cultivated an environment of growth and innovation within the state’s only full-service pediatric healthcare center. Children’s Nebraska opened the nine-story Hubbard Center for Children in 2021, nearly doubling the hospital’s physical footprint with new construction for neonatal and pediatric intensive care units, fetal care center, cardiac care unit, expanded surgical suites, radiology and emergency departments and helipad, all under one roof. She led construction of Behavioral Health & Wellness Center at Children’s Nebraska, with a “No Wrong Door” care model ensuring timely, appropriate care for children needing behavioral health support, opening this year as the region’s first of its kind with a full spectrum of pediatric mental health services in a comprehensive location. She drives strategic partnerships and capabilities to support innovative care, including the Mammel Innovation Center. Children’ Nebraska introduced “People First Promise,” grounded in purpose, belonging, joy, wellbeing, and learning and growth. The culture supports above-benchmark team member engagement, reflected in 90th-percentile engagement scores from 2022-2025. The 2025 team member retention rate of 88.7% puts Children’s Nebraska in the top 10% of children’s hospitals nationwide. Team members have a voice and are highly engaged across the organization. Children’s Nebraska experienced a 35% reduction in turnover since 2021 and team member attendance at quarterly virtual town halls regularly eclipses 80%. Team member and provider engagement have increased by 36.9 and 86.7 points, respectively, since 2021.
Jen Chahanovich. President and CEO of Wilcox Memorial Hospital and CEO of Kauai Medical Clinic (Kauai, Hawaii). In 2015, Ms. Chahanovich was named president and CEO of Hawaii Pacific Health’s Wilcox Medical Center and CEO of Kauai Medical Clinic. She has been with the health system since 2002 and acted as CEO of Pali Momi Medical Center in Aiea before assuming her current role. Under Ms. Chahanovich’s leadership, Wilcox Medical Center’s emergency department underwent a $5.1 million renovation to provide residents with access to cutting-edge trauma care.
Beth Charlton, RN. President and CEO of Covenant HealthCare (Saginaw, Mich.). Ms. Charlton stepped into the role of Covenant HealthCare’s president and CEO in July of 2021. Covenant is one of the largest employers in the area, with 4,500 employees and 600 medical staff. Ms. Charlton’s three-plus decades in healthcare, with roles ranging from bedside nurse to chief nursing officer to executive vice president and COO, make her the ideal fit for the leadership role.
Karen Cheeseman. President and CEO of Mackinac Straits Health System (St. Ignace, Mich.). In July 2017, Ms. Cheesman became the first new CEO of Mackinac Straits in over 17 years. She transitioned from the COO role following the previous CEO’s retirement. Ms. Cheesman has extensive experience in management, 16 years of which were spent at the health system. She has played a key role in relationship building, strategic planning, recruiting, and operations during her time with the system.
Gina Coleman. President of Hartford (Conn.) HealthCare’s Central Region and Senior Vice President of Hartford HealthCare. Ms. Coleman oversees operations for The Hospital of Central Connecticut, a 446-bed community teaching hospital spanning two campuses, and MidState Medical Center, a 156-bed acute care hospital with an orthopedic institute and multiple satellite locations. Ms. Coleman leads initiatives across quality and safety, clinical excellence, staff development, patient experience and financial stewardship for the region. She maintains a “mobile office” to stay accessible across multiple sites, and is known for mentoring and advocating for care transformation. She has been named among Connecticut NAACP’s “100 Most Influential Blacks” and Hartford Business Journal’s “Power 25.” Under her leadership, the region’s hospitals earned Leapfrog “A” safety grades, top Healthgrades and U.S. News & World Report rankings for various specialties, and multiple accolades for cardiac and critical care.
Joanna Conley. President and CEO of Doctors Hospital (Augusta, Ga.). Ms. Conley has been president and CEO of HCA Healthcare’s Doctors Hospital of Augusta, which includes the largest burn center in the U.S., since August 2022. Before that, she served as president and CEO of TriStar Southern Hills Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn. Ms. Conley is very intentional about creating a positive, inclusive culture. She knows the importance of a strong focus on diversity, equity and inclusion and has implemented a number of hospital initiatives with this in mind.
Stephanie Conn, MSN, RN. CEO of Coshocton (Ohio) Regional Hospital and East Liverpool (Ohio) City Hospital. Ms. Conn brings a track record of safety, operational efficiency and community trust to her leadership of two Prime Healthcare hospitals, Coshocton Regional and East Liverpool City. She has reduced adverse events through robust care pathways and improved patient outcomes while streamlining workflows to prioritize both patient care and staff wellbeing. Ms. Conn’s open-door leadership style and community engagement have positioned her hospitals as regional models for excellence, compassion and innovation. Both hospitals have been recognized with Fortune and Premier’s “100 Top Hospitals” designation, which honors community hospitals in the U.S.
Stephanie Conners, BSN, RN. President and CEO at BayCare Health System (Clearwater, Fla.). Ms. Conners is president and CEO of BayCare Health System, the largest academic health system in West Central Florida, leading the $7 billion organization with nearly 34,000 team members, 16 hospitals with a 17th under construction, and hundreds of outpatient facilities. In 2024, she led a significant corporate restructuring to strengthen BayCare’s long-term stability, and under her leadership the system launched Florida’s first behavioral health urgent care center and introduced advanced proton therapy to the region. A key accomplishment has been the expansion of BayCare’s graduate medical education programs, which are committed to growing residency positions to more than 650 by 2029, placing the system among the fastest-growing such programs in the nation. Ms. Conners strengthened BayCare’s academic and clinical capabilities through a strategic collaboration with Chicago-based Northwestern Medicine and oversaw the Integrated Service Center, a 258,000-square-foot centralized supply facility that uses robotic technology to streamline distribution. Starting her career as a nurse and maintaining her license, she brings a clinician’s perspective to leadership, with prior executive roles including executive vice president and COO at Philadelphia-based Jefferson Health. In April 2026, Ms. Conners was named the inaugural recipient of the “Louise Whitfield Carnegie Award for Leadership Excellence in Healthcare” by the TIAA Institute.
Joanne M. Conroy, MD. President and CEO at Dartmouth Health (Lebanon, N.H.). Dr. Conroy leads Dartmouth Health, New Hampshire’s largest private employer and only academic health system, overseeing its flagship and a growing network of member hospitals and clinics across northern New England. She leads with a philosophy rooted in trust, innovation and mentorship. Since becoming CEO in 2017, she has driven a remarkable financial turnaround, guided the system’s expansion, and advanced major infrastructure projects that enhance access and clinical innovation. Under her leadership, Dartmouth Health completed a $150 million inpatient pavilion expansion that increased capacity to 460 beds, and opened a state-of-the-art ambulatory surgical center that extends specialized care and technology to more patients. A nationally recognized advocate for gender equity in healthcare leadership, Dr. Conroy is a founding member of the “Women of Impact” leadership group and actively mentors the next generation of professionals. In 2016, she was recognized among Boston Business Journal’s “Women of Influence” honorees. She received the Leapfrog Group’s 2021 “Steven Schroeder Award for Outstanding Healthcare CEO” and was named the New Hampshire Union Leader‘s “Citizen of the Year” for 2022. In 2024, Dr. Conroy served as chair of the American Hospital Association board of trustees, where she continues to shape national policy on academic medicine and healthcare delivery.
Cristina Contreras. CEO at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln (Bronx, N.Y.). Ms. Contreras serves as CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln, a level 1 trauma center with one of the busiest emergency departments in the nation, within the country’s largest municipal healthcare system. She began her career as a caseworker and progressed through positions of increasing responsibility before her appointment as CEO in 2024. Across more than 30 years of leadership in public healthcare, Ms. Contreras has delivered financial turnarounds, measurable quality and safety improvements, expanded access in high-need communities and national recognition for equity and excellence. She is recognized for creating an organizational culture grounded in authenticity, kindness and transparency, and as a champion of her team’s wellbeing. Under her leadership, the hospital earned the American College of Surgeons “National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Meritorious Award” in 2024 as one of only 76 hospitals in the nation to receive the distinction, along with full Joint Commission accreditation including specialized programs for palliative care and advanced perinatal care. Ms. Contreras previously served as CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan in New York City and held progressive leadership roles at NYC Health + Hospitals/North Central Bronx. She serves on the NYU School of Public Service advisory board and presented at the 2025 American College of Healthcare Executives Annual Congress.
Maureen “Mimi” Coomler. CEO at Tucson (Ariz.) Medical Center. Ms. Coomler serves as CEO of Tucson Medical Center, ensuring the day-to-day operational excellence of Tucson’s largest hospital and TMC Health’s flagship facility, a 628-bed acute-care facility with more than 4,000 employees. As leader of Southern Arizona’s only locally governed nonprofit hospital, she oversees the region’s leading emergency and pediatric services, which serve more than 100,000 patients each year. Ms. Coomler is spearheading a transformative, three-phase renovation and expansion of the hospital’s adult and pediatric emergency departments, with phase 1 completed in February 2025 and full completion expected this year. She is also leading the hospital’s evolution into a high reliability organization, embedding continuous learning, systemwide process improvement and rigorous patient safety practices, with every employee participating in ongoing training. Under her leadership, the hospital earned designation as a “Gold Standard Top Hospital” by Castle Connolly and placement on Forbes‘ “America’s Best Employers for Women” list in 2025. Ms. Coomler serves on the boards of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the Southern Arizona Leadership Council and Intermountain Centers.
Debra Cresta. President at Exeter (N.H.) Hospital. Ms. Cresta has dedicated more than 35 years of service to Exeter Hospital and Core Physicians, part of Cambridge, Mass.-based Beth Israel Lahey Health. As president, she provides executive leadership for both organizations across New Hampshire’s Seacoast region. She is responsible for the overall strategic, operational and financial performance of the organization and oversees a workforce of approximately 2,500 employees, all while honoring Exeter’s mission since its 1897 founding as a small cottage hospital. Since the hospital joined Beth Israel Lahey Health in 2023, Ms. Cresta has led its integration into the system and is investing in expanded advanced imaging capabilities and a second cardiac catheterization lab to improve access to high-quality care. She led Exeter Hospital’s incident command throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. Prior to her appointment as president in 2023, she held senior leadership roles including executive vice president, COO, president of Core Physicians and vice president of ambulatory services. The hospital has earned a CMS 5-star overall quality rating from 2023 to 2025, consecutive Leapfrog “A” safety ratings from 2024 to 2026, and Magnet designation for nursing excellence. In 2019, Business NH Magazine recognized Ms. Cresta on its list of “New Hampshire’s Top Women-Led Nonprofits.”
Kimberly Chavalas Cripe. President and CEO of Rady Children’s Health (San Diego). Ms. Cripe serves as CEO and president of Rady Children’s Health, one of the nation’s largest pediatric healthcare systems, affiliated with the University of California medical schools at UC Irvine and UC San Diego. Formed in January 2025 through the merger of the parent companies of Children’s Hospital of Orange County and Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego, Rady Children’s Health includes three hospitals, a growing network of primary and specialty care centers across six counties, more than 13,000 employees and 2,000 physicians. Its hospitals are consistently recognized for excellence, with honors including Leapfrog Top Hospital recognition, U.S. News & World Report top 10 children’s hospital rankings, and Magnet recognition for nursing excellence. Before the merger, Ms. Cripe served for 28 years as CHOC’s president and CEO. During Rady Children’s Health’s first year, she has made culture a cornerstone of integration by bringing two organizations together around a shared mission, vision and values while honoring each hospital’s distinct strengths and legacies. Through regional collaboration, she is strengthening clinical care, research, education and innovation, positioning Rady Children’s Health to better serve children and families throughout Southern California and beyond.
Jennifer Cruikshank, RN. CEO of Riverside University Health System-Medical Center (Moreno Valley, Calif.). As CEO, Ms. Cruikshank oversees two hospital campuses, 58 clinics and a $1.6 billion annual budget that serves 2.4 million Riverside County residents. Since taking the helm in 2017, she has implemented Lean-based operational reforms that cut ambulance offload times from 45 minutes to under 29 and opened six express care sites to expand access. Ms. Cruikshank has led major campus expansions, including a 200,000-square-foot surgical center, and secured level 1 trauma center verification. She has grown the system’s graduate medical education programs from five to over 12, reinforcing its position as the largest academic hospital in the county. For her work, she has received national recognition, including maternity care honors from the U.S. News & World Report and multiple awards from the American Heart Association and Health Resources and Services Administration.
Tab Culbertson. President and Chief Administrative Officer at Covenant Health Fort Sanders Regional (Knoxville, Tenn.). As president and chief administrative officer of Covenant Health Fort Sanders Regional, Ms. Culbertson provides executive leadership for one of East Tennessee’s busiest and most complex acute care hospitals, a regional referral center with 468 acute care beds recognized for excellence in stroke care, neurosciences, gastroenterology, obstetrics, orthopedics, oncology, surgery and rehabilitation medicine. She oversees strategic direction, operational performance, financial stewardship and quality outcomes, partnering with medical staff leadership to advance clinical excellence and expand access to care. Her 27-year career began at the bedside as a licensed practical nurse, a foundation that has shaped her leadership philosophy and her focus on quality, safety and frontline caregivers. Before joining Covenant Health, Ms. Culbertson served as market president for Centra Health’s Lynchburg (Va.) region, where she led Lynchburg General Hospital, a 410-bed level 2 trauma center, and Virginia Baptist Hospital, a 161-bed community hospital, elevating both hospitals’ Leapfrog grades from “D” to “B,” improving CMS ratings from 3- to 5-stars and achieving a 58% reduction in healthcare-associated infections, including a 66% reduction in central line-associated bloodstream infections and 47% reduction in catheter-associated urinary tract infection. Earlier, at Falls Church, Va.-based Inova Health System, she supported the opening of a $300 million hospital tower and led emergency management operations during Covid-19, and at West Holt Medical Services in Atkinson, Neb. she served as COO and chief compliance officer, expanding outpatient revenue by more than 10%. A fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, she also spent 17 years with Norfolk, Va.-based Sentara Healthcare, leading imaging and ambulatory services across multiple hospitals.
Regina Cunningham, PhD, RN. CEO of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia). Dr. Cunningham has served as CEO of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania since 2017, overseeing one of the country’s top academic medical centers and a cornerstone of Penn Medicine. Under her leadership, the hospital has continued to advance clinical excellence, research innovation and education while completing transformational projects, including the 1.5-million-square-foot pavilion, a state-of-the-art facility designed to support cutting-edge care. A nurse scientist and educator, Dr. Cunningham brings a unique blend of clinical insight and executive acumen to the role, with prior experience as associate CNO at Penn’s Abramson Cancer Center. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and a former Robert Wood Johnson executive nurse fellow.
Krista Curell, RN. President of the University of Chicago Medical Center and UChicago Medicine Crown Point (Ind.), and Executive Vice President and System COO at UChicago Medicine. Ms. Curell serves as president of the University of Chicago Medical Center and UChicago Medicine Crown Point, while concurrently holding the roles of executive vice president and system COO. In these combined roles, she is responsible for more than 14,000 employees and 2,400 clinicians across the system’s hospitals, clinics and physician practices in Chicago, its suburbs and Northwest Indiana. She has spent 25 years at UChicago Medicine, advancing through senior roles in risk management, compliance, integration and system operations before her appointment as medical center president in late 2025. The medical center holds 28 consecutive Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade “A” ratings, making it the only hospital in Chicago and the only research-intensive academic medical center nationally with a perfect record since the program began in 2012, and received its eighth Leapfrog “Top Teaching Hospital” designation in December 2025. It ranks among only 28 hospitals nationwide listed in 10 or more specialties on U.S. News & World Report‘s 2025-26 “Best Hospitals” list, with the cancer program ranked No. 12 nationally. She is overseeing the development of a 575,000-square-foot cancer pavilion opening in 2027, the Chicago region’s first freestanding cancer facility, and in 2024 helped open UChicago Medicine Crown Point as the system’s largest facility outside its Hyde Park campus. A licensed attorney and registered nurse, Ms. Curell has been recognized as a 2024 “Daniel Burnham Fellow” by Leadership Greater Chicago and as a “Notable Woman in Health Care” by Crain’s Chicago Business.
Cris Daskevich. CEO of CHRISTUS Children’s Hospital (San Antonio) and Senior Vice President of Maternal Services for CHRISTUS Health (Irving, Texas). Ms. Daskevich is CEO of CHRISTUS Children’s Hospital in San Antonio and senior vice president of pediatrics and maternal services for CHRISTUS Health. A nationally recognized pediatric and maternal healthcare executive, she has more than 25 years of experience building high-performing clinical programs with exceptional patient safety and quality outcomes while fostering mission-driven cultures. In her role, she leads strategic planning and execution, facility expansion, growth in pediatric and maternal subspecialty services, philanthropy, advocacy, and physician and leadership recruitment. Under her leadership and in partnership with Baylor College of Medicine, CHRISTUS Children’s has significantly expanded access to care by bringing nationally recognized pediatric subspecialty and high-risk maternal services to San Antonio and South Texas, allowing more families to receive specialized care closer to home. The hospital became the first children’s hospital in South Texas to achieve Magnet designation for nursing excellence in 2018, recertified in 2024, and is preparing for Magnet redesignation in 2028. Ms. Daskevich is an active leader in healthcare advocacy and governance. She serves as chair of the Texas Hospital Association board of trustees, chair of the Learning & Engagement Committee for the Children’s Hospital Association, is a board member of Solutions for Patient Safety, and is active with Texas Business Leadership Council.
Daphne David. President and CEO at Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford (Murfreesboro, Tenn.). Ms. David, bringing more than 20 years of leadership experience, became president and CEO of Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford in May 2025. Her responsibilities center on integrating the organization’s mission with executive leadership, providing strategic vision, financial stewardship and oversight of quality and safe patient care while cultivating a culture of trust, compassion and resilience. Before joining Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford, she served as CEO of HCA TriStar Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, Tenn., from November 2021 to February 2025, where she led $160 million in capital infrastructure growth and oversaw expansion across multiple service lines. Under her leadership, the 234-bed facility experienced strong growth, improved patient experience and increased physician engagement while reducing staff turnover. During her time at Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare, she increased overall market share amid a larger market decline, secured a “Hospital of the Future” designation and expanded the graduate medical education program to four new specialties. As CEO of North Suburban Medical Center in Thornton, Colo. from 2018 to 2021, Ms. David led a $50 million facility enhancement and helped the hospital become a level 2 trauma center. She is an active member of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Darcy Davis. President and CEO at Health Care District of Palm Beach County (West Palm Beach, Fla.). Ms. Davis leads the Health Care District of Palm Beach County, an integrated, publicly funded healthcare and public safety system that operates a rural teaching hospital, a network of federally qualified health centers, a skilled nursing center, Trauma Hawk air ambulances, school health and the county’s trauma agency. Serving a county of 1.5 million people, she is responsible for setting the system’s vision and overseeing clinical operations, financial performance and quality outcomes for all ages, including the underserved and uninsured. During her nine years as CEO, she reduced the district’s millage to its lowest rate in the system’s 37-year history while expanding services and improving quality. In 2025, she spearheaded a strategic partnership between Lakeside Medical Center in Belle Glade, Fla., the state’s only rural teaching hospital, and Tampa (Fla.) General Hospital to expand specialty services for underserved populations in the Glades. She is also leading development of the Two Waters Mental Health Center, a first-of-its-kind Palm Beach County facility offering 24/7 crisis intervention and follow-up care for adults and children. Under her leadership, Lakeside Medical Center was named the most racially inclusive hospital in the nation by the Lown Institute, and the district’s community health centers have earned the Health Resources and Services Administration “Gold National Quality Leader” designation seven years in a row.
Leslie C. Davis. President and CEO at UPMC (Pittsburgh). Ms. Davis leads UPMC, a $28 billion global health system with over 40 hospitals and 800 sites of care in Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, Italy, Ireland and Croatia. The system’s 100,000 employees include 5,000 employed physicians and 24,000 nurses. With over three decades in healthcare leadership, Ms. Davis oversees a broad portfolio uniting clinical operations, innovation and insurance under one system, driving excellence in patient care, research and growth. UPMC’s highly ranked health plan, serving over 4 million members, creates innovative solutions for high-quality, low-cost healthcare coverage to improve the lives of its members across diverse patient populations. Under Ms. Davis’ leadership, UPMC continues setting the standard for how technology transforms care with a vast and resilient digital ecosystem of nearly 500,000 connected devices, over 3,600 applications and 70 pedabytes of data, including more than 2.7 billion patient records. She is driving strategic growth through new outpatient centers, virtual care expansion and UPMC’s advancement of AI, including early adoption of ambient AI and the systemwide transition to a unified Epic EHR to unlock AI-driven clinical and operational transformation.
Takeisha Davis, MD. CEO at New Orleans East Hospital. Dr. Davis is CEO and president of New Orleans East Hospital. Dr. Davis previously served at the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals’ Office of Public Health as regional medical director for the Greater New Orleans region and as director of the Center for Community and Preventive Health. A founding member of Achieving Awesome Things Through Inspiring Actions, Dr. Davis established Taylor Made Medical Consulting in 2006 to educate and empower young people, work that has included a preventive health lecture series with incarcerated youth and a keynote address at Tulane University’s inaugural Black Women’s Health Conference. She is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Public Health Association, the Louisiana Public Health Association, the American Association of Public Health Physicians, the National Medical Association and the New Orleans Medical Association.
Tina Freese Decker. President and CEO at Corewell Health (Grand Rapids, Mich.). Ms. Freese Decker leads Michigan’s largest, most integrated health system with 21 hospitals, 60,000 team members, over 300 outpatient locations and Priority Health, the nation’s third-largest provider-sponsored health plan with over 1.3 million members. Visionary architect of the 2022 integration of former systems Beaumont Health and Spectrum Health, Ms. Freese Decker, 2025 American Hospital Association board chair, guided Corewell Health’s unified model of care and coverage, strengthening access and improving outcomes across urban, suburban and rural markets. The system achieved record recognition for clinical excellence, with two hospitals earning national rankings and seven “high performing” specialty designations from U.S. News & World Report. Priority Health was named “America’s Best Customer Service” provider by Newsweek, and over two years Corewell Health was recognized globally, becoming certified as a “Great Place To Work”. It received Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society’s “Davies Award of Excellence” for its innovative “Inboxologist” program, and recognition by the International Hospital Federation’s World Hospital Congress for pioneering an online hub focused on team members’ wellbeing. Corewell Health is transforming youth behavioral healthcare access in rural Michigan with 18 school-based clinics and telemedicine programs, keeping kids in school with emotional wellbeing support. Its “Blue Envelope” program increases mental health support, training 15,000 educators to reach 95,000 students in 230 schools to provide immediate, compassionate help for those with suicidal thoughts.
Sheri DeShazo. President of Advocate Health, Sherman Hospital and Service Area (Milwaukee and Downers Grove, Ill.). Ms. DeShazo is the president of Sherman Hospital, which is part of Charlotte, N.C.-based Advocate Health. Advocate Health is the fifth-largest nonprofit integrated health system in the United States. She oversees the operation of a 225-bed facility and several outpatient and immediate care centers. The emergency room sees nearly 60,000 visits per year with a level 2 trauma center that serves the North and West suburbs.
Heather Dexter. President of the Regional Hospital Division of Emory Healthcare (Atlanta). Ms. Dexter serves as president of the regional hospital division for Emory Healthcare, which includes Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Sandy Springs, Ga., Emory Johns Creek (Ga.) Hospital, Emory Decatur (Ga.) Hospital, Emory Hillandale Hospital in Lithonia, Ga. and Emory Long-Term Acute Care Hospital in Decatur. Prior, she served as CEO of Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital since 2015. Her leadership led the hospital through a period of growth, including new programs, initiatives, physicians, construction and more. Prior to assuming that role, she was COO from 2011 to 2015. Her career at the hospital stretches back even farther; she originally began working as an administrative resident in 1998 before working her way up through progressive leadership roles.
Mary Deynoodt. CEO of Ochsner Baptist (New Orleans). Ms. Deynoodt serves as CEO of Ochsner Baptist, a campus of Ochsner Medical Center, where she drives the operational, financial and strategic performance of the 124-bed hospital and manages more than 1,000 physicians and more than 1,200 employees. She assumed the role in fall 2024 after nearly 25 years leading teams across several healthcare organizations, and has been a longstanding champion for the physical and psychological safety of her teams and for efforts to curb workplace violence in healthcare settings. Under her leadership, Ochsner Baptist installed RefleXion, one of a small number of PET-CT guided linear accelerators available in the U.S., and began offering enhanced radiology diagnostic screening for breast cancer patients. The campus’s obstetrics and gynecology service line was ranked No. 13 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for 2025-2026, and Ochsner Baptist was named to Newsweek‘s 2025 and 2026 lists of “America’s Best Maternity Hospitals.” In her previous role as CEO of Ochsner Medical Center-West Bank in Gretna, La., Ms. Deynoodt oversaw improvements in inpatient and outpatient quality and added service lines including vascular surgery, neurosurgery, orthopedics and gastroenterology, and led that campus to join Ochsner Medical Center–New Orleans as the U.S. News & World Report No. 1 hospital in the state. She was named “Ochsner Management Leader of the Year” in 2008 and a New Orleans CityBusiness “Woman of the Year” honoree in 2023. Ms. Deynoodt is a member of Elevate Louisiana and has served on the boards of 504 HealthNet and Our Community Health.
Anne Davila Diamond. President at Bridgeport (Conn.) Hospital. Ms. Diamond is president of Bridgeport Hospital, a 501-bed acute care hospital with two campuses that admits more than 30,000 patients and provides more than 600,000 outpatient treatments annually. The hospital is home to the Connecticut Burn Center, the only burn center in the state and one of only 80 verified burn centers in the nation. Ms. Diamond began at the hospital just before the Covid-19 pandemic and led staff through the crisis while implementing new procedures and technologies, including a new stroke center equipped with a biplane neuro-angiography imaging system. Serving a city with a large Latino population, she launched a Hispanic breast cancer program in partnership with Smilow Cancer Hospital leadership and advocated for a Spanish-language social media campaign to engage the Hispanic community. Appointed executive sponsor for workplace violence, disaster preparedness, safety and security for Yale New Haven Health System, she oversaw work groups that developed innovative safety methodologies and earned the hospital national recognition for training armed security guards. Ms. Diamond previously served as president and CEO of Day Kimball in Putnam, Conn. and CEO of John Dempsey Hospital in Farmington, Conn., and she received the American Hospital Association’s “Grassroots Champion Award” in 2020 for her work addressing asthma in the state.
Nancy DiLiegro, PhD. President and CEO at Trinitas Regional Medical Center (Elizabeth, N.J.). As president and CEO of Trinitas Regional Medical Center, an West Orange, N.J.-based RWJBarnabas Health facility, Dr. DiLiegro provides strategic and operational leadership for a 553-bed Catholic teaching hospital sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth. She oversees two major campuses and a broad continuum of clinical, behavioral health and community-based services, guiding long-term planning and academic partnerships, including collaborations with the Rutgers Cancer Institute and Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care. Dr. DiLiegro has overseen major capital and programmatic developments, including the opening of a $40 million medical arts building and a center for autism and developmental disabilities, as well as the implementation of the TrueBeam Linear Accelerator, which reduced radiation treatment times from 30 minutes to less than two minutes. She also supported efforts to secure a $1.25 million grant to modernize the cardiac catheterization lab. Under her leadership, Trinitas achieved the Leapfrog “A” hospital safety grade for fall 2025, its highest rating in more than a decade, and earned consecutive U.S. News & World Report distinctions for maternity care. Programs such as “Meds to Bed” and transitional care have reduced wait times and improved discharge processes, while she has championed community health initiatives that address social determinants of health. Before becoming president and CEO, Dr. DiLiegro served Trinitas as vice president of clinical and physician services from 2009 to 2023 and in earlier roles dating to 2002.
Marcy Doderer. President and CEO for Arkansas Children’s (Little Rock). Ms. Doderer is the president and CEO of Arkansas Children’s, where she oversees the daily operations of multiple care facilities that include more than 350 beds all together. She directs $25 million in routine capital projects annually and oversees the long-term expansion of the organization. She is actively engaged nationally with Children’s Hospital Association and Children’s Hospitals’ Solutions for Patient Safety to advocate on behalf of child health, robust learning systems and improved outcomes.
Sara Dodds. President of BayCare St. Joseph’s Hospital-North (Lutz, Fla.). As president of BayCare’s St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, Ms. Dodds provides executive leadership across all aspects of hospital operations, clinical quality, patient experience, physician engagement, workforce culture and financial performance. She has built her career at Clearwater, Fla.-based BayCare Health System over the last 22 years, progressing from a nursing assistant to bedside nurse to hospital president. Ms. Dodds served as hospital lead for a $76 million vertical expansion project that doubled the hospital’s capacity and added new services, positioning St. Joseph’s Hospital-North to exceed pre-pandemic volumes. Under her leadership, the hospital achieved a Leapfrog safety grade of “A,” the group’s highest rating, and earned recognition as a Fortune and IBM Watson “Top 100 Hospital” for multiple years. She established and chaired the hospital’s ethics consult team, and led efforts resulting in initial and ongoing DNV accreditation for the primary stroke program, while co-leading the system’s anesthesia collaborative to create a systemwide anesthesia consent. Ms. Dodds was named to the Tampa Bay Business Journal‘s “40 Under 40” list in 2021 and was appointed president in 2023 after serving as interim president.
Jill Donaldson. President of MedStar Harbor Hospital and Senior Vice President of MedStar Health (Baltimore). As president of MedStar Harbor Hospital, Ms. Donaldson is responsible for its overall strategic and operational direction. In this role, she oversees every aspect of hospital care and operations, is accountable to the board of directors and directly supervises the chief medical officer, chief nursing officer, vice president for operations, CFO, and the patient experience and care transformation senior leaders. She is also a senior vice president for the $7 billion nonprofit health system that employs over 30,000 people.
Carol Dozier. CEO of Norton King’s Daughters’ Health (Madison, Ind.). Since 2013, Ms. Dozier has served as the CEO of Norton King’s Daughters’ Health. Her leadership of the rural hospital has been praised, especially in light of the pandemic. Prior to her current role, she was CEO of Laramie, Wyo.-based Ivinson Memorial Hospital, where she headed the construction of a new hospital and other renovations, guided financial turnabouts and more.
Laureen Driscoll. Chief Executive of Providence’s South Division (California). Ms. Driscoll is chief executive of Providence’s South Division in California, the health system’s largest and most complex division, where she oversees 17 hospitals across Northern and Southern California and supports more than 40,000 caregivers and approximately 11,000 physicians across an integrated continuum that spans acute care hospitals, urgent care, medical groups, outpatient centers, home health, hospice, wellness centers and telehealth. She stepped into the role in June 2023 following a national search, after serving as interim chief executive and regional CEO for Northern California. A registered nurse by training, Ms. Driscoll led a major restructuring that decentralized decision-making and organized operations into four service areas — Northern California, San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles Coastal, and Orange County/High Desert — to bring strategy closer to the bedside. She is shepherding a $712 million, seven-year expansion of Mission Hospital in South Orange County, including a new patient care tower expected by 2030. Under her division’s leadership, Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Orange celebrated its 90th kidney transplant through a program ranked No. 1 in California, and the division has adopted breakthrough technologies such as new ultrasound capabilities for liver cancer treatment along with artificial intelligence applications for patient engagement, diagnostics, care protocols and administrative efficiency. A champion of co-caring models that reduce administrative burden for nurses, she has supported legislation to make violence against healthcare workers in emergency departments a federal offense, and her culture work has contributed to improved caregiver engagement and intent-to-stay scores. Earlier, Ms. Driscoll served as Providence’s regional chief executive for Northern California and held senior roles at MultiCare Health System in Tacoma, Wash., including president of Tacoma General and Allenmore Hospitals and president of MultiCare Deaconess Hospital, and she was chief operating officer of Providence Swedish’s Cherry Hill Campus in Seattle, having begun her career as a registered nurse in Portland, Maine.
Danielle Drummond. President and CEO of Lakeland (Fla.) Regional Health. In her role as president and CEO, Ms. Drummond works to ensure the optimal performance of all aspects of the health system, from the day-to-day operations to the long-term strategic development initiatives. One of her standout achievements was the creation of the Center for Behavioral Health and Wellness, a facility that provides access, service, safety and programming for those with behavioral health needs. She has also demonstrated her commitment to advancing women’s empowerment via her capstone project, the Carol Jenkins Barnett Pavilion for Women and Children, which is a dedicated pediatric emergency room for women and children.
Sandy Dugger. CEO of Banner Platte County Hospital (Wheatland, Wyo.). Ms. Dugger leads this 25-bed critical access hospital located in southeastern Wyoming adjacent to the Laramie Mountain Range. Opened in 1955, the facility has undergone several remodels to remain at the forefront of technology, including enhancements to the inpatient unit, medical imaging and other areas of the hospital. Ms. Dugger, with 36 years of healthcare experience with Phoenix-based Banner Health, fosters a positive workplace culture, oversees the delivery of exceptional patient care, safety, and strategic direction. She is able to swiftly navigate the many challenges that rural hospitals face, demonstrating resilience and adaptability in an ever-changing healthcare landscape. Her leadership approach emphasizes collaboration and innovation, ensuring that Platte County Hospital continues to meet the evolving needs of its community. She is known for making strong connections with community partners. Throughout her time with Banner Health, Ms. Dugger has served in a variety of leadership roles at other Banner Health facilities, including as COO. Her extensive background in operations and human resources has equipped her with a comprehensive skill set to lead effectively in rural healthcare settings.
Karen Duncan, MD. President and CEO of JPS Health Network (Fort Worth, Texas). Dr. Duncan leads all clinical, operational and financial aspects of the JPS Health Network, which includes nearly 30 locations and serves over a quarter-million patients each year. As the health system moves forward with its planned clinical and physical plant upgrades, Dr. Duncan will take ownership of this next phase of the system’s growth. She previously served as the organization’s COO and is now the only female and minority healthcare CEO in Tarrant County, Texas.
Elizabeth E. Early. President at Loyola University Medical Center (Maywood, Ill.). Ms. Early was appointed president of Loyola University Medical Center in 2025, leading a 547-bed licensed hospital that is part of Maywood-based Loyola Medicine, a nationally ranked academic, quaternary care system. The medical center includes the William G. and Mary A. Ryan Center for Heart & Vascular Medicine, the Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, a level 1 trauma center, Illinois’s largest burn center, a certified comprehensive stroke center, a transplant center and a children’s hospital, and it has delivered care for more than 50 years. Since 2021, Ms. Early had served as president of Gottlieb Memorial Hospital in Melrose Park, Ill., where she increased surgical case volume, reduced falls and readmissions, and saw the skilled nursing unit named to U.S. News & World Report’s list of “Best Nursing Homes in Illinois” for three consecutive years. She joined Loyola Medicine in 2019 as regional vice president of professional and support services, managing operations for facilities, environmental services, food and nutrition, transportation and security, and she has retained regional responsibility for laboratory and imaging services. Ms. Early brings 25 years of leadership experience managing inpatient and ambulatory departments within academic medical centers, community hospitals and integrated health systems. Loyola University Medical Center earned its fourth Magnet recognition in 2024 and was named to Newsweek‘s 2026 list of the “World’s Best Hospitals,” ranking fifth in the state of Illinois.
Susan Ehrlich, MD. CEO of Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. Dr. Ehrlich brings a substantial body of knowledge in public health policy and finance to the role of hospital CEO. She is an expert at transforming public health care organizations, especially those serving diverse populations. Before joining Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, she held leadership positions with San Mateo (Calif.) Medical Center.
Claudia Eisenmann. President of Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Stephenville. Ms. Eisenmann serves as president of Texas Heath Harris Methodist Hospital Stephenville, joining the system in January 2023. In this role, she collaborates with the chief medical officer and CNO to plan, direct and coordinate the hospital’s clinical, service and operational activities. Additionally, she strives to advance physician engagement and to promote effective employee, governance and community relations. Ms. Eisenmann has more than 25 years of experience in leading hospitals and healthcare systems, having joined Texas Health from Deaconess Health System in Evansville, Ind., where she served as system vice president, as well as president and CEO of two Deaconess hospitals. She has also previously served as CEO of Wilbarger General Hospital in Vernon, Texas and as vice president and administrator for Christus St. Michael Rehabilitation Hospital in Texarkana, Texas.
Sherri Emerson, MSN, RN. President of Texas Health Heart & Vascular Hospital (Arlington). Ms. Emerson joined the Texas Health Resources team from Austin (Texas) Surgical Hospital, where she had served as CEO and CNO since 2003. In that position, she oversaw the renovation and opening of a new hospital and provided oversight for all nursing and non-nursing operations, led strategic business development activities and service line development. She began her career in healthcare at Port Saint Lucie (Fla.) Medical Center on an orthopedic floor. She quickly moved into the telemetry unit and cardiac cath recovery unit, then found her niche in nursing as a heart transplant and open heart recovery nurse. With a passion for teaching and precepting new nurses, she became the director of education for The Heart Hospital of Austin. In that role, she assisted Medcath in opening five heart hospitals across the country. She then moved into executive leadership, opening an orthopedic hospital for Ortho-Neuro corporation.
Stephanie Everett. CEO of Mountrail County Medical Center and Administrator of Mountrail Bethel Home (Stanley, N.D.). Ms. Everett uses her position as leader of a critical access hospital to provide services to the community, including primary care, emergency care, clinic services and more. She has been instrumental in supporting the financial stability, regulatory compliance and strategic vision for the health system. Ms. Everett is a founding member and board member of the Rough Rider High Value Network, an organization that represents a majority of critical access hospitals in North Dakota.
Deborah Feldman. President and CEO at Dayton (Ohio) Children’s Hospital. Ms. Feldman serves as president and CEO of Dayton Children’s Hospital, responsible for the overall leadership, strategy and performance of the organization, including all clinical, operational and administrative functions. Over the past 13 years, she has guided the hospital through extraordinary growth while approaching her work as a front-line leader, often rounding on units during evenings, weekends and holidays. During her tenure, the hospital more than tripled its revenue, increased its number of providers by more than 500% and completed two comprehensive strategic plans, “Destination 2020” and “Reinventing the Path to Children’s Health.” Ms. Feldman led the organization to earn Magnet designation, level 1 trauma certification and level 1 pediatric surgery verification, along with national recognition from U.S. News & World Report in three specialties. She oversaw more than $800 million in new and refreshed facilities and championed major investments to remove barriers to health, including Vermillion Place, a first-of-its-kind kinship housing community, and the Center for Community Health. Ms. Feldman previously served Montgomery County government for 30 years, with the last 16 as county administrator, where she helped establish the Community Health Centers of Greater Dayton (Ohio). She serves on the boards of the Children’s Hospital Association, Ohio Children’s Hospital Association and Ohio Hospital Association.
Cheryl Ficara, RN. President of Hartford (Conn.) Hospital and Hartford Region, and Senior Vice President at Hartford HealthCare. Ms. Ficara is president of Hartford Hospital, an 867-bed academic medical center and regional referral center that is Hartford HealthCare’s flagship acute-care facility. She’s also senior vice president of the broader Hartford HealthCare system, Connecticut’s most comprehensive healthcare network. She provides strategic leadership and culture-building for the health system’s Hartford Region, with a focus on safety, innovation, patient experience, access, affordability and health equity. Ms. Ficara is executive sponsor of “HHC 2035,” Hartford HealthCare’s $1 billion generational investment to transform care delivery at Hartford Hospital over the next 10 years, anchored by a new 14-story tower of more than 500,000 square feet that will include three floors of procedure space and 216 private inpatient beds. Earlier in her career she served as clinical care redesign executive leader, provided instrumental leadership navigating the Covid-19 pandemic and developed a nursing strategic plan shared systemwide before being promoted to president. She rose through the organization over decades, serving as senior vice president of operations for the Hartford region from 2020 to 2024 and as vice president of patient care services and CNO from 2011 to 2020. Under recognition during her tenure, Hartford Hospital earned the American Hospital Association’s 2025 “Quest for Quality Prize” and an “A” safety grade from Leapfrog nine consecutive times. The hospital was also named New England’s first and only comprehensive cardiac center by the Joint Commission and received a perfect score in cardiac surgery from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons three years in a row.
Soniya Fidler. President of UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center (Steamboat Springs, Colo.). As president of UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center, Ms. Fidler is responsible for the long and short-term strategic planning of the hospital, leading strategic, growth and operational objectives on a broad basis across hospital operations. She leverages her expertise and administrative knowledge to facilitate, measure, evaluate and interpret the needs of patients and performance of staff while directing activities accordingly. She has led several major projects for the hospital, including a partnership with Steamboat Orthopaedic & Spine Institute to create Steamboat Surgery Center, an ambulatory surgery center, and Steamboat Resort to open urgent care at the base of the ski mountain. More recently, Ms. Fidler led YVMC to become the first location that’s part of Aurora, Colo.-based UCHealth to offer long-term employee housing through Creek’s End, a 42-unit residential development.
Jodi Fincher, BSN, RN. CEO for St. Joseph Medical Center, Prime Healthcare (Kansas City, Mo.). As CEO of St. Joseph Medical Center, a 310-bed acute care metropolitan hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, Ms. Fincher leads a team of more than 1,000 staff, physicians and volunteers. She provides hands-on leadership to ensure all programs and services attain the highest quality outcomes in a cost-effective manner. As healthcare has changed rapidly post pandemic, Ms. Fincher has responded equally as rapidly to assure that St. Joseph remains financially strong and sustainable moving forward by being equally involved in revenue cycle enhancement and efficient clinical processes. In her seven years at St. Joseph Medical Center, Ms. Fincher’s strategic vision has improved patient experience, expanded service lines and enhanced physician engagement. Under her direction, Prime Healthcare has supported the investment of over $40 million in capital improvements, which include updated clinical support systems from orthopedic and spine navigation systems to new beds and call light systems, as well as the building and opening of a 20-bed senior behavioral health unit.
Casey Fleckenstein. CEO at Monroe County Hospital (Forsyth, Ga.). Ms. Fleckenstein oversees day-to-day operations of Monroe County Hospital, a 25-bed critical access hospital, where she has worked for more than 20 years in nursing, clinical and administrative roles. She began her nursing career at the hospital in 2001 and previously served as hospital administrator, CNO and emergency management coordinator before becoming CEO. In 2025, she led the hospital to complete the “Kids Alliance for Better Care” pediatric readiness requirements, a collaboration involving Mercer University School of Medicine, Mercer’s Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. That year, the hospital also completed a soft reopening of its operating room, taking on cardiac procedures ahead of a planned full reopening in 2026. In 2024, Ms. Fleckenstein grew the hospital’s swing bed program and added specialty care to its medical office suites to improve local access. Monroe County Hospital was named 2025 “Hospital of the Year” by Hometown Health.
Alison Flynn Gaffney. CEO of Banner–University Medicine (Tucson, Ariz.). Ms. Flynn Gaffney oversees operations for Banner Health’s academic arm in southern Arizona, with 8,000 team members across level 1 and level 3 trauma centers and a level 2 pediatric trauma center, a children’s medical center, a comprehensive cancer center, an Alzheimer’s institute and outpatient sites, collectively seeing 1,046,615 patient encounters in 2025. The 649- and 245-bed hospitals are training sites for nearly 500 University of Arizona College of Medicine–Tucson medical students and 750 residents and fellows. Recently, they reached a major milestone celebration of 10 years of partnership between Phoenix-based Banner Health and the University of Arizona, delivering exceptional care to patients, educating future health professionals, and advancing medicine through pioneering research. Ms. Flynn Gaffney’s focus on excellence and organizational culture has resulted in the hospitals and services receiving numerous accolades, with team feedback regarding workplace health and wellness achieving a double-digit increase this past year. Banner–University Medicine Tucson is the official trusted healthcare partner of Arizona Athletics, and is expanding patient access, investing in infrastructure, and partnering with the University of Arizona and the community to strengthen healthcare delivery across southern Arizona. Ms. Flynn Gaffney is the 2026 chair of the Chamber of Southern Arizona and was named a 2026 “Woman Visionary” by Tucson Lifestyle. She is one of a handful of healthcare executives to receive American College of Healthcare Executives’ “Senior Level Healthcare Award” in two states.
Daveth Forbes-Thomas, MSN, RN. CEO at NYC Health + Hospitals/McKinney (Brooklyn, N.Y.). Ms. Forbes-Thomas is CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/McKinney, New York City’s only nursing home to receive 5-star ratings across all four CMS metrics, including quality measures, staffing, health inspections and overall rating. She entered the role after nearly six years at McKinney, most recently as deputy executive director and previously as director of quality management and patient experience officer. During her tenure, Ms. Forbes-Thomas developed a formal environment of care and life safety program to support the comfort and safety of residents, their representatives, visitors and staff. She also built a robust quality assurance performance improvement program.
Susan Fox. President and CEO at White Plains (N.Y.) Hospital. Ms. Fox serves as president and CEO of White Plains Hospital and regional senior vice president for the Hudson Valley for the Bronx, N.Y.-based Montefiore Einstein, responsible for the hospital’s strategic, operational and financial performance across a workforce of more than 6,000 employees and a growing network of 31 outpatient care locations. Since rising from senior vice president of administration to CEO in 2015, she has overseen extraordinary growth, with operating revenue quadrupling, inpatient discharges growing 80% and surgical volume more than tripling. She is spearheading the hospital’s largest expansion to date, a nearly 500,000-square-foot, 10-story addition opening in 2028 that will nearly double the hospital’s size, add 240 single-bedded inpatient rooms and double the size of its emergency department, which is Westchester’s busiest with nearly 90,000 visits annually. Additions within the last five years include a cardiac surgery program, a structural heart program and certification as a comprehensive stroke center by the Joint Commission. Under her direction, the hospital has earned four consecutive 5-star quality ratings from CMS and multiple Great Place to Work certifications. Ms. Fox began her career as a pediatric intensive care nurse and was appointed to the board of commissioners of the Joint Commission in January 2023.
Katie Galbraith. Rosenberg Family President at New England Baptist Hospital (Boston). Ms. Galbraith serves as the Rosenberg Family President of New England Baptist Hospital, part of Cambridge, Mass.-based Beth Israel Lahey Health and the premier regional provider for orthopedic surgery and the treatment of musculoskeletal diseases and disorders. She provides executive leadership for the hospital’s clinical, operational and administrative functions, ensuring safe, high-quality care alongside strong financial performance, and brings more than 30 years of healthcare leadership experience. In her first eight months as president, she strengthened the hospital’s position as the hub for musculoskeletal care in metro Boston by recruiting additional orthopedic surgeons and physiatry specialists and shifting appropriate musculoskeletal cases from Boston’s Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. She launched quarterly staff town halls, expanded senior leader rounding and initiated the hospital’s first annual trustees, administrators and physicians retreat to deepen alignment around strategy and shared purpose. Under her leadership, the hospital increased first-case on-time starts from below 20% to approximately 80%, advancing efficiency, clinician engagement and the patient experience. The hospital has earned a CMS 5-star overall quality rating from 2023 to 2025, recognition as a U.S. News & World Report “Top Hospital in Massachusetts” from 2023 to 2026, and Magnet redesignation for nursing excellence in 2024. Ms. Galbraith previously served as president of Main Line Health Lankenau Medical Center in Wynnewood, Pa. and spent 26 years at Durham, N.C.-based Duke University Health System, including nine years as president of Duke Regional Hospital.
Laura Gamble. CEO at Pender (Neb.) Community Hospital. Ms. Gamble leads the strategic direction and operations of the Pender Community Hospital District, which includes the hospital, four rural health clinics, three pharmacies, Prairie Breeze Assisted Living and Little Sprouts Child Development Center. Under her guidance, the hospital earned a 5-star rating from the National Rural Rating System in 2024 and 2025, the 2025 “Outstanding Rural Health Achievement Award” from the Nebraska Rural Health Association and the Chartis Center for Rural Health 2025 “Performance Leadership Award” for quality. It has also been named a Chartis “Top 100 Critical Access Hospital” for multiple years. In June 2025, she guided Pender into an affiliation with Bryan Health in in Lincoln, Neb., which preserves local decision-making while adding operational support, leadership guidance and expanded staff training. In May 2025, she launched a partnership with Pioneer Ambulance to streamline patient transfers and ease the burden on local emergency medical services teams. She directed a strategic plan focused on workforce development, financial sustainability with targeted operating margin growth, service enhancement, thoughtful growth and quality improvement. Ms. Gamble also helped secure a $35,000 grant from the 2023 Cattlemen’s Ball of Nebraska for health and wellness initiatives. She was named a 2026 American Hospital Association “Most Valuable PAC Player” after achieving 275% of the hospital’s political action committee goal, which was the highest percentage among critical access hospitals in Nebraska. She currently serves on the services board of the Nebraska Hospital Association.
Roxanna Gapstur, PhD, RN. President and CEO at WellSpan Health (York, Pa.). Ms. Gapstur serves as president and CEO of WellSpan Health, a $4.7 billion integrated health system with 23,000 team members serving 1.2 million patients. With more than 25 years of healthcare leadership experience, she is accountable for overall system performance, including clinical quality and safety, financial stewardship, strategy execution and innovation governance. Ms. Gapstur positioned WellSpan among the industry’s earliest health systems to deploy large language model-powered tools at scale, including “Ana,” an AI care assistant that has facilitated more than 2 million secure, multilingual patient conversations while improving preventive screening and reclaiming thousands of workforce hours. She has advanced systemwide transformation across care delivery, including virtual care and hospital-at-home programs, and led the system through the Covid-19 pandemic by structuring her leadership team into parallel units focused on urgent response and strategic continuity. She was named a 2025 “Distinguished Daughter of Pennsylvania.” Ms. Gapstur previously served as president of Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital in Saint Louis Park, Minn. and CNO of Bloomington, Minn.-based Park Nicollet Health Services. She chairs the board of directors of The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania for the 2025-2026 term.
Charlotte Gardiner, DNP, RN. President of Mercy Health St. Joseph Warren (Ohio) Hospital. Dr. Gardiner has served as president of Mercy Health St. Joseph Warren Hospital since 2022, leading a 200-bed acute care hospital that provides level 3 trauma center services, a level 2 adult cardiac catheterization program, level 2 obstetrical services and Commission on Cancer-accredited cancer care. The hospital is fully accredited by the Joint Commission and has achieved five-time Magnet designation status. Since joining the Cincinnati-based Mercy Health system in 2018, Ms. Gardiner has led efforts focused on strategy deployment, growth, innovation and operational excellence while building upon the legacy of the Sisters of the Humility of Mary. She has improved clinical and business performance that preserves and expands access to care, spearheading programs focused on clinical expansion, new program development, quality and safety, and associate recruitment, engagement and retention. Recognized as a transformational leader, she earned a 2025 “Athena Leadership Award” nomination and was selected for Leadership Mahoning Valley’s class of 2025. Ms. Gardiner was inducted into the Lorain County Community College Commodore Hall of Fame in June 2024 as part of its inaugural class. She previously served as president of Mercy Health Allen Hospital in Oberlin, Ohio, and as COO and CNO of Mercy Health Lorain (Ohio).
Lauren A. Geddes Wirth, MD. CEO and President of New London Hospital (Lebanon, N.H). Dr. Geddes Wirth has led transformative improvements in rural healthcare delivery by expanding breast care, infusion and mobile health programs to reach underserved communities in New Hampshire. Under her leadership, the hospital’s emergency department achieved patient satisfaction scores in the top 1% nationally. A former pediatrician and chief medical officer, Dr. Geddes Wirth brings clinical insight and a commitment to equity, including establishing an equity, inclusion and belonging leadership role. She was honored with the Boston-based Mass General Brigham “Pillars of Excellence” award in 2023 and was the NH 200 “NH’s Top 200 Influential Business Leaders” winner for 2025.
Megan Gillespie, DNP, RN. CEO at Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento (Calif.). Ms. Gillespie is a healthcare leader with more than 20 years of experience spanning clinical care, hospital operations and executive leadership. Her leadership of Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento builds upon the hospital’s strong record of national recognition for clinical excellence and access. Most recently, Sutter Medical Center earned multiple national distinctions from Healthgrades, including ranking No. 4 in California for gastrointestinal surgery and recognition as one of “America’s 100 Best Hospitals” for multiple specialty areas. Ms. Gillespie also continues to strengthen the longstanding commitment to patient safety, which earned the hospital an “A” hospital safety grade from The Leapfrog Group last year. She is overseeing a $100 million investment in Sutter Medical Center to transform 43,320 square feet of space into a 12-bed intensive care unit and 30 medical-surgical rooms for adult patients, expected to open later this year.
Tina Gillespie. CEO at Harrison County Community Hospital (Bethany, Mo.). Ms. Gillespie leads Harrison County Community Hospital, bringing more than 20 years of experience in rural health leadership to the northwest Missouri communities it serves. Her largest endeavor is the construction of a new 73,000-square-foot facility to replace the nearly 70-year-old existing hospital, designed with future expansion in mind, with enhancements including private inpatient rooms, an in-house MRI, increased outpatient surgery capacity, additional specialty clinic areas and critical infusion services. In 2025, the hospital opened a rural health clinic in Pattonsburg, Mo., to expand access. Its patient and family advisory council has driven improvements such as renovated waiting rooms, streamlined discharge paperwork, expanded community health fairs and better registration accessibility, while also supporting a telehealth grant, serving as infection-control “secret shoppers” and providing feedback for programs including a children’s autism program and a new stroke support group. The hospital received the 2024 “Compass Honor” from the Missouri Hospital Association and was recognized in 2023 as a “Top 100 Critical Access Hospital” by Chartis. Ms. Gillespie previously served as COO and CFO at the hospital. She now serves as treasurer of the Missouri Hospital Association board of trustees.
Carol Gomes. CEO and COO of Stony Brook (N.Y.) University Hospital. Ms. Gomes has revitalized Stony Brook University Hospital, molding it into a national leader in sustainability, clinical quality and infrastructure innovation. In her role, she oversees more than 8,000 employees across four hospitals. She led the construction of a 150-bed children’s tower and launched new ICUs, cancer centers and a hospice program, while also creating a centralized throughput office that dramatically reduced emergency department wait times and length of stay. Her tenure has resulted in five successful Joint Commission surveys, a Leapfrog “A” grade, and three consecutive years among Healthgrades’ “Top 50 U.S. Hospitals”. Ms. Gomes’ environmental leadership earned Stony Brook the 2024 Vizient “Sustainability Award” and the Greenhealth “Emerald Award”, with additional accolades recognizing her commitment to equity, quality and more. She has received numerous individual honors, including the 2024 Power Women of Long Island “Icon Award” and the New York State Senate “Woman of Distinction Award”.
Angel Gradney. Market CEO for ScionHealth Hospitals of Houston. With more than 30 years in healthcare, Ms. Gradney serves as market CEO for ScionHealth’s five specialty hospitals in Houston, a position she has held since 2023. There, she oversees operations, strategic planning, quality management and physician recruitment. Ms. Gradney has led Kindred Hospital Clear Lake in Webster, Texas to receive the system’s internal “platinum award” for clinical quality in 2023 and 2024, marking the first time a specialty hospital earned the award for multiple consecutive years. Her leadership during the pandemic was instrumental in establishing the first Covid-19 unit in a long-term acute care hospital at Kindred Hospital Clear Lake. She has expanded service lines across her hospitals, including advanced wound care, pulmonary rehab and surgical services, while also launching an acute rehabilitation unit. Ms. Gradney is regarded as a key figure in strengthening partnerships with referral sources and payers, educating them on the benefits of long-term acute care hospitals in improving patient outcomes. Ms. Gradney is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Kaye Green. CEO at Roosevelt General Hospital (Portales, N.M.). Ms. Green leads Roosevelt General Hospital, a safety-net hospital serving Roosevelt County with a 24/7 physician-staffed emergency room, full inpatient and outpatient services, general surgery and a range of diagnostic and therapeutic offerings. A seasoned executive with 20 years in leadership and more than 35 years in healthcare overall, she has prioritized fiscal responsibility by optimizing processes, seeking new revenue streams and collaborating with the New Mexico Hospital Association and the New Mexico Rural Health Network to secure funding. She implemented a cloud-hosted subscription model for the hospital’s EHR, reducing on-site equipment and IT costs while supporting remote staff and aiding retention. The hospital has posted a seven-percentage-point increase in its payment-to-charge ratio since 2022, driven by improvements in revenue cycle management, and automation has eliminated manual check processing to save the department more than 20 hours of staff time weekly. She is a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt who serves a second term on the New Mexico Hospital Association board of directors and chairs its quality committee. In 2025, Ms. Green and the hospital earned recognitions like PRC’s “Outstanding Culture” award.
Alicia Gresham. CEO of Pennsylvania Hospital (Philadelphia). In January 2024, Ms. Gresham became CEO of Pennsylvania Hospital, the nation’s oldest hospital and a vital part of Penn Medicine, bringing with her nearly 30 years of healthcare leadership experience. At Pennsylvania Hospital, she oversees a Magnet-designated academic institution known for clinical excellence in cardiology, neurosciences, behavioral health and women’s health. Ms. Gresham brings strong financial acumen, systems integration expertise and a passion for community health to her role. She previously served as senior vice president and COO of network operations at New York City-based Mount Sinai Health System, where she expanded ambulatory services across multiple states and led initiatives to improve access, unify systems and increase revenue. Earlier in her career, Ms. Gresham held operational leadership roles at Penn Medicine and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Laura Grill. President and CEO at East Alabama Health (Opelika). Ms. Grill serves as president and CEO of East Alabama Health, which encompasses East Alabama Medical Center, East Alabama Medical Center North, EAMC-Lanier Rural Emergency Hospital, the Auburn Medical Pavilion and numerous health services across the east Alabama region. The organization has more than 4,100 employees and about 380 physicians. In 2022, Ms. Grill oversaw development of the Auburn Medical Pavilion, a complex housing a freestanding emergency department, breast health center, diagnostic imaging services, outpatient lab services and a joint-venture ambulatory surgery center. In 2026, a new 40-bed freestanding psychiatric hospital was completed, along with an ICU expansion at East Alabama Medical Center that added 30 critical care beds. She serves as a board member for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind Foundation, AmeriFirst Bank and other organizations, and in 2024 was appointed to the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences board of trustees. East Alabama Medical Center was recognized on Newsweek’s 2025 list of “America’s Best-In-State Hospitals.” Ms. Grill joined the organization in 1992 as director of cardiology, served as executive vice president, and became president and CEO in 2018.
Jeannine Erickson Grinnell. CEO and CFO of UW Medicine Valley Medical Center (Renton, Wash.). In 2021, Ms. Grinnell became the first new CEO of Valley Medical Center in 37 years, and the first female CEO the hospital has ever had. Her career began in finance and her role as Valley Medical Center’s director of finance, and then CFO, led her to the operations side of healthcare administration. Her 20-plus years with Valley prepared her well for the executive leadership role.
Diane Hansen. President and CEO of Palomar Health (Escondido, Calif.). Ms. Hansen brings 20 years of deep experience in the healthcare industry to her position as president and CEO of Palomar Health. Her leadership led Palomar Health’s anchor hospital, Palomar Medical Center Escondido, to be named “Best Regional Hospital” by U.S. News & World Report in 2021. Before assuming her current role, Ms. Hansen was executive vice president of finance and CFO for Palomar Health, a position that tasked her with capital formation, financial and real estate management, budgeting, treasury and contracting.
Amy Hart. CEO at Cuyuna Regional Medical Center (Crosby, Minn.). Ms. Hart serves as CEO of Cuyuna Regional Medical Center, a leading critical access hospital nationally recognized for innovation in high-acuity surgical, orthopaedic and medical patient care. THe hospital generates more than $190 million in annual net revenue and employs more than 1,000 staff members. Under her leadership, she led the development and execution of $100 million in construction projects, including a 100,000-plus-square-foot surgical and clinical facility and two off-site facilities totaling 30,000 square feet, all completed on time and under budget. She introduced more than 10 specialty service lines, establishing a robotic center of excellence and the joint preservation program, and her process improvements in joint replacement reduced length of stay from 2.1 days to 17 hours while minimizing narcotic use through the rapid recovery method. Her strategic growth across specialties including spine, interventional pain, urology, weight loss, behavioral health and pulmonology resulted in a 40% revenue increase from 2013 to 2020. During Covid-19, she spearheaded the “resumption of surgery” committee, achieving 90% of pre-pandemic surgical volumes within six weeks, and during her tenure employee engagement grew more than 50 percentage points. The medical center earned Newsweek‘s 2023 “World’s Best Hospitals” and the 2025 “Best Hospitals in the Nation” recognitions. Ms. Hart, who is leading multiple 2026 projects, including a new primary care clinic in Nisswa, Minn., previously served as the medical center’s COO from 2013 to 2021.
Betsy Hart. President of Glendale (Calif.) Memorial Hospital and Health Center. Ms. Hart serves as president of Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center, where she sets the strategic vision, oversees financial stewardship, and works to maintain patient safety and clinical excellence across the institution. She collaborates closely with the board, medical staff and leadership teams to identify opportunities for growth and to develop new services that meet the evolving needs of Glendale’s diverse population. Ms. Hart serves a two-year term as chairperson for the American Heart Association’s “Go Red for Women” in Los Angeles, championing awareness and advocacy for women’s heart health. She also sits on the boards of the American Heart Association and the Glendale Education Foundation, where she serves as secretary. Before joining Glendale Memorial, she was COO of Northridge (Calif.) Hospital Medical Center from 2019 to 2024, where she led operational responses during the Covid-19 pandemic and guided multiple construction projects, including an emergency department expansion and seismic master planning. She earlier served as CNO at Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Burbank, Calif. Under Ms. Hart’s leadership, Glendale Memorial earned a Leapfrog “A” grade in spring 2026, a Healthgrades 5-star rating for cardiac specialty, and recognition as a high-performing hospital for heart attack, heart failure and kidney failure for 2024-2025 by U.S. News & World Report.
Kimberly Hartz. CEO of Washington Health (Fremont, Calif.). Ms. Hartz has led Washington Health with strategic vision, operational discipline and community-centered leadership, guiding the organization through pandemic recovery and into a period of sustained growth. Her leadership allowed the launch of new service lines, including cardiac surgery, neuro-interventional radiology, robotic-assisted surgery and the Watchman program, all contributing to volume growth and a positive $17.1 million in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. She oversaw the organization’s advancement to level 2 trauma center status, the expansion of the UCSF-Washington Cancer Center in Fremont, Calif., and plans for major infrastructure projects like a new birthing tower and outpatient facility. Ms. Hartz spearheaded a complete rebranding in 2025, informed by community feedback and stakeholder input, to reflect a renewed mission and vision. Her focus has led Washington Health towards peak fiscal stewardship, service line expansion and patient-centered design. Washington Health has earned national recognition, including multiple Healthgrades awards and Joint Commission certifications reinforcing its reputation for excellence in surgical and orthopedic care.
Jena Hausmann. President and CEO at Children’s Hospital Colorado (Aurora). As president and CEO of Children’s Hospital Colorado, Ms. Hausmann sets the vision, strategy and culture of one of the nation’s leading pediatric health systems, leading more than 11,000 team members across 15 locations. Under her leadership, Children’s Colorado serves more than 300,000 unique children every year and is consistently ranked among the top 10 pediatric hospital systems in the country, including on the U.S. News & World Report 2024-25 honor roll, which named it the No. 1 hospital in the Rocky Mountain region. She championed the launch of the hospital’s Precision Medicine Institute, tripling genomic sequencing capacity and opening a whole-genome sequencing lab, and in heart surgery the hospital reports a 91% survival rate for the most complex STAT5 procedures, exceeding the national benchmark of 85%. A vocal advocate for pediatric mental health, Ms. Hausmann declared a youth mental health state of emergency in 2021, and the hospital has since driven a 23% reduction in psychiatric inpatient length of stay since 2020. She is the architect of a five-year organizational strategic plan that accelerates innovation, improves outcomes and expands services. Before being named president and CEO, Ms. Hausmann served as senior vice president and COO, and earlier as vice president of strategic planning and system of care operations at Children’s Colorado.
Lisa Hausmann. President of Dignity Health Mercy Hospital of Folsom (Calif.). Ms. Hausmann leads Mercy Hospital of Folsom, the only acute care hospital in one of the fastest-growing communities in Northern California, overseeing hospital operations, strategic growth and physician partnerships. A nurse by background, she focuses on expanding access to services, advancing surgical capabilities, improving patient flow, and strengthening programs that support both acute and preventive care. She has driven meaningful growth by expanding access and strengthening critical service lines, including colorectal and surgical services, to meet the needs of a rapidly growing community. Ms. Hausmann serves as executive sponsor of a 90,000-square-foot advanced ambulatory expansion that will bring much-needed services closer to home, improving access, convenience and continuity of care. She also prioritizes community connection and philanthropy, stewarding relationships that make many of the hospital’s programs and expansions possible. Ms. Hausmann previously served as Mercy Hospital of Folsom’s CNO and COO, and she has been recognized as a Sacramento Business Journal “40 Under 40” honoree and a “Most Admired CEO.”
Kathy Healy-Collier, DHA. President and CEO of Mercy Health Anderson Hospital (Cincinnati). Dr. Healy-Collier has elevated Mercy Health Anderson Hospital through a strategic blend of operational acumen, compassionate leadership and a powerful commitment to community health. Overseeing not only Anderson Hospital but also systemwide service lines in perioperative care and women’s health, she has driven substantial improvements in patient experience and employee engagement across the Cincinnati market. Her leadership has ushered in cultural transformation that enhanced satisfaction for both patients and associates, earning the hospital a Best Place to Work designation and patient experience accolades. She is a visible presence in the community, actively engaging with local organizations and advocating for expanded care access. Her portfolio of past roles, ranging from market president to COO of multiple health systems, reflects a career defined by innovation, service line growth and mission-driven care.
Katherine Heilpern, MD. President of Yale New Haven (Conn.) Hospital. As president of Yale New Haven Hospital, Dr. Heilpern leads a 1,541-bed, two-campus academic medical center and the flagship hospital of Yale New Haven Health. Since joining, she has enhanced workforce communication through initiatives like a video newsletter and the “Coffees with Kate” program to foster transparency and culture improvement. She played a key role in restructuring the hospital’s operating model by centralizing inpatient operations and recruiting new nursing leadership, which has helped reduce patient length of stay and improve outcomes. Yale New Haven Hospital consistently ranks among the nation’s top hospitals, recognized in 11 specialties and as the state’s number one hospital by U.S. News & World Report. Dr. Heilpern also serves as executive vice president of Yale New Haven Health. She has a distinguished career background in both emergency medicine and academic leadership.
Martha Henley. CEO at Unity Medical Center (Manchester, Tenn.). Ms. Henley serves as CEO of Unity Medical Center, where she is responsible for the overall strategic, operational, financial and clinical performance of a rural community hospital serving a medically underserved population. She provides executive leadership across all hospital functions, including finance, quality and patient safety, compliance, workforce strategy and physician alignment, while overseeing budgeting, capital planning and performance improvement efforts essential to long-term rural hospital viability. Ms. Henley serves as the primary executive liaison to the hospital’s governing board, regulators, community leaders and regional healthcare partners, leading strategic planning focused on access preservation and service expansion. Under her leadership, the hospital has strengthened its operational and financial foundation by stabilizing core services, improving governance practices and making strategic investments in key service lines so patients can access essential care close to home. She also contributes to statewide and national discussions on rural hospital sustainability, reimbursement and access. Ms. Henley additionally serves as COO of Java Medical Group. During her tenure, Unity Medical Center has earned a Chartis Center for Rural Health “Top 100 Rural & Community Hospital” designation, a 5-star CMS overall hospital quality star rating and an “Outstanding Patient Experience Award” from Healthgrades.
Lily Henson, MD. CEO of Piedmont Augusta (Ga.) Hospital and Piedmont’s Augusta Clinical Hub. Dr. Henson oversees care and operations for three acute care hospitals, a rehabilitation hospital and eight immediate care clinics across the Central Savannah River Area, which spans eastern Georgia and South Carolina. She became CEO in January 2023 and successfully guided the hospitals through Hurricane Helene’s disruptions in 2024 by coordinating resources with federal and local agencies, maintaining patient care amid infrastructure failures. A neurologist by training, Dr. Henson has been a strong advocate for healthcare worker safety, raising awareness of increasing workplace violence during the Covid-19 pandemic and implementing enhanced security measures. She serves as treasurer of the American Academy of Neurology and as a board member of the American College of Healthcare Executives of Georgia. Dr. Henson previously served as CEO and CMO of Piedmont Henry Hospital in Stockbridge, Ga.
Monica Hum, MD. CEO at Piedmont Rockdale (Conyers, Ga.). Dr. Hum leads Piedmont Rockdale, the only acute-care facility in Rockdale County, Ga., overseeing the 161-bed hospital and affiliated outpatient services, which include 24-hour emergency services, interventional cardiology, obstetrics and a level 3 neonatal ICU. Strategically focused on broadening clinical capabilities, she recruited subspecialized providers including neurologists, cardiac electrophysiologists and vascular, colorectal, thoracic and breast surgeons, and Piedmont Rockdale became a designated primary stroke center. In 2024, Dr. Hum oversaw the opening of a $1.8 million infusion center and championed the acquisition of advanced technologies, including a new MRI system, an ION robotic-assisted bronchoscopy platform and a new CT scanner. Piedmont Rockdale finished fiscal year 2024 as the top performer within the overarching Atlanta-based Piedmont Healthcare system. In 2025, the hospital achieved a catheter-associated urinary tract infection rate of zero, one of only 514 hospitals nationwide to do so according to data from CMS. She also serves as medical advisor to the Piedmont Healthcare supply chain, bringing a surgeon’s perspective to medical device standards and procurement. Atlanta Magazine has included Dr. Hum in its “Atlanta 500” each year since 2019, and in 2024 she was named “Health Care Executive of the Year” by the Atlanta Business Chronicle and received the Georgia Association of Community Hospitals’ “Outstanding Woman in Healthcare Award.”
Sarah Hunter. President at Gottlieb Memorial Hospital (Melrose Park, Ill.). Ms. Hunter is president of Gottlieb Memorial Hospital, part of Maywood, Ill.-based Loyola Medicine, a nationally ranked academic, quaternary care system. Gottlieb Memorial is a 235-licensed-bed community hospital that includes the Judd A. Weinberg Emergency Department, the Loyola Center for Metabolic Surgery and Bariatric Care, Loyola Cancer Care & Research at the Marjorie G. Weinberg Cancer Center, acute rehabilitation, a transitional care center, a childcare center and a fitness center. A transformational executive with a deep history at Loyola Medicine, Ms. Hunter held progressive leadership roles at the system’s MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn, Ill. from 2012 to 2019, beginning as an administrative fellow and advancing to director of business operations. She then served as director of hospital operations at Gottlieb Memorial from 2019 to 2021, where she oversaw procedural, ancillary and community-based departments, played a pivotal role in Covid-19 response and helped launch key health equity initiatives. Most recently, she served as COO at Northwest Health in Valparaiso, Ind., where she led significant growth in procedural volume and introduced new service lines. Ms. Hunter rejoined Gottlieb Memorial in September 2025, and that same year the hospital earned its first Magnet designation for nursing care, and its hip and knee replacement program was recognized as a Blue Distinction Center+ by Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Lisa Iachetti, BSN, RN. President and Chief Hospital Executive at Hackensack Meridian Palisades Medical Center (North Bergen, N.J.). Ms. Iachetti leads Hackensack Meridian Palisades Medical Center, advancing strategic initiatives to improve healthcare delivery, drawing on more than four decades in emergency department nursing and leadership. She began at Hackensack (N.J.) University Medical Center in 1994 as an emergency room nurse and held roles including vice president of operations, administrator of clinical services for growth and development, and senior director of strategy and market development. She helped create the Air Medical Division and assisted in guiding Hackensack University Medical Center to designation as a level 1 trauma center. After she joined Palisades Medical Center, she led the hospital through the opening of a newly redesigned emergency department featuring two triage rooms, eight private treatment rooms and 15 flexible treatment spaces arranged in “flower pods,” the first of their kind in the state, as the first phase of a $50 million investment in emergency services. She championed the integration of robotic surgery, enabling minimally invasive procedures with greater precision and faster recovery. Her community work includes collaboration with Hudson County government to address barriers to care for people who are unhoused and an adopt-a-school program with the John F. Kennedy School in North Bergen. In 2025, Ms. Iachetti was honored with the “Person of the Year” award by the Fort Lee Chamber of Commerce.
Candace Ifabiyi. CEO of VA St. Louis Healthcare System (St. Louis). Ms. Ifabiyi was appointed as the CEO and director of the St. Louis Healthcare System, in 2023. In this role, Ms. Ifabiyi oversees a Joint Commission-accredited organization with two campuses, the John Cochran hospital in St. Louis and Jefferson Barracks Hospital in South St. Louis County. The VA St. Louis Healthcare System is a 337-bed hospital and includes 8 community-based outpatient clinics with an $880 million budget and more than 3,500 employees. In 2022, Wichita’s Dole VA Medical Center received the prestigious Pathway to Excellence designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Ms. Ifabiyi is also a recipient of the 2023 University of Memphis “Distinguished Young Alumni” award for her community service efforts.
Donna Isgett, MSN. President and CEO at McLeod Health (Florence, S.C.). Ms. Isgett serves as president and CEO of McLeod Health, a role she assumed in March 2021 after being promoted from COO. She joined McLeod Health in 1997 and, as COO, was responsible for oversight of administrators at the system’s seven hospitals. She spent the majority of her clinical career as an emergency flight nurse. Earlier at McLeod, Ms. Isgett served as senior vice president of corporate quality, helping the system earn a national reputation for quality of care, and oversaw McLeod Physician Associates. She serves on the South Carolina Hospital Association board and also sits on the board of trustees of Coker University in Hartsville, S.C. She co-chaired the 2005 Institute for Healthcare Improvement Forum. Ms. Isgett’s honors include the “Milliken Medal of Quality” from the South Carolina Quality National Forum and the “Lewis Blackman Patient Safety Award” from the South Carolina Hospital Association, and she was a 2011 Liberty Fellow at the Aspen Global Institute.
Alice Issai. President at Adventist Health Southern California Network (Roseville, Calif.). Ms. Issai was appointed as president of Adventist Health’s Southern California network in 2026, a role that entails the oversight of four hospitals. Prior, she was the first woman to serve as president of Adventist Glendale. She took on that role in 2018, growing the medical center into a true tertiary center, creating a hub for “destination medicine” with world-class services in oncology, cardiovascular medicine, neurosciences, orthopedics and more. She also oversaw expanded access to care for the hospital’s core service lines, including its comprehensive cancer services. She is dedicated to innovation and the transformation of community health, a mindset she carried into her new role as she continues to grow medical services throughout the network.
Shubhada Jagasia, MD. President and CEO of Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital, Midtown and West Campuses (Nashville, Tenn.). Dr. Jagasia brings 30 years of clinical and healthcare administration experience to the role and is responsible for the midtown and west campus facilities, which house 879 beds and produce over $4.1 billion in revenue. She is managing the expansion of the heart transplant, neuroscience and critical care programs on the West campus, as well as a $300 million reconstruction of the Midtown campus. Her other role as a practicing endocrinologist gives her a unique insight into the needs of caregivers and informs her passion for improving patient access, forming new models of healthcare delivery, and building clinical programs with physicians.
Lori James-Nielsen, RN. CEO of Hillsboro (Ore.) Medical Center. As CEO of Hillsboro Medical Center, Ms. James-Nielsen has helped construct clinical integration models that help care providers improve value for patients. She brings over 25 years of clinical and leadership experience to her role. Most recently, she was the chief strategy officer for Salem (Ore.) Hospital and vice president of operations and integrations at OHSU Partners in Portland, Ore.
Allegra Jaros. President at Wolfson Children’s Hospital and Senior Vice President of Baptist Health (Jacksonville, Fla.). Ms. Jaros is accountable for the strategic and operational execution of Wolfson Children’s Hospital, the only full-service tertiary hospital for children in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia and one of only two American College of Surgeons-verified level 1 pediatric trauma centers in Florida. She is also responsible for the philanthropic advancement and advocacy of the nearly 70-year-old, 281-bed hospital, the largest provider of uncompensated and charity care in the region, and as a senior vice president of Baptist Health she is accountable for systemwide strategy execution. Under her leadership in 2025, Wolfson Children’s achieved Leapfrog recognition as a top-quality children’s hospital and was recognized among the “50 Best Children’s Hospitals” in the nation in four specialties by U.S. News & World Report, including pediatric cancer and pediatric and adolescent behavioral health. In 2025, Wolfson Children’s became the first-ever official children’s hospital of the Jacksonville Jaguars. In 2024, the hospital opened a new 20-bed pediatric inpatient behavioral health unit, and Ms. Jaros helped raise the $8.9 million investment in pediatric behavioral health while securing an additional $7 million to offset the Medicaid reimbursement gap. She previously served as president of John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital and system vice president for Kaleida Health in Buffalo, N.Y.
Amy Jerdee. President and CEO at St. Francis Regional Medical Center (Shakopee, Minn.). Ms. Jerdee has served as president and CEO of St. Francis Regional Medical Center since June 2019, overseeing all aspects of hospital operations, programs and services at the 100-bed nonprofit community hospital with more than 1,000 care team members. The medical center is jointly owned by Minneapolis-based Allina Health, Duluth, Minn.-based Essentia Health and Bloomington, Minn.-based HealthPartners Park Nicollet, and is sponsored by Duluth Benedictine Ministries. Ms. Jerdee is known for her expertise in managing complex stakeholder relationships within a matrixed joint venture. In 2021, she led the expansion of the St. Francis Cancer Clinic, and the opening of six new mental health crisis beds in the emergency department in 2022. In 2024, St. Francis constructed and opened a new 44,000-square-foot building providing ambulatory surgery access to Shakopee and neighboring communities, which also houses a TRIA Orthopedic Clinic, urgent care and an ambulatory surgery center. In 2025, she spearheaded a major renovation and expansion of the emergency department, including additional clinical exam rooms and an expanded ambulance bay capable of accommodating four ambulances. Ms. Jerdee, a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, has maintained a strong financial profile for the hospital while consistently delivering positive operating margins.
Candace Johnson, PhD. President and CEO of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (Buffalo, N.Y.). During Dr. Johnson’s tenure, the 128-year-old Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center has amassed numerous accolades and achievements, including coveted “exceptional” rating from National Cancer Institute, Magnet designation, several “Best Places to Work” recognitions and quality accreditation across numerous areas of clinical care. The first woman to lead Roswell Park, Dr. Johnson applied insights from years as a cancer scientist in pharmacology and therapeutics as she steered the growth of programs in immunotherapy, transplant, cellular therapy and community outreach. Highlights of her recent years in leadership include the opening of the largest cell therapy facility of its kind with an expansion of the Roswell Park GMP Engineering & Cell Manufacturing Facility, the opening and planned expansion of the newly named Roswell Park Broadview Community Outreach and Engagement Center, the establishment of a Department of Indigenous Cancer Health and the launch of Roswell Park’s pioneering “Early Detection Driven to You” mobile cancer screening centers. Before being named CEO in 2015, Dr. Johnson served as Roswell Park’s deputy director and chaired the department of pharmacology and therapeutics, overseeing the translation of cancer research into innovative therapies. She has authored nearly 200 publications, served in leadership roles on numerous national committees and chaired NCI Frederick National Laboratory advisory committee since 2021. Recently she went to Washington, D.C., to accept Prevent Cancer Foundation’s prestigious “Carolyn ‘Bo’ Aldigé Visionary Award,” acknowledging Roswell Park’s extensive accomplishments in cancer prevention and early detection.
Michelle Joy. President and CEO of Carson Tahoe Health (Carson City, Nev.). Ms. Joy is responsible for leading a thriving independent community health system. The system consists of a 211-bed acute care hospital, 29-bed long term care hospital and a multispecialty provider group that serves 20 regional locations. She originally joined Tahoe Health in 2014 as COO. Since she took the helm of the health system, great strides have been made to strengthen the system’s culture of community, and recent employee engagement surveys have shown the best satisfaction ratings for executive leadership in over 10 years.
Laura S. Kaiser. President and CEO at SSM Health (St. Louis). Ms. Kaiser leads SSM Health, a Catholic, nonprofit, integrated health system serving communities across the Midwest. The system encompasses hospitals, physician offices, outpatient and virtual care services, senior care facilities, home care and hospice services, a pharmacy benefit company, a health insurance company and an accountable care organization, with more than 40,000 team members and more than 15,000 providers. Ms. Kaiser brings decades of experience in healthcare strategy, value-based care, and performance and growth, guiding the system through current industry challenges while focusing on making high-quality care more affordable, accessible and equitable. In the past year, SSM Health launched the “Aspiring Nurse” program, a partnership with Chamberlain University that advances the next generation of nurses through education, hands-on experience and employment opportunities. Construction is also underway on the new SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in St. Louis, anticipated for completion in 2027. Ms. Kaiser previously served as executive vice president and COO for Intermountain Health in Salt Lake City, and held senior leadership roles at St. Louis-based Ascension Health.
Shela Kaneshiro, RN. CEO at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center (Laguna Hills, Calif.). Ms. Kaneshiro became CEO of Saddleback Medical Center in 2025 following her role as Fountain Valley, Calif.-based MemorialCare’s clinical transformation officer. Previously, she was MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center’s vice president of patient care services and CNO, also in Fountain Valley. With career experience spanning over 30 years, she has expanded cardiothoracic surgery, added robotic capabilities and earned quality honors at Saddleback Medical Center. Selected as one of “America’s 250 Best Hospitals” for four consecutive years by Healthgrades, the medical center has also received a 10th “A” hospital safety grade from The Leapfrog Group. The medical center’s Women’s Health Pavilion is the county’s first location dedicated entirely to women’s health. Additional Healthgrades awards include “100 Best” in both gastrointestinal care, ranking top three in California, and gastrointestinal surgery, ranking top five in California. The hospital has also earned “Patient Safety Excellence” and “Critical Care Excellence” awards, 5-star national rankings for colorectal and gall bladder surgeries, hip fracture treatment, respiratory failure and treatment of heart attack, heart failure, stroke, diabetic emergencies, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, respiratory failure and other medical issues. It is currently listed as “high-performing” in 11 categories by U.S. News & World Report. Consistently honored by The Orange County Register readers as one of Orange County’s best hospitals, it is recognized for heart and vascular care, cancer treatment, joint replacement and women’s health. Ms. Kaneshiro was also named among Orange County Business Journal’s “OC50 Most Prominent Businesswomen” for leadership in healthcare transformation and advancement of patient care
Merry-Ann Keane. CEO at Ocean Beach Health (Ilwaco, Wash.). Ms. Keane serves as CEO of Ocean Beach Health, a 25-bed critical access hospital with four rural health clinics serving coastal Washington communities, where she leads all strategic, operational, clinical and financial functions. She led a comprehensive rebrand from Ocean Beach Hospital and Medical Clinics to Ocean Beach Health, reflecting an expanded, integrated approach to care delivery. Ms. Keane advanced multiple bond projects that had previously stalled, resulting in critical renovations to the hospital, laboratory and pharmacy, and led the development of a new express care facility that is expected to open by the end of 2026, adding six exam rooms. A cornerstone accomplishment has been the restoration of women’s and pediatric services in Pacific County through a new clinic that eliminated the need for lengthy travel for prenatal, pediatric and routine women’s healthcare. She has also expanded behavioral health services across four communities in the county. Ms. Keane serves as chair of the Washington State Hospital Association rural hospital committee and its rural hospital obstetrics subcommittee, advancing policy solutions to preserve rural obstetrical services. She previously served as CEO of Newport (Wash.) Hospital & Health Services.
Katrina Keefer. President and CEO at DCH Health System (Tuscaloosa, Ala.). Ms. Keefer is president and CEO of DCH Health System, a community-owned, nonprofit organization that includes DCH Regional Medical Center, Northport Medical Center, Fayette Medical Center and various outpatient clinics. Since assuming the role in August 2022, she has driven a turnaround built on listening to staff and community members and elevating the system’s stories of care, introducing “DAISY Awards” for nurses and “BEE Awards” recognizing non-nursing staff. She improved the system’s Leapfrog scores by 41% from 2021 to 2024, raising the grade from a “D” to a high “B,” and oversaw 10% year-over-year patient volume growth and improved financial stability. Her focus on employee engagement, recruitment and pay increases cut emergency department turnover by more than half and lowered the left-without-being-seen rate to below 3%. To support workforce development, DCH partners with the University of Alabama Capstone College of Nursing to promote its online RN-to-BSN degree to employees. Ms. Keefer previously served as CEO of Augusta (Ga.) University Health and earned the 2024 “Distinguished Service Award” from the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce.
Marissa G. Kiefer. President of UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s and UH MacDonald Women’s Hospitals (Cleveland). Ms. Kiefer joined University Hospitals as president of UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital and UH MacDonald Women’s Hospital in June 2025, where she serves as a key system leader and holds the Patti DePompei Distinguished Chair in Women’s and Children’s Healthcare Leadership. Working in close partnership with the chairs of pediatrics and obstetrics/gynecology, she oversees all clinical programs and services across both hospitals while shaping and executing their strategic vision. Over her first 10 months, she led the development of a refreshed strategic direction for Rainbow and established a standalone system of care for women’s health that extends beyond the pregnancy journey to comprehensive medical and surgical services. Under her leadership, the hospitals achieved successful DNV survey outcomes and secured Magnet reaccreditation for nursing excellence for the fifth consecutive time, an accomplishment achieved by fewer than 2% of U.S. hospitals. UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital earned recognition as a U.S. News & World Report “Best Hospital” for 2025-2026, ranking in all 11 pediatric specialties. Ms. Kiefer previously served as senior vice president and CEO of Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston and as vice president of strategy at Indianapolis-based Riley Children’s Health. She currently serves on the Children’s Hospital Association public policy committee of the board, and chairs the Carol Emmott Network governing council.
Sommer Kleweno Walley. CEO at UW Medicine Harborview Medical Center (Seattle). Ms. Kleweno Walley leads Harborview Medical Center, a 540-bed public hospital owned by King County and managed by UW Medicine with a mission to provide care to King County’s most vulnerable populations. As part of UW Medicine, the health system of the University of Washington, the medical center has more than 6,000 employees and provided $294 million in uncompensated care in fiscal year 2025. Harborview is also the leading level 1 adult and pediatric trauma center for a five-state region. Ms. Kleweno Walley provides oversight for Harborview’s strategic growth plan, including her work with King County leadership on a $1.74 billion campus expansion to build a new medical tower on the Harborview campus. She has also launched new health access programs in the community, such as the Harborview Street Medicine Team, which brings care directly to unhoused patients from a team of Harborview doctors and nurses working in collaboration with Public Health—Seattle & King County. Ms. Kleweno Walley serves on the boards of America’s Essential Hospitals, Trauma Center Association of America Leadership Team and Washington State Hospital Association. In 2025, she was honored by the Puget Sound Business Journal in its list of “Women of Influence” for her leadership in the community.
Anne Klibanski, MD. President and CEO of Mass General Brigham (Boston). Dr. Klibanski leads a system with internationally known Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, recognized specialty hospitals Mass Eye and Ear, McLean and Spaulding Rehabilitation, community hospitals, health centers and home-based care. It is the largest private employer in Massachusetts with more than 83,000 employees and $23 billion in annual revenue. Since her appointment in 2019, Dr. Klibanski led the transformation into a fully integrated academic health system, achieving greater clinical integration across its hospitals with multidisciplinary, disease-focused institutes, especially in heart and vascular, cancer and neuroscience. She expanded digital and virtual care and deepened investment in breakthrough research, including gene and cell therapies, supported by $2.7 billion in annual research and academic funding. She championed innovation, fueling the creation of over 300 health companies revolutionizing diagnostics, therapeutics and medical technology. She drives bold investments in AI to improve outcomes, reduce caregiver burden, enhance medical education and accelerate discovery from bench to bedside. Under her leadership, Mass General Brigham has committed itself to addressing health disparities and breaking down barriers to care through a number of community health, education and training initiatives and investments. Dr. Klibanski previously served as Mass General Brigham’s chief academic officer and chief of neuroendocrine at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Laura Kowal. Delaware Valley President at Nemours Children’s Health (Jacksonville, Fla.). Ms. Kowal is Delaware Valley president for Nemours Children’s Health, overseeing operations at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware, a 220-bed pediatric hospital in Wilmington, along with 24 primary care locations, nine specialty care locations across Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and Maryland, 17 school-based health centers, and collaborating programs with 10 regional hospitals. Before entering health law, she spent more than a decade as a practicing physical therapist and certified wound care specialist in hospital, outpatient and post-acute settings, then practiced in the health law group at Ballard Spahr, focusing on corporate transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and regulatory matters. She joined Nemours in 2014 and advanced through roles of increasing scope, serving as general counsel and chief legal officer beginning in 2020 before assuming her current role in 2025. Under her leadership, Nemours opened the Lisa Dean Moseley Foundation Institute for Cancer and Blood Disorders outpatient services and day hospital in December 2025, as well as the Institute for Maternal Fetal Health, which will include Delaware’s first surgical fetal care center. She also played a critical role in Nemours’ groundbreaking pediatric global budget agreement with the state of Delaware, a first-of-its-kind model linking reimbursement to health outcomes rather than volume. Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware, has eight specialties ranked nationally by U.S. News & World Report and ranks as the No. 1 pediatric hospital in the state.
Sonja LaBarbera. President and CEO of Gaylord Specialty Healthcare (Wallingford, Conn.). Since January 2019, Ms. LaBarbera has served as the first woman president and CEO in the 120-year history of Gaylord Specialty Healthcare. The health system is a nonprofit rehabilitation-focused system comprising a long term acute care hospital, a network of outpatient orthopedic and neurological rehabilitation clinics, a burgeoning research institute, a physical medicine and rehabilitation residency program, a center for education and one of largest adaptive sports programs in the Northeast. Ms. LaBarbera’s tenure as president has been marked by a number of successful initiatives aimed at expanding strategic programmatic growth, delivering exceptional clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction scores that exceed national benchmarks. One such success was the 2023 launch of The Institute for Advanced Rehabilitation, a hub for collaboration, innovation, investigation and education.
Brittany Lavis. Group CEO of Detroit Medical Center. Ms. Lavis, one of the nation’s youngest CEOs of a major health system, helms Detroit Medical Center. One of her primary goals is to reduce health disparities and enhance health outcomes. Prior, she served as group CFO at the medical center, then interim CEO. She was named permanent CEO in February 2022.
Tiffany Lawrence. President and CEO of Sanford Health Fargo (N.D.). Ms. Lawrence is responsible for overseeing North Dakota’s largest healthcare provider and employer, managing more than 10,200 employees. The network has clinics and critical access hospitals located in over 30 towns, ensuring that patients have access to primary and specialty care within their own community, thus reducing travel expenses and saving time. Ms. Lawrence works with her leadership team to help increase access to healthcare for these rural communities by opening new facilities, having specialty clinicians provide outreach services, adding virtual care options and more. She oversees and sets strategic goals for several primary and specialty facilities, as well as three acute care campuses. Ms. Lawrence has been with Sanford for nearly three decades, becoming president and CEO in March 2022. Since then, she has created a workplace culture that values recognition and open and honest communication. She also oversaw the merger with an independent orthopedic clinic in Grand Forks, N.D., the opening of a Roger Maris Cancer Center location at Perham Health, and the launch of the first medical clinic in Horace, N.D. She has held other leadership roles at Sanford, including vice president of finance.
Michelle LeBeau, RN. President and COO of Alice Hyde Medical Center (Malone, N.Y.) and Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (Burlington, Vt.). Ms. LeBeau leads Alice Hyde Medical Center, a 25-bed critical access hospital, and Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital, a 300-bed level 3 trauma center, both part of the Burlington-based University of Vermont Health Network. With both hospitals, she heads a combined workforce of 3,300 employees. Ms. LeBeau has transitioned Alice Hyde to critical access status and strengthened CVPH’s partnership with Clinton Community College by bringing nursing and emergency medical technicians programs on site. Beginning her career in bedside nursing, she advanced through multiple leadership roles, including as COO and CNO. She serves as a member of the Adirondack Health Institute, sits on the board of directors for the Development Corporation, and is part of the University of Vermont Children’s Hospital advisory committee. She has also earned Clinton Community College’s “Education Champion” award and helped establish a nursing scholarship.
Amy E. Lee. President and COO at Nantucket (Mass.) Cottage Hospital. Since joining Nantucket Cottage Hospital in 2022, Ms. Lee has led efforts to expand and improve access to care for island residents and visitors, while working to address the significant socioeconomic challenges for those who live and work on the island year-round. The hospital has increased access to care across more than 30 specialties on island through a combination of telehealth, in person visiting providers, and education and training of current on-island caregivers. Efforts to expedite care in the emergency department have resulted in a 15-minute door-to-provider time for patients, even during the busy tourist season when the island population swells to more than 80,000 people, up from 14,000 in the off-season. Under her leadership, the hospital has made strides to address the most critical need of its workforce and community: housing. In the past two years, the hospital has acquired or built 10 new housing units with 38 bedrooms with funds from the last capital campaign. In 2023, the organization hired a first-of-its kind housing coordinator who works directly with employees and recruits to help find housing solutions in the community. Prior to joining Nantucket Cottage Hospital, Ms. Lee served as COO and vice president at Central Maine Medical Group/Central Maine Healthcare.
Michelle Lewis. CEO at NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health (New York City). Ms. Lewis is a healthcare leader driving expansive growth at Gotham Health while ensuring the organization continues to provide high-quality, equitable care to all New Yorkers regardless of ability to pay or immigration status. Working closely with the city, she helped develop three advanced ambulatory sites in the Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn, N.Y., with a fourth facility under construction in Far Rockaway, N.Y. These state-of-the-art sites offer both specialty and primary care services, expanding access to healthcare in under-resourced areas. Ms. Lewis has led the introduction of essential clinical services across the enterprise, including dermatology and advanced radiology offerings such as MRI, CT scans and 3D mammography, significantly improving access to early detection, screening and specialized care. She has also guided the growth of telehealth, which especially impacts patients with transportation or mobility challenges. With more than 20 years of experience, she has built a reputation for leading transformative initiatives, optimizing patient care and fostering mission-driven teams.
Vicki Lewis. President and CEO of Coffee Regional Medical Center (Douglas, Ga.). Ms. Lewis joined Coffee Regional Medical Center as CEO in 2014, bringing more than 25 years of healthcare leadership experience to the role. She leads the 88-bed hospital, which delivers both emergency care and a range of nonemergent services. Prior to this, she served as the president of two acute care hospitals in Wisconsin, where she aimed to enhance patient experience and form a strong bond with the community.
Svetlana Lipyanskaya. CEO at NYC Health + Hospitals/South Brooklyn (N.Y.) Health. Ms. Lipyanskaya is the first woman to lead the executive team at NYC Health + Hospitals/South Brooklyn Health, navigating the hospital through the Covid-19 pandemic and its recovery while launching a state-of-the-art inpatient facility. She developed and implemented a campuswide strategic master plan based on a community needs assessment, designed to make the hospital the healthcare destination of choice for approximately 875,000 residents from South Brooklyn and beyond. Ms. Lipyanskaya is leading a facility name change and rebranding campaign, the completion of a new 11-story hospital, and the development of a health and wellness institute to elevate primary and specialty care. She has shepherded the creation of several life-saving services, including a new cardiac catheterization lab and the certification of a percutaneous coronary intervention program. The hospital also earned designation as an advanced primary stroke center by the Joint Commission, adding life-saving clinical services in a borough where heart disease is the second leading cause of premature death. Ms. Lipyanskaya has been featured in City and State’s “Brooklyn Power 100” and recognized on the New York State Assembly floor for her impact on healthcare.
Lisa Lochner. President at Missouri Baptist Sullivan Hospital. Ms. Lochner is responsible for the overall leadership, strategic direction and day-to-day operations of Missouri Baptist Sullivan Hospital, ensuring the delivery of safe, high-quality, patient-centered care to the Sullivan community and surrounding rural areas of east-central Missouri. She provides executive oversight for clinical services, nursing, medical staff relations, finance, quality and safety, aligning hospital operations with the mission and strategic priorities of the overarching St. Louis-based BJC HealthCare system. A defining element of her leadership is her “one heart, one team” philosophy, which emphasizes unity, shared accountability and collective purpose among physicians, leaders and frontline caregivers. In 2024, Ms. Lochner was honored as a CBIZ “Women Transforming Business Award” recipient in the culture category, and in 2023 she received the PRC “Healthcare Leadership Award for Healthcare Impact.” Under her leadership, the hospital has earned multiple PRC “Excellence in Healthcare Awards,” including top performer and 5-star recognitions reflecting top-tier national performance in patient experience. Ms. Lochner’s career within BJC HealthCare spans more than three decades, including roles as vice president of operations and assistant administrator before her appointment as hospital president in 2021.
Kim Lucero. CEO of Mt. San Rafael Hospital (Trinidad, Colo.). Ms. Lucero serves as CEO of Mt. San Rafael Hospital and Clinics, bringing a deep commitment to innovation, quality and community connection. She has reshaped the trajectory of the organization by ensuring sustainable growth, operational excellence and improved patient access. Under her leadership, Mt. San Rafael Hospital and Clinics was named one of the “Top 20 Critical Access Hospitals” in the nation for 2025 by the National Rural Health Association and ranked in the top five for overall performance among all rural hospitals in the U.S. These accolades reflect a sweeping elevation of services, strategy and patient outcomes during her tenure. The hospital was also named a “Top 100 Critical Access Hospital” by the Chartis Center for Rural Health in 2025. Ms. Lucero has spearheaded major advancements across the enterprise, including digital transformation, AI-driven clinical innovation, employee engagement and a long-range master facility plan to meet future community needs. Her leadership has also positioned the hospital as a model for cybersecurity readiness and care delivery in rural America.
Mary Mannix. President and CEO at Augusta Health Care (Fishersville, Va.). Ms. Mannix serves as president and CEO of Augusta Health, a 255-bed, community-owned health system and the largest private employer in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, with more than 16 years as CEO and oversight of more than 2,000 team members. She has repositioned the system from a hospital-centric model into a fully integrated regional health system serving more than 300,000 residents across seven counties. She spearheaded the Mobile Neighborhood Clinic program, which delivers primary care directly into underserved communities through rotating clinics at 17 partner sites, work that earned Augusta Health the 2024 CMS “Health Equity Award” and the 2024 “Carolyn Boone Lewis Equity of Care Award” from the American Hospital Association. Under her direction, the system expanded specialty services including oncology, cardiology and critical care, forged national affiliations with the Duke Cancer Network and the Mayo Clinic Care Network, and maintained a Leapfrog hospital safety grade “A” every year since 2016. She also developed a multispecialty employed physician group of 250 providers across 35 sites and guided the formation of a Medicare-approved accountable care organization that includes 410 providers. A fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, Ms. Mannix also established the AMI Farm at Augusta Health, a farm-to-institution collaboration supplying fresh produce to the hospital.
Amy Mansue. CEO of Inspira Health (Mullica Hill, N.J.). Since taking the helm in 2020, Ms. Mansue has steered the $1.6 billion Inspira Health through a period of unprecedented growth, innovation and community investment. She oversaw over $300 million in capital expansions, including a five-story tower at the Mullica Hill campus, new autism diagnostic centers, and an expanded behavioral health footprint across South Jersey. Her leadership also brought community programs like the “Food Farmacy+” and a robust community health worker initiative to life, directly addressing social determinants of health. Ms. Mansue has prioritized AI integration, robotic-assisted surgery and workforce development, expanding residency programs and bringing vital services closer to home through high-profile partnerships with Camden, N.J.-based Cooper University Health Care and Philadelphia-based Bayada Home Health Care. She further extends her impact across the healthcare ecosystem through her policy influence and civic leadership.
Connie Martin. President and Chief Administrative Officer of Fort Loudoun Medical Center (Lenoir City, Tenn.). Since becoming president and CAO in 2022, Ms. Martin has propelled Fort Loudoun Medical Center into a new era of growth and excellence, including leading a major expansion that will add 26 critical care beds and broaden emergency services. She has advanced innovative programs like the emergency room “call-ahead” service, making emergency care more patient-friendly and efficient for non-urgent cases. Ms. Martin is deeply engaged in local health education, offering scholarships and leading a community health speaker series. Her servant leadership approach blends operational savvy with genuine community advocacy, earning regional and national acclaim.
Tracy Payne Martinez. President at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Alliance (Fort Worth). Ms. Martinez became president of Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Alliance in May 2026. She brings more than two decades of leadership experience within Texas Health. Most recently, she served as vice president of professional and support services at Texas Health Alliance, where she provided executive leadership across clinical support, diagnostic and operational services. In that role, she advanced key initiatives to support the hospital’s rapid growth. Throughout her tenure, Ms. Martinez has demonstrated a strong track record of driving service line expansion and working with physicians. She has played a central leadership role in overseeing growth initiatives, including a 50-bed tower expansion, a neonatal ICU expansion and future surgical services growth planning.
Patty Maysent. CEO of UC San Diego Health. Ms. Maysent is CEO of UC San Diego Health, which is the only academic health system in the region and includes UC San Diego Medical Center, Jacobs Medical Center, Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center, Moores Cancer Center, Shiley Eye Institute, Koman Family Outpatient Pavilion and more than 30 clinics throughout the area. As CEO, she is responsible for managing $3.6 billion in annual operating revenue and overseeing 14,000 team members. She is supervising the health system’s multifaceted, multibillion dollar growth and expansion plan.
Kathy McCollum. President at University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center (Glen Burnie, Md.). Ms. McCollum serves as president of University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center, a member organization of the Baltimore-based University of Maryland Medical System and one of Anne Arundel County’s largest employers, serving more than 600,000 residents. Since becoming president in 2021, she has addressed workforce shortages, rising rates of chronic disease and gaps in access to care, assuming leadership during the lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. She built sustainable talent pipelines through partnerships with Anne Arundel Community College, the Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation and Anne Arundel County Public Schools, with 27 individuals graduating from the first cohort of clinical career pathway programs as certified nursing assistants and licensed practical nurses. The medical center hosted 22 interns through the workforce development corporation’s FutureSuccess program and was honored with the organization’s “Valued Service Award” in 2025. Ms. McCollum has advanced clinical innovation by increasing critical care capacity with a new unit, introducing robotic-assisted surgical technology and helping open the hospital’s outpatient care center, and she launched the “SPARQ Tank” program to foster a culture of discovery. Under her leadership, the medical center was ranked the No. 5 hospital in Maryland by U.S. News & World Report for two consecutive years and was named a top hospital for 2026 in Forbes‘ inaugural list. She began her career at University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore in strategic planning, and previously served as COO and senior vice president for clinical integration at the medical center.
Holly McCormack, DNP, RN. President and CEO of Cottage Hospital (Woodsville N.H.). Dr. McCormack leads Cottage Hospital with an unwavering dedication to rural healthcare, community partnership and clinical care delivery excellence. As CEO of a critical access hospital and the region’s only level 4 trauma center, she has ensured strong foundations for both growth and patient care innovation. Her leadership has earned recognition from the New Hampshire Hospital Association, spotlighting her ability to elevate small hospitals onto larger platforms. She actively participates in academic and local boards, reinforcing her commitment to workforce development and health equity. Known for her authenticity and community presence, she fosters a workplace culture rooted in integrity, teamwork and resilience.
Martha McGill, BSN. Central Florida President at Nemours Children’s Health (Jacksonville, Fla.). Ms. McGill is Central Florida president for Nemours Children’s Health, overseeing operations at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida, a 135-bed pediatric hospital in Orlando, along with the system’s primary and specialty care sites and academic collaborations across the region. She brings nearly 40 years of clinical operations and executive leadership experience spanning service line growth, physician enterprise management, merger and acquisition integration, and government relations. Under her leadership, Nemours Children’s formalized a landmark partnership with the University of Central Florida College of Medicine, establishing a department of pediatrics that has trained hundreds of medical students and become one of the largest pediatric training programs in the state. Nemours Children’s recently broke ground on a 34,000-square-foot multispecialty care facility along Florida’s Space Coast and opened a nearly 8,000-square-foot care location in Lake Nona offering primary and specialty services. Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida, is nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report in orthopedics, diabetes and endocrinology, pulmonology and lung surgery, and behavioral health. In 2026, Nemours Children’s Health, Central Florida, earned Magnet with distinction recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, placing it among only 10% of U.S. hospitals and making it only the third in Florida to achieve the milestone. Ms. McGill also serves as the children’s hospital trustee on the Florida Hospital Association’s board of trustees.
Donna McGregor. President at the St. Lawrence Region of Rochester (N.Y.) Regional Health. Ms. McGregor leads three hospitals, 2,165 employees, and a 234-member medical staff in St. Lawrence County in Northern New York. She joined St. Lawrence Health in 2020 as Chief Financial Officer and was promoted to President in 2022. An accomplished executive with extensive experience transforming rural health systems and achieving strategic growth, she has a strong track record of innovative accomplishments. These include implementing an electronic medical record system and securing more than $20 million in state and federal support to advance the new St. Lawrence Region Rural Health Strategy focused on expanding patient transportation, maternal child health, behavioral health outreach, primary care, and workforce development. Before her leadership in Rochester, Ms. McGregor served in executive leadership managing and growing complex healthcare organizations, including Health Quest, Putnam Hospital Center and Crystal Run Healthcare.
Christine McSweeney. Hospital President of Sequoia Hospital and Dominican Hospital (Redwood City and Santa Cruz, Calif.). Ms. McSweeney became hospital president of Sequoia Hospital and Dominican Hospital in April 2026, overseeing operations and strategic growth for both facilities within Dignity Health’s California region. She joined from Chicago-based CommonSpirit Health’s Utah market, where she served as president of Holy Cross Hospital–Jordan Valley and Holy Cross Hospital–West Valley. Under her leadership, Holy Cross Hospital–Jordan Valley was recognized as a Leapfrog “Top General Hospital,” making it the sole recipient in Utah, and was named by Healthgrades among the top 5% of hospitals for patient safety. She oversaw millions of dollars in facility upgrades, including a new cardiac catheterization lab and lobby remodel at Holy Cross Hospital–West Valley and a new hyperbaric unit at Holy Cross Hospital–Jordan Valley. The Cancer Center at Jordan Valley became the first in Utah to use radioactive tiles for brain tumor treatment and introduced low-dose radiation therapy for osteoarthritis, while Ms. McSweeney also worked with a legislator to pass a bill broadening the scope of practice for emergency medical services workers in hospital emergency departments. A proven culture-builder, she launched engagement initiatives such as “Breakfast with Christine” and the “We Are” campaign, and partnered with the Utah Food Bank to establish a food pantry at Holy Cross Hospital–West Valley addressing food insecurity among patients.
Sonia Mehta, MD. Region II CEO, Corporate Chief Medical Officer and Chief Academic Officer of Prime Healthcare (Ontario, Calif.). Dr. Mehta provides leadership as regional CEO for the following Prime Healthcare hospitals: Lower Bucks Hospital, Roxborough Memorial Hospital, and Suburban Community Hospital in the greater Philadelphia area, St. Mary’s General Hospital, Saint Michael’s Medical Center and Saint Clare’s Health in the Greater Newark area and Landmark Medical Center and Rehabilitation Hospital in Rhode Island. In 2018 she led three of Prime Healthcare’s Pennsylvania hospitals that were named by Healthgrades as among the top five percent in the nation for patient safety excellence.
Jennifer Mendrzycki. President and CEO of TMC Health (Tucson, Ariz.). Ms. Mendrzychi oversees TMC Health, an integrated healthcare system that includes Tucson Medical Center, TMC Rincon, Benson Hospital and Northern Cochise County Hospital, as well as nearly 30 clinics and 40 specialty partnerships. Since taking the helm, she has driven major expansions such as the 2024 opening of TMC Rincon, a full-service acute care hospital serving southeast Tucson. Ms. Mendrzychi also led the development of the TMC Health Cancer Center in partnership with Arizona Oncology, enhancing access to comprehensive cancer care for over 18,000 patients. Additionally, she is managing a multi-phase renovation of Tucson Medical Center’s emergency departments to improve community service capacity. Prior to TMC, Ms. Mendrzychi was senior vice president and COO at St. Joseph’s Health in Paterson, N.J. She serves on multiple boards, including the Catholic University alumni board and American Heart Association “Go Red for Women” executive leadership team. Under her leadership, TMC Health has earned Forbes’ “America’s Best-In-State Employers” and multiple U.S. News & World Report recognitions.
Kim Mikes, BSN, RN. CEO at Hoag Orthopedic Institute (Irvine, Calif.). Ms. Mikes serves as CEO of Hoag Orthopedic Institute, a nationally ranked, for-profit, joint venture, physician-owned orthopedic and spine specialty hospital and ambulatory surgery center network. She is a veteran healthcare executive with more than 25 years of experience across hospital, ambulatory and clinic settings, with expertise in both clinical and financial perspectives. Her focus spans planning, organizing, directing and controlling all administrative and clinical activities while delivering operational excellence, strong patient experiences and outcomes. Before becoming CEO, Ms. Mikes served as senior vice president, COO and CNO at the institute beginning in 2016. Earlier, she held a variety of roles at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach, Calif., including executive nursing and operations director for the Women’s Health Institute and nursing director for the short stay surgery unit and GI lab. Before arriving in Southern California, she held top leadership positions at major medical centers across the nation. She is a member of professional organizations including the Association of Perioperative Nurses and the Sigma Theta Tau nursing honor society.
Caitlin Miller, BSN. President and Chief Hospital Executive at Hackensack Meridian Bayshore Medical Center (Holmdel, N.J.). Ms. Miller has served as president and chief hospital executive of Hackensack Meridian Bayshore Medical Center since 2022, overseeing daily operations of the 211-bed acute care facility that opened more than 50 years ago. She began her career as a floor nurse, became a nurse manager and then advanced to senior operations leadership, giving her experience across the continuum of care. Her responsibilities include strategic planning, fostering relationships with the community, physicians, team members and board members, leading emergency management response, and helping develop and manage the hospital budget. Under her leadership, the medical center has expanded surgical services, enhanced its orthopedic offerings and is planning future operating room expansion while strengthening key service lines. The hospital’s CMS star rating increased from two stars to four stars during her tenure, and it ranked as a “Top 250 Community Hospital” according to Healthgrades in 2024 and 2025. The medical center has also earned Magnet recognition, an “A” safety grade from the Leapfrog Group, and the Healthgrades “Patient Safety Excellence Award” three years in a row. Ms. Miller was named to NJBIZ‘s “Top Forty Under 40” in 2023.
Candace Miller. President and CEO at WVU Medicine Jackson General Hospital (Ripley, W.Va.). Ms. Miller leads WVU Medicine Jackson General Hospital, an 18-bed critical access facility, that provides a wide array of services including primary care, emergency care, surgery, urology, physical therapy, pain management, women’s health, orthopedics, podiatry and walk-in services to surrounding counties. In December 2025, she announced the hospital’s “Building Hope” campaign, which will establish a cancer center on the hospital’s campus. Since arriving at Morgantown, W.Va.-based WVU Medicine in 2024, Ms. Miller has been a champion for protecting the state’s “Certificate of Need” laws, an effort she has advanced through guest editorials and by addressing state government. She came to WVU Medicine from OhioHealth in Columbus, where she served as corporate senior advisor responsible for systemwide internal resources, overseeing capacity management and patient flow while collaborating with care site CEOs and clinical leaders on initiatives to reduce inpatient length of stay. She previously served as corporate vice president for OhioHealth and held multiple positions at its O’Bleness Hospital in Athens, Ohio, including vice president and COO, vice president of clinical support services, chief ethics and compliance officer, and vice president of professional services and quality management. The Chartis Center for Rural Health recognized the hospital with a “Performance Leadership Award for Patient Perspective” for 2025.
Redonda Miller, MD. President of The Johns Hopkins Hospital (Baltimore). Dr. Miller leads The Johns Hopkins Hospital, a 1,100-bed academic medical center with 11,000 employees and $4 billion in operating revenue, advancing a dual mission of innovation and community care since her appointment as president in 2016. Under her leadership, The Johns Hopkins Hospital has been consistently recognized for clinical excellence, achieving a 5-star rating from CMS, maintaining its ranking among the top hospitals in the nation on the U.S. News & World Report honor roll, earning its fifth consecutive Magnet designation for nursing excellence, and receiving gold certification for person-centered care from Planetree International. Dr. Miller’s connection to Johns Hopkins spans decades, having first arrived as a medical student in 1988. She served in progressive administrative roles, including vice chair of clinical operations for the department of medicine and senior vice president of medical affairs for the Johns Hopkins Health System, before assuming the presidency. A practicing internist, Dr. Miller continues to see patients, ensuring her firsthand clinical experience informs decisions that support both exceptional patient care and the wellbeing of providers and staff. She is actively engaged in the Baltimore community, serving on the boards of Turnaround Tuesday and Living Classrooms. In 2020, she was inducted into both the National Academy of Medicine and the Maryland Chamber of Commerce Business Hall of Fame.
Susan Moffatt-Bruce, MD, PhD. President at Lahey Clinic (Burlington, Mass.). Dr. Moffatt-Bruce provides strategic leadership and oversight for all operational aspects of Lahey Clinic, a 333-bed tertiary center nationally recognized for its integrated clinic model of care. In 2024, she played a pivotal role in launching the UMass Chan-Lahey Regional Medical School campus in Burlington, advancing Lahey’s standing as a learning health system. She also serves as a professor of surgery at UMass Chan-Lahey. A practicing cardiothoracic surgeon and research scientist, Dr. Moffatt-Bruce has led the strategic adoption of AI and machine learning technologies to enhance clinical decision-making and streamline workflows, and she established the Lahey Innovation Hub to identify unmet needs and accelerate adoption of high-impact technologies. She was named a 2025 Boston Business Journal “Icon Award” recipient through the “Women Who Mean Business” program and received the American Medical Association “Women Physicians Section Inspiration Award” in 2023. Lahey Hospital & Medical Center was recognized as one of the “Top 100 Women-Led Businesses in Massachusetts” by The Women’s Edge and Boston Globe Magazine in 2024 and 2025. She holds leadership roles within the Society of Thoracic Surgeons and the American Association of Thoracic Surgeons, and serves on the board of trustees of the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association. Before joining Lahey, Dr. Moffatt-Bruce was CEO of the Royal College of Physicians in London, England and Surgeons of Canada in Ottawa, Ontario from 2020 to 2023. She also held quality, patient safety and academic leadership roles at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus.
Jennifer Montgomery. CEO of Midlands Market at Prisma Health (Greenville, S.C.). Ms. Montgomery serves as CEO of Prisma Health’s Midlands Market, overseeing four hospitals across the Columbia and Sumter, S.C., region, representing more than 1,300 licensed beds and more than 7,000 team members. A registered nurse by training, she is the first woman to serve as a market-wide CEO at Prisma Health, and earlier in her career she was the first woman CEO of both McLaren Port Huron (Mich.) and McLaren St. Luke’s in Maumee, Ohio. Since joining Prisma Health in May 2025, she championed the opening of the $128 million Northeast Columbia Medical Park in Columbia, a 120,000-square-foot outpatient hub, and added 86 employed physicians and advanced practice providers with commitments to recruit 90 more in the coming fiscal year. Under her oversight, Baptist Parkridge Hospital in Columbia achieved Magnet with Distinction, a designation held by only three hospitals in the state, and improved from a “B” to an “A” in the most recent Leapfrog hospital safety grade cycle. Meanwhile, Richland Hospital in Columbia improved from a “C” to a “B” score. Before joining Prisma Health, Ms. Montgomery was president and CEO of McLaren Port Huron and McLaren St. Luke’s and served as system-level chief nursing officer for Grand Blanc, Mich.-based McLaren Health Care, where she standardized nursing practice across 13 hospitals.
Marie Moore. Community President for Mercy Washington (Mo.) Hospital and Mercy Hospital Lincoln (Troy, Mo.). Ms. Moore serves as community president for Mercy Hospital Washington and Mercy Hospital Lincoln, which combined have 165 beds and average 60,000 annual emergency room visits and more than 275,000 annual outpatient visits across 10 counties. She is the project lead for Mercy Wentzville (Mo.), Mercy’s first new hospital campus in the state since 2015 and the state’s only greenfield construction, a 284,000-square-foot campus with a projected revenue of $461 million that will include a 54-bed acute-care hospital, an outpatient clinic building and a cancer center. Over the last fiscal year, Ms. Moore led her team to increase year-over-year hospital revenue, achieve record cardiac catheterization lab volumes and grow operating room cases by 4%. Under her leadership, earnings before interest, depreciation and amortization margins at the two hospitals improved by 75 basis points year-over-year, a $2 million improvement, and both hospitals earned “Straight A” Leapfrog status and improved CMS star ratings. At Mercy Washington, she secured $3 million for facility infrastructure improvements, including a da Vinci robot that launched a robotics program for the community. Ms. Moore previously served as vice president and community CNO for Mercy Hospital Springfield (Mo.) Communities. She currently serves on the boards of Mid America Transplant and Mercy Health Foundation.
Alina Moran. CEO at NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst (N.Y.). Ms. Moran leads more than 6,000 healthcare professionals as CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, one of New York City’s largest and busiest hospitals, serving a culturally diverse community that speaks more than 160 languages. She built her career over more than two decades at New York City-based NYC Health + Hospitals, beginning as finance director for managed care at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, rising to assistant vice president for managed care for the system, and later serving as CFO at NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, where she improved cash flow by $30 million and spearheaded the implementation of the Epic EHR. She spent four years as CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan, the hospital where she was born, and improved patient experience scores, reduced primary care wait times and boosted staff engagement. There, as the system’s chief patient growth officer, she expanded patient census and established referral partnerships. She later served as CEO of California Hospital Medical Center in Los Angeles, where she managed care for more than 10,000 Covid-19 cases while keeping all services operational and completed a $215 million campus expansion that increased access in underserved communities. More recently, Ms. Moran worked as a strategic advisor at digital health service Samaritan in California, overseeing initiatives for people experiencing homelessness. She serves as national board chair of the Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement and holds positions with the Central City Association and CORO Southern California. The National Association of Healthcare Executives recognized her with its 2019 “Healthcare Executive of the Year” award.
Michele Morrison, RN. President and Chief Hospital Executive at Hackensack Meridian JFK University Medical Center (Edison, N.J.). As president and chief hospital executive, Ms. Morrison has accountability and oversight of Hackensack Meridian JFK University Medical Center and the Hackensack Meridian Neuroscience Institute at JFK University Medical Center. She joined in February 2025 after serving in the same role at Hackensack Meridian Southern Ocean Medical Center in Manahawkin, N.J., where she led an organizational redesign and business development efforts. Under her leadership, the 498-bed JFK University Medical Center offers a complete array of advanced services with more than 1,000 affiliated physicians, including specialized neurosurgery and thoracic surgery, interventional and noninvasive cardiac care, maternity and pediatrics, oncology and emergency medicine. Achievements during her tenure at JFK include improving financial performance, decreasing emergency department throughput times, creating emergency management teams and opening a new comprehensive cancer center. The hospital also recently embarked on phase one of a master facility plan including a new ambulatory surgery center, wound care center, diabetes center and parking garage. At Southern Ocean Medical Center, Ms. Morrison led a $31.4 million surgery expansion and advanced the hospital’s cardiac catheterization license three times in two years to offer elective percutaneous coronary intervention. A nurse by training, she changed course from a planned career in law after a family member was the recipient of a medical error, a turn that fuels her commitment to quality and safety. She has been recognized among the NJBIZ “Top 50 Women in Business.”
Sarah Naumowich. President of St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital and St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital (Tampa, Fla.). Ms. Naumowich oversees the strategic direction and daily operations of both BayCare Health System specialty hospitals, which together have 319 beds, ensuring delivery of high-quality care while guiding women’s and children’s service lines across the BayCare system. Ms. Naumowich has led major expansion projects, including the development of a new state-of-the-art pediatric facility scheduled for completion by 2030, supported by a $50 million donation. She also played a key role in expanding the Ronald McDonald House on the St. Joseph’s campus, enhancing family support services. Under her leadership, St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital maintains level 4 maternal care certification by The Joint Commission, while the children’s hospital operates a level 4 NICU accredited by Florida. With more than 20 years in healthcare, Ms. Naumowich established BayCare’s pediatric residency program and is a passionate advocate for pediatric health, inspired by her personal experience as a mother of a pediatric cancer survivor. She serves on the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County and as board chair for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s North Florida region.
Sarah Ness. President and CEO of PeaceHealth (Vancouver, Wash.). Ms. Ness became president and CEO of PeaceHealth in January 2026, making her the second female lay leader in the history of the 135-year-old nonprofit Catholic health system. PeaceHealth includes about 16,000 caregivers, nearly 3,200 physicians and clinicians, more than 160 clinics and nine medical centers across Washington, Oregon and Alaska. She brings more than 25 years of leadership experience and deep institutional knowledge to the role, having previously served as executive vice president and chief administrative officer. She has held multiple other senior leadership roles throughout her career at PeaceHealth. Ms. Ness has prioritized strengthening a culture of accountability, belonging and purpose. She has outlined three clear priorities for PeaceHealth: deepening connections through direct engagement to build trust, modernizing the system’s care delivery and services model while improving access and accelerating growth, and strengthening the system’s operational and financial health to invest in talent, technology and services. Her vision is already yielding notable results through expanded access to primary and specialty care through transfer acceptance, fast-track clinic models and digital pathways.
Cheryl Nester Wolfe, MSN, RN. President and CEO of Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics (Salem, Ore.). Ms. Nester Wolfe has led Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics as president and CEO since 2015. The major health system comprises hospitals, clinics and outpatient services in Oregon’s mid-Willamette Valley. With a focus on improving workplace culture, she launched the “Harmful Words and Actions” initiative, which increased reported incidents of workplace violence by 38%, signaling trust in the reporting process and leading to a significant decrease in physical assault-related injuries. She also spearheaded a culture shift with the implementation of a professionalism initiative to promote respect and collaboration. Salem Health has excelled under her guidance, reducing the average length of stay from 6.07 to 4.80 days and saving $3.4 million since 2024. Additionally, the system has earned numerous awards, including Magnet recognition and top cardiovascular hospital rankings. Ms. Nester Wolfe has also expanded Salem Health’s community impact by serving on various boards, including the Hospital Association of Oregon.
Janice Nevin, MD. President and CEO of ChristianaCare (Wilmington, Del.). In 2014, Dr. Nevin was named president and CEO of ChristianaCare. Since then, she has helped the system launch its new data-driven care coordination platform, which guides the patients throughout the care journey while taking their social, behavioral and medical needs into consideration. She also played a key role in the development of eBrightHealth ACO. Dr. Nevin is committed to value-based care, population health and health equity.
Jennifer Nickoles. President and CEO at LifeBridge Health (Baltimore). Ms. Nickoles leads LifeBridge Health, one of the largest, most comprehensive providers of health services in Maryland, with more than 130 sites that care for hundreds of thousands of patients each year across more than two million patient encounters. The system is anchored by five care centers and includes ExpressCare urgent care centers, Nation’s Home Care, Pulse Ambulance, LifeBridge Health & Fitness, Springwell Senior Living and BridgingLife, a hospice and palliative care organization. A transformational, mission-driven executive with two decades of experience across academic medicine, community-based care and integrated health systems, she oversees more than 14,000 employees and remains committed to addressing the social determinants affecting people’s health. Before joining LifeBridge Health earlier this year, Ms. Nickoles was president of Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, where she led strategic and operational performance for a 438-bed academic medical center with a $900 million expense base and more than 3,400 employees. At Bayview, she boosted employee engagement from a score of 68 to 75, opened a new 17-bed medicine unit, initiated construction of a 24-bed surgical unit and partnered with Baltimore Medical System to transition 20,000 hospital-based clinic visits. She has been recognized as one of “Maryland’s Top 100 Women” by The Daily Record for 2025.
Kelly Nierstedt. President of Orlando (Fla.) Health–Orlando Regional Medical Center and Senior Vice President of Orlando Health’s Orlando Region. Ms. Nierstedt leads Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center, Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, and Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies. Since joining Orlando Health in 2018, she has driven growth in nursing staff, achieved Magnet designations for all three hospitals, and led a 20% increase in patient census at Orlando Regional Medical Center. She oversaw the development of a new $160 million children’s pavilion, as well as the launch of a solid organ transplant program. Under her leadership, Winnie Palmer Hospital’s NICU is a national leader in caring for extremely premature infants. Ms. Nierstedt was named a 2023 “Woman of the Year” by Orlando Magazine and serves on the Florida Hospital Association board of trustees.
Tiffany Northern. President of Texas Health Hospital Frisco. Ms. Northern was named president of Texas Health Hospital Frisco in March 2025 after serving as interim president since December 2023, bringing more than 15 years of progressive healthcare leadership experience. Prior to this role, she was COO at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, where she led business development, physician alignment and strategic capital projects, including a $58 million renovation of the Margot Perot Center and a $150 million infrastructure modernization. She is also a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. Actively involved in community health, she serves on the executive leadership team for the American Heart Association’s “Go Red for Women” initiative and sits on the board of Abide Women’s Health Services Clinic in South Dallas. Before joining Texas Health, Ms. Northern served in senior operations roles at MedStar Health in Washington, D.C., and at Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare.
Trish O’Keefe, PhD, RN. Senior Vice President at Atlantic Health and President at Atlantic Health Morristown (N.J.) Medical Center. Dr. O’Keefe oversees more than 9,000 team members and physicians at the 735-bed teaching hospital, and is responsible for four medical office buildings and multiple outpatient services throughout Morristown and Rockaway, N.J. She began her career as a bedside nurse, bringing that clinical experience to her leadership roles. Under her direction, the medical center earned five national rankings and was recognized by U.S. News & World Report as “high-performing” in three adult specialties and 22 common adult procedures and conditions in 2025. Money ranked the hospital No. 11 on its “Best Hospitals” list for 2026 for the third consecutive year, with specialty rankings including No. 2 in maternity care for 2026. The hospital was named a 5-star hospital by CMS, one of only three in New Jersey to achieve that rating in 2025, and earned 21 consecutive “A” grades for safety from the Leapfrog Group through fall 2025. It was named one of “America’s 50 Best Hospitals” for 11 consecutive years by Healthgrades from 2016 to 2026, and ranked No. 2 on the Fortune/Premier “Top 20 Major Teaching Hospitals” list in 2025. Dr. O’Keefe currently serves as an officer on the board of the New Jersey Hospital Association.
Courtney Ophaug. CEO of Banner Estrella Medical Center (Phoenix). Named CEO in 2015, Ms. Ophaug leads the 353-bed Banner Estrella Medical Center, which serves over 82,000 patients a year in its emergency department and delivers over 5,400 babies annually. Its robust women’s health program includes a level 3 high risk obstetric and neonatal service. The largest hospital in West Phoenix, it is nearing the completion of a $35 million expansion that includes advanced, state-of-the-art surgical, cardiovascular and obstetrical care services. The ever-expanding cardiology program’s structural heart program has recently added the inclusion of left atrial appendage procedures to support the growing needs of the community. In collaboration with Banner Medical Group, Banner Estrella launched a primary care and orthopedic practice in Goodyear, Ariz. last fall, with intent to expand into cardiology this year. The bariatric program remains certified by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program, making Banner Estrella a destination for bariatric surgeries. Just recently, the hospital earned its third Magnet hospital designation from American Nurses Credentialing Center, signaling their unwavering commitment to clinically excellent care. In her 25 years with the Phoenix-based Banner Health system, Ms. Ophaug has served in a variety of leadership roles, including as hospital administrator at other Banner Health medical centers. Ms. Ophaug also serves on the Arizona March of Dimes advisory board, is a board officer with WESTMARC and was named to the Grand Canyon University alumni hall of fame.
Jennifer Opsut. CEO at Carondelet Health Network–St. Mary’s Hospital (Dallas). Ms. Opsut provides executive leadership with full accountability for the performance of Carondelet Health Network–St. Mary’s Hospital, including operations, quality, patient safety, financial results, growth strategy and regulatory compliance. She oversees daily operations across the acute care hospital, a freestanding emergency department and medical office buildings, directing large multidisciplinary teams that include physicians, providers, leaders, employees and union staff. Ms. Opsut manages complex physician relationships and contracts across hospitalists, intensivists, anesthesia, cardiology and specialty service lines, and leads negotiations for joint ventures, payer contracts and key partnerships. She has delivered year-over-year growth in admissions, surgical volume, emergency department utilization and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, even in competitive markets. She has also led organizations through periods of operational risk, including near-immediate-jeopardy quality status and major physician contract transitions, ultimately resulting in top-decile outcomes and repeated accreditation success. She has aligned physicians and staff around strategic service lines such as cardiovascular, neuro-interventional, robotics, spine and orthopedics, and has directed major capital projects from planning and funding through construction and operational integration. Ms. Opsut’s leadership has earned recognition including patient safety awards and Leapfrog “A” ratings. She previously served as CEO of HCA Healthcare’s Alaska Regional in Anchorage, and as COO at Alaska Regional and West Valley Medical Center in Caldwell, Idaho.
Karen Orr, MSN, RN. CEO of Providence Medical Center (Kansas City, Kan.). Ms. Orr is responsible for daily operations, growth and strategic initiatives at Providence Medical Center. Beginning her career as an entry-level nurse at Renton, Wash.-based Providence, Ms. Orr advanced through roles including oncology staff nurse, clinical supervisor, and operations and research specialist. She also held director positions in joint, spine, surgical acute care, education and palliative care. Known for her operational expertise and deep staff trust, Ms. Orr demonstrated compassionate leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic by launching the “butterfly project” to support families experiencing loss.
Jill Ostrem. President of Allina Health United (Saint Paul, Minn.), United–Hastings (Minn.) Regina, and River Falls (Wis.) Area Hospitals. Ms. Ostrem has more than 30 years of experience managing hospitals, clinics and multispecialty group practices, and serves as president of Allina Health River Falls Area Hospital, Allina Health United Hospital and Allina Health United Hospital–Hastings Regina Campus. She is a strategic leader with a proven track record of developing high-performing teams and driving performance excellence in large, complex hospital environments, and she is known for working collaboratively with physicians to develop strong, effective physician leaders. River Falls Area Hospital recently entered its 10th year hosting the “Project SEARCH” transition-to-work program, a one-year employment preparation program for local individuals 18 and older with developmental disabilities. Under her leadership, the hospital’s swing bed and transitional care program has grown significantly, transitioning most patients no longer needing acute care back to their homes while freeing metro capacity. River Falls Area Hospital earned a CMS 5-star rating for inpatient experience, one of only 25 hospitals in Wisconsin and 273 in the U.S. to receive the distinction.
Cristy Page, MD. CEO of UNC Health and Dean of the UNC School of Medicine (Chapel Hill, N.C.). Dr. Page leads one of the nation’s largest public academic health systems, overseeing a statewide network of over 20 hospitals, 900 clinics and over 55,000 team members. She also serves as dean of UNC School of Medicine and vice chancellor for medical affairs at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, aligning clinical care, research and education across the enterprise, making her one of a small number of physician executives serving in both roles. A physician leader in primary care and rural health, Dr. Page focuses on improving access, strengthening the workforce and improving outcomes in underserved communities. She has advanced rural residency programs, expanded community-based training models and built physician pipeline initiatives to address long-term workforce shortages across the state. Prior to her role as CEO, she was president of UNC Health Enterprises, leading systemwide strategy, partnerships and innovation efforts to support growth and transformation. As executive dean of UNC School of Medicine and chief academic officer for UNC Health, she oversaw clinical care, research and education across the enterprise, helping to strengthen alignment between academic excellence and community-based care delivery. Dr. Page is founder of “FIRST Scholars” program, a nationally recognized initiative designed to prepare the next generation of physicians while improving access to care in rural and underserved areas. A Morehead Scholar and lifelong North Carolinian, she is focused on advancing the system’s public mission to improve health across the state.
Kathy Parrinello, RN, PhD. President and CEO of Strong Memorial and Highland Hospitals (Rochester, N.Y.). Dr. Parrinello brings a combination of clinical expertise and executive leadership to her role within the University of Rochester Medical Center. A former nurse, she leverages her bedside experience to guide strategic decisions that prioritize patient care while advancing systemwide operational excellence. Over her tenure, Dr. Parrinello has led transformative efforts to expand access through community-based programs and managed care integration across nine hospitals in the UR Medicine system. Her leadership has been central to Strong Memorial’s continued recognition, including Magnet Hospital recertification and multiple Joint Commission certifications for specialized care.
Malisha Patel. Senior Vice President and CEO of Memorial Hermann Southwest and Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospitals (Houston). Ms. Patel oversees strategic development and daily operations for both Memorial Hermann Southwest and Memorial Hermann Sugar Land, managing financial performance, budget planning, facility expansion and community partnerships. She led a financial turnaround at Memorial Hermann Southwest, reversing negative cash flow and executing a $25 million improvement plan that exceeded goals in its first year, while increasing fiscal year revenue by 16% at Sugar Land and 9% at Southwest. Under her leadership, Memorial Hermann Sugar Land’s operating margin quadrupled over four years, and both campuses consistently surpassed national benchmarks for employee and physician engagement. Ms. Patel also advanced clinical integration and access to care, opened the system’s first community resource center, and serves as executive sponsor for the women leaders mentoring committee, supporting over 800 mentees. Her leadership, guided by trust, empathy and accountability has earned her recognition as Houston Business Journal’s “Most Admired CEO” and other prestigious awards.
Rozanna Penney. President and CEO of Heywood Hospital (Gardner, Mass.). Ms. Penney oversees the community hospital’s strategic development, quality and patient safety initiatives, financial stewardship, medical staff relations and community health advocacy. She is recognized for steering the hospital through Chapter 11 restructuring, achieving operational turnaround with $14 million in annualized savings, and expanding key service lines like inpatient mental health and surgical volumes. She champions health equity through programs like school-based telebehavioral health and the “Handle With Care” initiative for trauma-affected youth. As the first female CEO of Heywood and a Mass Hospital Association board member, Ms. Penney serves as a dedicated mentor advancing women in healthcare leadership and a community advocate addressing regional health disparities.
Amy Perry. President and CEO at Banner Health (Phoenix). Ms. Perry leads Banner Health, guiding transformation through health plan expansion, physician alignment, technology investments, groundbreaking research and digital innovation for its 33 academic, urban, rural and children’s hospitals, and hundreds of outpatient centers in six states. Under her leadership, the system expanded graduate medical education and deepened partnerships with University of Arizona and other institutions to grow the next generation of clinicians. The 231 graduating medical students are joining the system’s residency programs this summer. The system also performs the world’s most artificial heart implants and most heart transplants in Arizona, has earned National Cancer Institute university designation, and has a long multi-state partnership with Houston-based MD Anderson Cancer. The system is among the most advanced for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s research, and its Banner Academy cares for children with autism spectrum and emotional disabilities. It has one of the nation’s lowest physician burnout rates, a low employee voluntary turnover of 7% and high engagement scores. The system achieved over $300 million in efficiency gains in 2025, with annual revenue at $16 billion, as compared to $12.7 billion in 2022. A $1 billion technology, data and digital platform investment is now resulting in clinical, efficiency and productivity gains. Ms. Perry drives premium reimbursement strategies to support the 10-year vision of Banner Health being the most trusted health partner. Prior to joining the system in 2021, she was hospital division president and executive vice president at Morristown, N.J.-based Atlantic Health System, with record-setting quality and financial performance.
Tammy Peterman, MS, RN. President of the Kansas City Division, Executive Vice President, COO and CNO for The University of Kansas Health System (Kansas City). From her earliest days as a bedside nurse to her current role as president of the Kansas City Division for The University of Kansas Health System, Ms. Peterman has dedicated her career to advocating for patients, acting as a role model in healthcare, leading nurses, and inspiring others to improve the health of our community. She is responsible for day-to-day operations of all hospitals, hospital-based clinics, and outpatient services for The University of Kansas Health System. She is foundational to the engagement and smooth operation of more than 22,000 employees across more than 150 locations.
Lindsey Petrini. CEO of Piedmont Newton Hospital (Atlanta). Ms. Petrini manages the 107-bed Piedmont Newton Hospital, a community hospital serving Newton County and surrounding areas. The hospital provides 24-hour emergency services, women’s services, a level 3 NICU and an intensivist-staffed ICU. Since becoming CEO in August 2023, Ms. Petrini has expanded the medical staff by adding 10 new providers, including specialists in gastroenterology, cardiology, general surgery, rheumatology, neurology and endocrinology, improving local access to care. Under her leadership, the NICU was upgraded from level 2 to level 3, allowing the hospital to care for critically ill newborns closer to home. Ms. Petrini also led renovations of the ICU to better accommodate patients requiring dialysis, and introduced advanced technology like surgical robotics for orthopedic procedures and a 3T MRI for enhanced imaging. Previously, she held leadership roles at Wellstar North Fulton Hospital in Roswell, Ga., including COO and interim president. She serves as president of the American College of Healthcare Executives of Georgia for 2025 and holds board positions supporting Newton County initiatives.
Cathy Pimple, DNP. CEO at Newman Regional Health (Emporia, Kan.). Dr. Pimple has served as CEO of Newman Regional Health since 2023 and is the first woman to lead the 25-bed critical access hospital, which is recognized as a level 4 trauma center. A registered nurse by background, she has tackled the financial instability, workforce shortages and aging infrastructure facing rural hospitals in Kansas, where roughly 87% of rural hospitals operate with negative margins according to the Kansas Hospital Association. In September 2025, the hospital installed a high-speed CT scanner to enhance cardiac scoring and brain perfusion imaging, and added new all-in-one imaging arms in its cardiovascular lab. The hospital also earned reaccreditation for percutaneous coronary intervention from the American College of Cardiology, a rare designation for a critical access hospital. Dr. Pimple secured a strategic affiliation with Kansas City-based The University of Kansas Health System and Lawrence, Kan.-based LMH Health, expanding service lines while preserving the hospital’s independent governance. She secured a $100,000 grant to enhance maternal health services, as well as a grant of roughly $485,000 for the “Telehealth for Rural Health Equity” initiative to modernize telehealth. She also established a free laundry program for low-income families through the community care team. In addition, Dr. Pimple championed Emporia State University’s simulation hospital to strengthen nursing education and recruitment, and teaches there as an adjunct faculty member. She previously served as chief administrative officer and chief quality officer at Newman Regional Health.
Tammy Powers, BSN. CEO of Sutter Roseville (Calif.) Medical Center. Ms. Powers leads Sutter Roseville Medical Center, an acute-care hospital featuring a level 2 trauma center, level 3 NICU, and one of the largest rehabilitation institutes in Northern California. Since becoming CEO, Ms. Powers expanded the hospital’s graduate medical education program, enhancing physician training for the Sacramento region while driving operational improvements that increased patient transfers and boosted staff retention, especially among first-year employees. She champions community engagement through board service and as 2025 Sacramento “Go Red for Women” chair, raising awareness for heart disease and stroke prevention. Ms. Powers also supports advanced clinical technologies, including a hybrid operating room and expanded surgical capabilities, enabling comprehensive care close to home.
Lori Rakes. CEO of Piedmont Cartersville (Ga.) Medical Center. Ms. Rakes manages the 139-bed Piedmont Cartersville Medical Center, a nonprofit acute care hospital featuring a level 3 trauma center, certified primary stroke center, level 2 NICU, and specialized centers including a breast imaging center and advanced wound healing center. Under her leadership, the hospital completed a major expansion in 2024, adding a fourth floor and doubling the size of its central sterile processing department, increasing licensed beds to 139. Since becoming CEO in 2023, Ms. Rakes has strengthened the leadership team by adding experienced executives to drive growth and service line development. Passionate about community service, she played a key role in bringing “Project Search” to Piedmont Cartersville, supporting employment opportunities for young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. With over 27 years in healthcare and prior experience as COO, she emphasizes professional development and collaborative leadership to meet the growing healthcare demands of Bartow County.
Laura Ramos, MSN, RN. Chief Executive of Providence St. Jude Medical Center (Fullerton, Calif.). Ms. Ramos is the chief executive of Providence St. Jude Medical Center, a faith-based, not-for-profit hospital established nearly 70 years ago by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange. Known for her operational and clinical advancements, she assumed her current role in 2021. Prior, she served as the hospital’s COO, CNO and vice president of patient care services, leading the development of award-winning centers of excellence in areas ranging from neurosciences to orthopedics. She also built a Magnet-recognized nursing team that is a national leader in advanced education and certification. She is deeply committed to a values-rich work environment, as well as frontline-driven innovation and improvement.
Emily Randle. CEO at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center (Fountain Valley, Calif.). Ms. Randle, recently named as CEO of MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center, oversees the multi-service campus and its ambulatory network. She has played a key role in the hospital’s growth and modernization, leading significant capital investments and facility transformation in her previous role as COO, which she had held since 2012. Her leadership team’s focus on employee engagement and high-quality, safe care, resulted in impressive growth in many areas. These include caring for a significant portion of high acuity level patients and expanding the catheterization laboratory and sterile processing unit to serve volume increases. With high patient demand, she has led successful efforts in the management of critical throughput and patient lengths of stay. The work of Ms. Randle and her team resulted in many local, state and national accolades, including being named one of the “Best of Orange County Hospitals” by readers of The Orange County Register for 13 years and being named a top workplace for several years. Under her leadership, the hospital was listed as high-performing in 15 procedures and conditions by U.S. News & World Report, and as a best regional hospital for equitable access. The cardiology program earned seven consecutive 3-star ratings from Society of Thoracic Surgeons for excellence in coronary artery bypass grafting and multi-procedural cardiac surgery cases, becoming the first hospital in Orange County to receive this distinction. The movement disorders program has performed the most magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound procedures on the West Coast, and the hospital received California’s Maternal Quality Care Collaborative’s “Superstar Award” for medium birth volume hospitals.
Smitha Ravipudi. CEO of USC Care Medical Group and Ambulatory Care Services at Keck Medicine of USC (Los Angeles). Ms. Ravipudi is CEO of USC Care Medical Group, Keck Medicine of USC’s network of nearly 1,400 physicians who provide outpatient services and procedures. She also serves as CEO of Keck Medicine’s ambulatory care services. In these roles she is responsible for operations across more than 100 regional outpatient locations, as well as hospital-based clinics, department clinics and joint-venture partnerships. In fall 2025, she oversaw the opening of a 100,000-square-foot medical office building in Pasadena, Calif., the largest standalone clinic in the health system, offering more than 15 service lines along with an outpatient surgery center and imaging center. She also opened a new radiation oncology and imaging center in Newport Beach, Calif. in spring 2025, as well as a Las Vegas location that became the first in Nevada to offer in-state heart transplant services. Under her leadership, ambulatory care achieved record patient experience performance, reaching the top decile as measured by the Clinician & Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey. The ambulatory care service also deployed a digital intake solution across 76 clinic locations. Before joining Keck Medicine, Ms. Ravipudi was vice president of access and ambulatory operations at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
Denise Ray. CEO of Piedmont Mountainside Hospital (Jasper, Ga.) and CNO of Enterprise at Piedmont Healthcare (Atlanta). Ms. Ray was named CEO of Piedmont Mountainside Hospital in 2012, and has led the 76-bed acute-care community hospital ever since. Under her leadership, Piedmont Mountainside earned a 5-star rating from CMS in 2023 and opened a new 16-bed ICU in 2024, expanding its number of licensed beds to 76. Ms. Ray also oversees a freestanding emergency department in Ellijay, Ga., with plans to expand outpatient and specialty services into a new medical office building. She champions innovative workforce strategies, including flexible staffing models and a virtual nursing program that spans 17 hospitals. Her nurse residency program earned American Nurses Credentialing Center accreditation in 2025. Ms. Ray brings a strong record of operational and clinical leadership from her prior roles within the Piedmont system and the Chattanooga, Tenn.-based Erlanger Health System.
Michelle Riley-Brown. President and CEO at Children’s National Hospital (Washington, D.C.). Ms. Riley-Brown leads one of the nation’s top-ranked pediatric health systems, overseeing more than 8,000 employees dedicated to delivering care to children and families across the Washington, D.C. region. Since joining in July 2023, she has advanced priorities around clinical excellence, operational performance and patient experience while strengthening the organization’s national standing. She is responsible for the operations of the 323-bed acute care hospital, rehabilitation and specialized care services, and an expansive network of primary and specialty care locations. She is also tasked with guiding the strategic direction of the Children’s National Research Institute, home to more than 300 researchers. Previously, she played a transformative role at Houston-based Texas Children’s Hospital, where she led the development and launch of Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus and Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands. There, she also oversaw Texas Children’s Pediatrics, the nation’s largest pediatric primary care network. Ms. Riley-Brown champions community impact and health equity initiatives, including school-based health programs, mobile health services and systemwide advocacy through the Child Health Advocacy Institute. Children’s National Hospital has been continually ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, placing among the top 10 children’s hospitals and ranked in all specialties for the 14th consecutive year.
Laura Robertson. CEO of Banner Desert Medical Center, Banner Children’s at Desert (Mesa, Ariz.) and Banner Ocotillo Medical Center (Chandler, Ariz.). Ms. Robertson leads high-performing teams with impressive outcomes, balancing financial performance, quality, service and employee engagement. Her strategic focus on organizational culture, patient-centered care and optimization propel the hospitals’ success, implementing continuous improvement initiatives and achieving aggressive growth goals. She oversees three prominent hospitals. Banner Desert’s large hospital campus has 763 beds, 3,600 employees, 1,900 medical staff, a level 1 trauma center and a net revenue of $1 billion. It also includes Banner Children’s 260-bed, 7-story specialty hospital, a leader in pediatric care and several specialties. Ms. Robertson has helped usher in significant growth in adult and pediatric programs, resulting in impressive clinical outcomes and increased market share. Among these accomplishments are a seven-story women’s tower, a structural heart initiative, a pediatric integrative cancer center, and an expansion in graduate medical education to add more residents and fellows. As Banner Ocotillo CEO, she launched a new 124-bed community hospital in 2020 in a competitive market. Its two-year vision-to-reality opening plan succeeded despite pandemic challenges, incorporating high-end technology into all aspects of care and an ambulatory surgery center to drive complex problem-solving and expanded patient accessibility and care. Under her leadership, the hospitals all had remarkable growth across all service lines, operational enhancements and expense control measures escalating net income year-over-year, resulting in continuing strong margins.
Darlene Rodowicz. President and CEO of Berkshire Health System (Pittsfield, Mass.). Ms. Rodowicz brings decades of financial and operational expertise to her role as president and CEO of Berkshire Health Systems, where she leads a network of hospitals and clinics serving Western Massachusetts. In 2024, she oversaw the highly anticipated reopening of North Adams (Mass.) Regional Hospital, 10 years after its closure, revitalizing access to care for thousands and restoring essential services in a rural community. That same year, she launched the BHS Nurse Line, a community-facing initiative that offers real-time clinical guidance, helping patients navigate the healthcare system efficiently and appropriately. Focused on long-term sustainability, Ms. Rodowicz has championed a career pathway program that has trained and onboarded hundreds of healthcare professionals. She earned recognition from The Women’s Edge as one of Massachusetts’ most extraordinary women in healthcare for 2023.
Margaret Roley. CEO at South Baldwin Regional Medical Center (Foley, Ala.). Ms. Roley has led hospital initiatives that drive the quality of patient care at South Baldwin since 2006, first as CNO and since early 2022 as CEO. Known for leadership in spearheading significant developments and expansions, she embarked on an over $200 million hospital expansion project. Her team of 1,200 employees and network of medical clinics had more than 409,000 encounters in its hospital, outpatient clinics and physician offices. In addition to two locations to access 24/7 emergency care, residents can access 22 outpatient access points. Under her leadership, South Baldwin has earned multiple Leapfrog “A” safety grades and high CMS star hospital ratings.
Joanne Ruggiero, DNP. Senior Vice President and CEO at Jackson Memorial Medical Center (Miami). Dr. Ruggiero oversees all daily operations for Jackson Health System’s flagship hospital, Jackson Memorial Hospital, along with the Miami Transplant Institute, Ryder Trauma Center, Miami Burn Center, Jackson Heart Institute, Holtz Children’s Hospital, The Women’s Hospital at Jackson Memorial, Jackson Behavioral Health Hospital and Ambulatory Care Center West. Her responsibilities include strategic planning, operational leadership, workforce development and advancing clinical excellence across all service lines, working closely with physician leaders at the University of Miami Health System. Since joining the system in 2021, initially as CNO and COO at Holtz Children’s Hospital and The Women’s Hospital, she became CEO less than a year later before advancing to her current role. Drawing on her foundation as a frontline nurse, she prioritizes staff engagement, patient safety and best practices in care delivery, and she has championed health equity and growth initiatives, positioning the hospitals as regional leaders in maternal-child care. Earlier, at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia, she led initiatives that resulted in one-third of her nursing staff pursuing higher education and played a pivotal role in achieving the organization’s first Magnet designation, later guiding her department to a second Magnet certification.
Kimberly Russo. CEO of OSF HealthCare’s Central Region (Peoria, Ill.). Ms. Russo has ownership of operations for three Peoria-based facilities: OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center, the largest medical center in the state outside the Chicago area; OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois, the only full-service pediatric hospital in the state outside Chicago; and OSF HealthCare Divine Mercy Continuing Care Hospital, which combined employ more than 11,300 people and served nearly 280,000 patients in fiscal year 2025. She also oversees the three OSF HealthCare Institutes dedicated to cancer, cardiovascular and neurological care. Ms. Russo is one of the executive sponsors of the 10-year “Destination OSF” strategy to strengthen systemwide capabilities in high-acuity, high-complexity cancer, heart, neurological and pediatric care. Through investments in advanced technologies, clinical talent, research collaborations and integrated care models, the strategy aims to elevate the system’s national profile. Before joining OSF, Ms. Russo was CEO of George Washington University Hospital in Washington, D.C., and group vice president for the D.C. region of King of Prussia, Pa.-based Universal Health Services, work recently honored with the “Matthew F. McNulty Award” 2025. She is also a three-time recipient of “150 Most Powerful Women” recognition by Washingtonian and a recipient of the Universal Health Services “Chairman’s Council Award.”
Vicky Sabharwal. Vice President and CEO at Jackson Behavioral Health Hospital (Miami). Ms. Sabharwal oversees one of the nation’s largest and most comprehensive public academic psychiatric programs as CEO of Jackson Behavioral Health Hospital, leading the 200-bed facility and its full continuum of mental health and substance-abuse services, including crisis stabilization, inpatient care, outpatient programs and residential treatment. Her leadership also extends to the Jackson Community Mental Health Center, ensuring coordinated behavioral health services within a safety-net hospital framework. She is responsible for setting transformational strategy across the institution and guiding a multidisciplinary workforce of psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, social workers, therapists, counselors and case managers. Ms. Sabharwal assumed the CEO role in 2022 after serving as CFO and COO at the hospital, where she helped stabilize operations and improve efficiency across clinical programs. Earlier in her career within the health system, she served as director of finance for ambulatory and primary care services and the system’s two nursing homes, and as a senior financial analyst at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. Before joining the system, she spent a decade at Medco Health Solutions, advancing from project manager to senior business manager.
Susan Sales. CEO at NYC Health + Hospitals/Gouverneur (New York City). Ms. Sales serves as CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Gouverneur, where she is responsible for administering the operations and activities of the 255-bed nursing home. She successfully managed a $28 million operating budget and oversaw a successful accreditation survey by the Joint Commission. Under her leadership, the nursing facility returned more than 300 patients to the community following rehabilitation. Ms. Sales had served as associate executive director since February 2016 before her appointment as CEO. She brings more than 25 years of experience working in healthcare in the Greater New York area. Her earlier positions include roles at Bronx, N.Y.-based Montefiore Health System and Schaffer Extended Care Center, Sound Shore Medical Center of Westchester in New Rochelle, N.Y., Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. and The New York Hospital/Cornell Medical Center in New York City.
Amy Sampson. President and CEO at Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters Health System (Norfolk, Va.). Ms. Sampson provides enterprisewide leadership for Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters Health System, a nonprofit pediatric system whose holdings include the 266-bed Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters, the state’s only freestanding, full-service children’s hospital, a level 1 pediatric trauma center, 19 primary care pediatric practices, three urgent care centers and two outpatient surgery centers, supported by more than 4,500 team members and physicians. The system admits approximately 5,000 children annually and records more than 760,000 visits each year, serving a population of more than 500,000 children across southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina. With 36 years of service to the organization since joining in 1990 as director of public relations, Ms. Sampson led critical enterprise functions including strategic planning, government relations, philanthropy and patient experience before becoming CEO. Her most dynamic contribution has been developing mental health services across the full continuum of care, culminating in Children’s Pavilion, a 60-bed inpatient and outpatient mental health hospital for children and adolescents that opened in October 2022. She also led the “Lighting the Way” philanthropic campaign, which secured $85 million for the system’s mental health initiative. A steadfast advocate for reimbursement stability given the system’s high Medicaid utilization, Ms. Sampson has been recognized on “The Virginia 500 Power List” by Virginia Business in 2024 and 2025, and serves on the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association executive committee.
Maureen Schneider, PhD, RN. Senior Vice President at Atlantic Health and Interim President and CEO at Atlantic Health CentraState Medical Center (Freehold, N.J.). Dr. Schneider stepped into the role of interim president and CEO of Atlantic Health CentraState Medical Center in spring 2026, after spending five years as president of Atlantic Health Chilton Medical Center in Pequannock, N.J. In her current position, she is directly responsible for overseeing all operations and ensuring the quality, safety and financial integrity of the 284-bed acute care hospital, an ambulatory campus, numerous satellite pavilions and access points throughout central New Jersey, a charitable foundation and more than 2,500 employees. A member of CentraState’s board of trustees since 2022, she brings an in-depth understanding of the organization’s strategic direction and has played a key governance role in its sustained growth, including the expansion of key service lines and improved access for the growing population. As president of Atlantic Health Chilton from 2021 to 2026, Dr. Schneider led the Magnet-designated community hospital, which she joined in 2014 as chief nurse and operations officer with responsibility for all inpatient and outpatient units at the 260-bed facility. A sought-after national consultant and adjunct professor, Dr. Schneider is a Johnson and Johnson Executive Wharton Fellow.
Christine Schuster, RN. President and CEO at Emerson Health (Concord, Mass.). Ms. Schuster serves as president and CEO of Emerson Health, a regional healthcare system recognized for clinical excellence, patient safety and community-based care. There, she oversees systemwide performance including hospital operations, outpatient services and workforce development. As the longest-sitting hospital CEO in Massachusetts, she has led the organization for nearly two decades, transforming it into a high-performing, independent community health system while advancing a career path that began as an ICU nurse. Emerson Health continues to earn 5-star ratings from CMS and top safety recognition from The Leapfrog Group. Over the past year, Ms. Schuster led Emerson to become the first hospital in Massachusetts to introduce Xcite2, an advanced neuro-rehabilitation technology that helps patients recovering from stroke and spinal cord injuries regain mobility through targeted electrical stimulation. She also oversaw the launch of a comprehensive center for weight loss that integrates medical treatments, endoscopic procedures and bariatric surgery into a coordinated, physician-led model. A past chair of the Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association, Ms. Schuster has worked with state leaders and policymakers on issues ranging from workforce shortages to reducing administrative burden, and she was named one of the “150 Most Influential Bostonians” by Boston Magazine.
Stephanie Schwartz. Senior Vice President at Atlantic Health and President of Atlantic Health Overlook Medical Center (Summit, N.J.) and Interim President of Atlantic Health Chilton Medical Center (Pompton Plains, N.J.). Ms. Schwartz has served as president of Atlantic Health Overlook Medical Center since 2021, leading the 513-bed hospital through multiple phases of an ongoing plan that has transformed more than 80% of its patient care areas to date. A highlight is the East Building, a three-story expansion providing updated spaces for maternity care, cardiology, critical care and neuroscience. The hospital is home to the Atlantic Neuroscience Institute, a national leader in spine and neuroscience care that was named the first comprehensive stroke center in New Jersey and was the first in the nation to offer telestroke in an ambulance. Ms. Schwartz joined Morristown, N.J.-based Atlantic Health in 2016 as president of Atlantic Health Chilton Medical Center in Pequannock, N.J., and in 2026 she was named interim president at Chilton in addition to her duties at Overlook Medical Center. Under her leadership, Overlook Medical Center achieved Magnet with Distinction recognition in April 2025 from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, an honor only 58 hospitals in the country have achieved, and it has held an “A” grade from the Leapfrog Group since spring 2021. She was the 2024 recipient of the “Distinguished Service Award” from the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Annette Seabrook. Vice President, Orlando (Fla.) Health and President of Orlando Health Advanced Rehabilitation Institute. Ms. Seabrook has led the Orlando Health Advanced Rehabilitation Institute to national recognition for clinical excellence and workplace culture. Under her leadership, the institute has earned designation by Newsweek as one of America’s best physical rehabilitation facilities multiple times and has earned rankings in the top 15% nationally by U.S. News & World Report. The facility also received the highest-level reaccreditation from the Commission for Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities in multiple specialties, including spinal cord injury, stroke, brain injury and adolescent rehabilitation. She helped expand the scope of services through a key partnership with Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, enabling care for patients as young as eight years old. She also oversaw the institute’s transition to a freestanding hospital, fostering a unique organizational identity and culture that has propelled employee engagement to the top quartile systemwide.
Hollie Seeley, RN. CEO at California Pacific Medical Center (San Francisco). California Pacific Medical Center is nationally recognized for delivering high-quality, compassionate care across specialties that include women’s health, orthopedics, neuroscience, transplant and cancer care. Under Ms. Seeley’s leadership, California Pacific Medical Center continues to earn distinction across its campuses, including recognition of the Van Ness Campus among “America’s Best Hospitals for Specialized Care” by Newsweek, while the Davies Campus ranked No. 1 in California for rehabilitation services for the second consecutive year. Its Mission Bernal Campus & Orthopedic Institute was also named to Forbes‘ “Top Hospitals” list, underscoring systemwide clinical strength. Ms. Seeley has more than 30 years of healthcare experience, including nearly two decades as a nurse in emergency and trauma services. Her clinical background informs a leadership approach grounded in patient-centered care and operational excellence.
Rebecca Segal. President and CEO of Fauquier Health (Warrenton, Va.). As Ms. Segal stepped into Fauquier Health as CEO in 2022, the 97-bed hospital faced a range of challenges that she quickly prioritized. Alongside operational leaders, she implemented targeted clinical quality programs that led to a dramatic drop in preventable harms, patient falls and pressure injuries. Her efforts also saw a 30% increase in employee engagement scores. Fauquier Health then achieved back-to-back “A” hospital safety grades from The Leapfrog Group in 2024, following a prior “D” rating. That same year, the hospital was named a “Top General Hospital” by Leapfrog, making it Virginia’s only recipient. Ms. Segal’s transformative approach led her to be honored with Brentwood, Tenn.-based Lifepoint Health’s prestigious “Fleetwood Award” in 2025.
M. Sandra Severe. Senior Vice President and CEO at Jackson North Medical Center (Miami). Ms. Severe oversees all daily operations of Jackson North Medical Center, a 382-bed acute care hospital affiliated with Miami-based Jackson Health System. Her responsibilities include strategic leadership, operational oversight, financial stewardship, workforce development and ensuring alignment with the broader mission of the system. After joining the system in 2014, she rose to become COO of Miami’s Jackson Memorial Hospital and ultimately CEO of Jackson North Medical Center. As COO of the system’s flagship facility, she provided administrative oversight for the $100 million construction of the UHealth Jackson Critical Care Pavilion, which added 79 ICU beds. During the Covid-19 pandemic, she served as the executive lead for laboratory operations, helping design and manage a testing infrastructure that delivered nearly 200,000 tests to patients, employees and physicians. Earlier in her career, Ms. Severe directed the early intervention program at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami. She now serves as an adjunct professor at Florida International University.
Lisa Shannon. President and CEO at Allina Health (Minneapolis). Ms. Shannon became president and CEO of Allina Health in January 2022, leading a multistate health system with more than 27,000 employees, more than 90 clinics and 12 hospital campuses. She leads enterprise strategy and overall performance, working with the board to advance integration, operating discipline and long-range transformation across quality, workforce and financial sustainability. She has committed to advancing population health and delivering value-based care, with the goal of improving health rather than simply treating illness. Ms. Shannon ushered Allina Health into a partnership with population health company Navvis, focused on hospital throughput and capacity, reducing length of stay for patients needing skilled nursing facilities and improving overall patient flow. She is also steadfast in her commitment to sustainability, signing the “Health Care Climate Challenge” in 2022 with goals of a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050. Ms. Shannon began a three-year term on the American Hospital Association’s board of trustees in January 2025.
Kathleen Silard, MSN, RN. President and CEO of Stamford (Conn.) Health. Ms. Silard is the president and CEO of Stamford Health, where she oversees the 305-bed acute care hospital, a large ambulatory network and the Foundation for Stamford Health. She is tasked with high-level strategy creation and execution, operational decision making, financial management and human resources. In recent years, she has overseen the complete renovation and reimagining of Stamford Health’s Whittingham Pavilion, where services for women and children are centralized, as well as the creation of a new strategic plan for behavioral health services. Before assuming the system president and CEO position, she was the executive vice president and COO for Stamford Hospital since 2003.
Erika Skula. President and CEO of AdventHealth Ocala (Fla.). Ms. Skula leads AdventHealth Ocala with oversight of capital investments, service line growth and quality outcomes. She has strengthened financial performance while expanding access to care, including the opening of a 60,000-square-foot medical office building housing key specialties. She also advanced workforce development with a $3 million investment in scholarships and equipment at the College of Central Florida, helping address the region’s health care needs and building a strong pipeline of clinical talent.
Sandra Sneed. CEO at NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull (Brooklyn, N.Y.). Ms. Sneed serves as CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull, where she is charged with assembling an exceptional clinical team to deliver high-quality care for the patients of Williamsburg and surrounding communities. She brings more than 20 years of senior leadership experience overseeing operations for hospitals across the country, with a strong record of expanding access to services while reducing wait times for patients. Her priorities include building strong teams, innovating, and supporting longtime staff in doing their jobs even better. Before joining Woodhull, Ms. Sneed served as COO of Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood, Fla., a 700-bed level 1 trauma center. Earlier, she was vice president of operations and support services officer at Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital. She also served as interim COO at Howard University Hospital in Washington, D.C., and vice president of operations at Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center in Toledo, Ohio.
Tonya Sosebee, MSN, RN. President and CNO at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Azle. Ms. Sosebee serves as president and CNO at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Azle. As a key member of the entity leadership team, she was responsible for leading Reliable Care BlueprintingTM initiatives both locally and at the system level, and actively participates in workforce planning to ensure efficient staffing levels in all departments. She brings more than 30 years of nursing experience, including over two decades in leadership roles. Ms. Sosebee began her career as a staff nurse at Cook Children’s Healthcare System in Fort Worth, Texas. She joined Texas Health Azle in 2013 as the director of the medical-surgical and ICU and more recently, served as associate CNO.
Deanna Sperling, RN. President and CEO at RWJBarnabas Health Behavioral Health Center (Toms River, N.J.). Ms. Sperling is president and CEO of RWJBarnabas Health Behavioral Health Center, a 100-bed freestanding psychiatric facility offering inpatient and outpatient mental health services. She also serves as senior vice president for the West Orange, N.J.-based system’s behavioral health service line, overseeing behavioral health services at all RWJBarnabas Health hospitals and facilities. Working closely with Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care, Ms. Sperling emphasizes training staff to deliver trauma-informed care. She is responsible for bridging the gap between behavioral health and non-behavioral health services, incorporating behavioral healthcare as soon as an individual enters the emergency room in any system hospital. A nurse by training, she initiated a nurse-specific mentorship program that remains active today. She has also been a member of the RWJBarnabas Health Women’s Leadership Alliance since its creation. Ms. Sperling began her career with Barnabas Health as a registered nurse in 1985 and was named the 2024 “Women of Vision Honoree” by the Girl Scouts and the 2025 “Women’s Advocate of the Year” by the Ocean County Advisory Commission on the Status of Women.
Johnese Spisso. President of UCLA Health, CEO of UCLA Hospital System and Associate Vice Chancellor of UCLA Health Sciences (Los Angeles). Ms. Spisso is responsible for all aspects of UCLA Health, one of the most comprehensive and advanced health systems in the world, comprising five hospitals and an expansive network of nearly 300 primary and specialty care clinics throughout Southern California. She assumed the position in 2016 and has more than 40 years of experience, having guided growth to nearly 300 clinics, advanced key acquisitions including the addition of the system’s fifth hospital, and launched the UCLA Health Homeless Healthcare Collaborative in 2022. In 2021, UCLA Health acquired a closed hospital that is being converted into the UCLA Resnick Mental Health Campus, which will expand the system’s psychiatric bed capacity by 61%, with construction scheduled for completion later this year. She also led collaborations with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health to expand Medi-Cal coverage to all ages for hospitalized psychiatric patients. For 36 consecutive years, UCLA Health has earned a place on the U.S. News & World Report “Best Hospitals Honor Roll,” a distinction reserved for only 20 hospitals or systems out of nearly 5,000 evaluated, and in 2025 it ranked No. 1 in both California and Los Angeles. She was named the 2026 “Women of Influence: Health Care” by the Los Angeles Business Journal. Ms. Spisso is on the Hospital Association of Southern California board of directors and sits on the boards of Vizient and The Music Center of Los Angeles County.
Julie J. Sprengel. California President for CommonSpirit’s Dignity Health (San Francisco). Ms. Sprengel leads the largest operating region for CommonSpirit Health, providing care to nearly 10 million Californians each year, the equivalent of around one out of every four Californians. With $12 billion in annual revenue, the California Region contributes $1.5 billion annually in charity care and community benefits. Bringing more than two decades of significant healthcare leadership experience, Ms. Sprengel advances the clinical workforce with a focus on quality, safety and experience, and strengthens care delivery through sustainable growth initiatives. Her focus on improving population health includes managing one million lives as part of value-based care arrangements and utilizing a state-of-the-art transfer center to address repatriation. She oversees 48,000 dedicated employees and more than 10,000 physicians who serve across 29 hospitals and 250 ambulatory care sites. A champion for equity and inclusion, Ms. Sprengel paved the way for Morehouse School of Medicine to expand graduate medical education for underrepresented clinicians in key California communities, increasing the program to more than 650 residents. She is also the 2026 board chair for the California Hospital Association, which represents about 400 hospitals in the state.
Caitlin Beck Stella. CEO of Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital (Hollywood, Fla.). Ms. Stella, whose chief career focus is children’s healthcare, joined Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital as CEO in 2018 with the goal of aiding the hospital in its growth. Prior to this role, she served as chief administrative officer for Los Angeles-based UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital and Women’s Health. There, she created a systemic approach for the expansion of Southern California’s children’s health services and developed the “Everyday Wish Fund” at Mattel, which grants daily wishes to children at the hospital.
Pam Stewart. CEO at Washington County Regional Medical Center (Sandersville, Ga.). Ms. Stewart leads operations, growth and decision-making at Washington County Regional Medical Center, which encompasses a 56-bed hospital, a 60-bed extended care facility, and several clinics and outpatient service centers. A second-generation employee, she began working there in 1992 early in her nursing career and advanced to roles including director of nursing and CNO over the next 20 years. In 2012, she joined The Joint Commission as a nurse surveyor, gaining deep insight into accreditation standards before returning to the medical center as CEO in 2023. A Stage 4 glioblastoma multiforme survivor who was diagnosed in 2017, she founded the Pam Stewart Cancer Foundation to raise money and awareness for brain cancer research. Working with managing partner Aletheia Health Partners, she has led a financial turnaround and service line growth that moved the once at-risk rural hospital onto the Chartis 2026 “Top 100 Rural and Community Hospitals” list. The medical center opened a new emergency department in spring 2026 and recently expanded its orthopedic surgery services. It earned a “Platinum Safety Award” from the Georgia Hospital Association Workers’ Compensation Self-Insurance Fund for 2024.
Cindy Ann Stout, DNP, RN. President and CEO of El Paso (Texas) Children’s Hospital. Dr. Stout is responsible for the operations, budget, development, and strategy for the 122-bed nonprofit El Paso Children’s Hospital. She played a key role in bringing specialized pediatric care to the region, where it was once typical to travel out of town to receive treatment. She has more than 25 years of experience in healthcare environments and is past chairman for the Children’s Hospital Association of Texas Board of Directors. In 2023, she was named one of El Paso Inc.‘s “Women of Impact”.
Debbie Streier. Regional President and CEO of Avera Marshall (Minn.) Regional Medical Center. Following a national search, Ms. Streier was named regional president and CEO for Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center in February 2021. She is also responsible for leading Avera Tyler (Minn.) and Avera Granite Falls (Minn.) Health Center. Ms. Streier was chosen for her ability to synthesize the system’s mission into strategic plans, form beneficial relationships and compile talented teams. Prior to her current role, she served in operations at Avera St. Luke’s in Aberdeen, S.D.
Robyn H. Strosaker, MD. Market President and COO at University Hospitals (Cleveland). Dr. Strosaker serves as a market president and COO at University Hospitals, a comprehensive health system with annual revenues of $7 billion, more than 32,000 employees, 21 hospitals, and more than 50 health centers and outpatient facilities across 16 counties in Northeast Ohio. She has overall responsibility for the strategic and operational management of UH TriPoint Medical Center in Painesville, Ohio, UH Lake West Medical Center in Willoughby, Ohio and UH Beachwood (Ohio) Medical Center, plus two critical access hospitals, UH Geneva (Ohio) Medical Center and UH Conneaut (Ohio) Medical Center. Dr. Strosaker led the integration of those medical centers and Lake Health Physician Group, formerly part of Concord Township, Ohio-based Lake Health, into the system, restructuring leadership and executing a $210 million capital investment while improving quality and operational efficiency. Her operational improvements include creating a heart and vascular center of excellence at UH Lake West Medical Center and a new regional cancer hub at UH TriPoint Medical Center, as well as re-establishing level 2 special care nursery services and expanding a level 3 trauma center expected to keep and care for 90% of trauma patients rather than transferring them. She also redesigned the ICU model of care to provide 24/7 onsite critical care-trained providers and created a telemedicine inpatient consult and hospital medicine program. Dr. Strosaker previously served as COO and chief medical officer of University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center. She was named a Crain’s Cleveland Business “Notable Leader in Health Care” in 2021.
Debra F. Sukin, PhD. President and CEO at Texas Children’s Hospital (Houston). Dr. Sukin leads the nation’s largest, most comprehensive pediatric and women’s health system, advancing a strategy focused on clinical excellence, innovation and expanded access to care. Since assuming the CEO role, she has driven a nearly $700 million financial turnaround while strengthening operational discipline and positioning Texas Children’s for long-term growth. Under her leadership, Texas Children’s has launched and rapidly scaled transformative initiatives, including the Texas Children’s Research Institute, now supporting hundreds of clinical trials and accelerating translational discovery, and “Texas Children’s Experience,” the organization’s commitment to being a destination for patients, families and healthcare professionals. She also led a historic collaboration with Houston-based The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to establish the Kinder Children’s Cancer Center, advancing pediatric cancer care, research and education. A strong advocate for culture and workforce engagement, she has driven measurable improvements in employee engagement and established the Texas Children’s “HEART” values across the organization. Under her leadership, Texas Children’s continues to rank No. 1 in Texas for the 17th consecutive year and among the nation’s top pediatric hospitals, with all 10 specialties ranked in the top 10 nationally by U.S. News & World Report. Dr. Sukin serves on the Texas Hospital Association board of trustees, the American Hospital Association’s maternal and child health committee, and the Greater Houston Partnership board of directors.
Pamela Sutton-Wallace. President at Yale New Haven (Conn.) Health. Ms. Sutton-Wallace serves as president of Yale New Haven Health, where she leads operations of the health system and drives its enterprise strategy to align and strengthen service lines across hospitals and ambulatory facilities. She has been instrumental in driving alignment with Yale School of Medicine and was a key architect in developing the system’s first joint strategic plan with the school. Ms. Sutton-Wallace leads the “Strengthening Our CORE” effort, an initiative focused on collaboration, optimization, resiliency and efficiency that guides a multidisciplinary team and more than 40 individual projects to optimize resources and accelerate growth and access. She also co-leads the “Access 365” initiative, which implements improved scheduling templates and self-scheduling capabilities and leverages technology to track patients’ care and notify them of available appointments. A strong advocate for women in the workforce, she actively mentors 10 to 15 women at a time across varying career stages and serves on the board of the Carol Emmott Foundation. Ms. Sutton-Wallace previously served as group senior vice president and COO at New York City-based New York-Presbyterian for the Weill Cornell Division, as CEO of the Charlottesville-based University of Virginia Medical Center, and in various roles over 17 years at Durham, N.C.-based Duke University Health System.
Lisa Tank, MD. President and Chief Hospital Executive at Hackensack Meridian Hackensack (N.J.) University Medical Center. Dr. Tank serves as president and chief hospital executive of Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center, leading the 803-bed academic flagship of Edison, N.J.-based Hackensack Meridian Health. The medical center was the first hospital in New Jersey and second in the nation to become a Magnet-recognized hospital for nursing excellence, receiving its seventh consecutive designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center this year. A seasoned clinical and operational leader with more than 20 years of experience, Dr. Tank focuses on patient safety and quality, growth and innovation, finance and human experience, and she has implemented high reliability organization training across leadership and team members. Under her leadership, U.S. News & World Report ranks the medical center as the first New Jersey hospital listed as a top 20 hospital nationally and No. 1 in the state, and total operating revenue grew 8% year over year from November 2024 to November 2025. Current initiatives include a virtual nursing program, an enhanced recovery after surgery program, the use of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation, a perioperative optimization program piloted in orthopedics and a new maternal mental health center. In a previous role, Dr. Tank spearheaded development of the medical center’s geriatrics program, elevating it to level 3 certification from the Patient-Centered Medical Home Program and earning the first Joint Commission disease specific certification for delirium nationally. She previously served as acting president and chief hospital executive and as senior vice president and HMH regional chief medical officer for the Northern Region.
Sarah Teaff, PhD. CEO of Patterson Health Center (Anthony, Kan.). In her role as CEO of Patterson Health Center, Dr. Teaff ensures quality, affordable and consistent patient care delivery. She is a staunch advocate for patient safety. She is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Traci Thibodeaux. CEO at Beauregard Health System (DeRidder, La.). Ms. Thibodeaux serves as CEO of Beauregard Health System, a nonprofit, community-owned organization in DeRidder, La., where she provides strategic and operational leadership to meet the evolving healthcare needs of the rural community it serves. She guides long-term initiatives that strengthen access to care by securing sustainable funding, identifying growth opportunities and establishing partnerships, while prioritizing internal culture, workforce engagement, recruitment and retention. A strong advocate for the strategic use of technology, she led a sepsis-reduction effort incorporating an FDA-approved diagnostic test for early detection, making Beauregard the first hospital in Southwest Louisiana to offer the capability. She advanced the system’s digital transformation by integrating Artera’s AI-powered patient communication platform and a prescription engagement solution from DrFirst within the EHR, improving communication and supporting medication adherence. She serves as the southwest district trustee on the Louisiana Hospital Association board of trustees and is a fellow of the American College of Health Data Management. Ms. Thibodeaux’s honors include the Louisiana Hospital Association’s “Drive to Excellence and Engagement Award,” the Louisiana Quality Network’s “Kaplan Award” and the American College of Healthcare Executives’ “Middle Careerist” award.
Nicole Thomas. Hospital President of Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville (Fla.). Since September 2021, Ms. Thomas has served as hospital president of Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville, where she is responsible for the operational and strategic direction of the 513-bed hospital. She has been recognized for her leadership many times, including being named a “Woman of Vision” by Girls Inc. and a “Woman of Distinction” by the Northeast Florida Girl Scout Council. Ms. Thomas first joined Baptist Health in 2011 and became president of Baptist Medical Center South in 2016, making her the first woman and first African American to lead a Baptist Health hospital. She serves on the board of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta and is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Linda Thorpe. CEO of East Morgan County Hospital (Phoenix). Ms. Thorpe accepted the role of CEO for Banner Health’s East Morgan County Hospital in 2012. However, she has been working with Banner Health for much longer, having initially joined in 1992. She began serving as CFO in 2003, and has played a key role in the facility’s decision making process throughout the years. In her CEO role, she places emphasis on relationship development amongst patients, providers and community stakeholders.
Amanda Thrash. President of Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Allen. Ms. Thrash serves as president of Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Allen, where she oversees operations for the 88-bed facility serving one of the fastest-growing communities in Texas. Since her promotion to president in July 2022, she has driven significant improvements in quality and financial performance, earning high scores in clinical indicators, mortality and patient satisfaction, including a 90th percentile rating on Press Ganey surveys. Known for her servant leadership style, Ms. Thrash is widely regarded as an approachable, mission-driven executive who prioritizes meaningful staff engagement and community responsiveness. She has led major expansions in cardiovascular and sports medicine services, delivering top-quartile results in patient outcomes and employee engagement. Previously, she served as vice president of professional and support services at Texas Health Plano, where she directed pandemic response operations and achieved double-digit growth across surgical and robotic programs. Ms. Thrash was honored as “Young Healthcare Executive of the Year” by the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council in 2023.
Roberta Tinch. President of Inova Mount Vernon Hospital and Vice President and Administrator of Inova Medicine Service Line (Falls Church, Va.). Ms. Tinch is an accomplished healthcare executive with nearly two decades of experience leading hospital operations and employee relations. She currently oversees a 237-bed hospital and all of Inova’s orthopedic and rehabilitation services. Ms. Tinch has guided the hospital through an overhaul of its physician program, transitioning the facility’s clinical care model, spearheading facility expansions and adaptation of new technologies and treatment modalities and more. She has served as vice chair of Families Forward of Virginia’s board and finance committee, an organization dedicated to disrupting the cycles of child abuse, neglect and poverty, since 2020.
Dawn Trompeter. President of OSF HealthCare Saint Elizabeth Medical Center (Peru and Ottawa, Ill.). Ms. Trompeter is president of OSF HealthCare Saint Elizabeth Medical Center with campuses in Peru and Ottawa, Ill. Her leadership was pivotal during a time of community need, as she led the rapid expansion of emergency and outpatient services following the unexpected closure of a local hospital in Peru. Under her direction, the hospital swiftly introduced accessible care options, including urgent care, primary care, digital care, OB/GYN, occupational health and rehabilitation services. Her work has directly contributed to OSF Saint Elizabeth being named one of the 2025 “Top 100 Rural & Community Hospitals” by The Chartis Center for Rural Health, recognizing its excellence in performance and patient care. In fiscal year 2024, the two campuses employed nearly 800, served over 82,000 patients, and recorded more than 40,000 emergency department visits.
Kari Vargas. CEO of AdventHealth Central Florida Division’s Northwest Market (Altamonte Springs, Fla.). Ms. Vargas is responsible for the strategic vision and oversight of system operations in the northwest market, which includes hospitals and ERs in Apopka, Altamonte Springs, Clermont and Lake Mary. Ms. Vargas directs AdventHealth’s growth strategy in these rapidly growing markets. Under her leadership, AdventHealth is also building new facilities in Minneola and Orlando’s Millenia community. Her expertise in business development and physician relations has been pivotal to the system expanding access, specialty services, and inpatient and outpatient care to burgeoning regions. Ms. Vargas’ passion for community health extends to her volunteer roles with the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, Foundation for a Healthier West Orange and the American Heart Association.
Prathibha Varkey, MBBS. President of Mayo Clinic Health System (Rochester, Minn.). Dr. Varkey leads a vast network of 16 hospitals and 50 clinics across 39 predominantly rural communities in Minnesota and Wisconsin, guiding over 13,000 employees with a vision of transforming Mayo Clinic Health System into a “category-of-one” rural health leader. She has overseen major facility expansions in Mankato, Minn. and La Crosse, Wis., integrating advanced digital and telehealth solutions to enhance access and patient experience. Under her leadership, Mayo Clinic Health System launched an integrated command center and unified operations across sites, improving responsiveness and care coordination. Her focus on workforce development has led to partnerships that trained allied health professionals and strengthened top-ranked residency programs. Dr. Varkey also champions rural research and innovation, securing extramural grants and launching community symposia to tackle rural health challenges collaboratively.
Deborah Visconi. President and CEO of Bergen New Bridge Medical Center (Paramus, N.J.). Ms. Visconi leads New Jersey’s largest hospital and the state’s most comprehensive safety-net facility, overseeing all operations across Bergen New Bridge Medical Center’s 1,070 beds, including acute care, behavioral health, long-term care and outpatient services. Since 2017, Ms. Visconi transformed the medical center into a community destination hospital, expanding outpatient services, diversifying the payer mix and establishing contracts with managed care companies to improve access for underserved populations. She advanced integration of behavioral and primary care, launched Northern New Jersey’s first LGBTQ+ wellness center, and secured designation as a veterans community care provider. Under her leadership, Bergen New Bridge earned disease-specific certification in depression care from The Joint Commission. Ms. Visconi’s career trajectory has taken her from phlebotomist to CEO.
Anjali Vyas, MD. Senior Vice President at Orlando (Fla.) Health and President at Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies. Dr. Vyas, a board-certified internal medicine physician and healthcare executive, leads Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies, part of Orlando Health Women’s Institute, which welcomes approximately 13,000 babies each year and operates one of the most experienced labor and delivery units and most successful level 4 neonatal intensive care units in the country. The hospital has earned sustained recognition for quality, including Magnet designation for nursing excellence, a national ranking in neonatology by U.S. News & World Report, and designation as a 2025 “Top Teaching Hospital” by the Leapfrog Group. She previously served as physician leader of Orlando Health Physician Associates, which during her tenure saw more than 1.12 million annual outpatient encounters across all specialties, including more than 5,000 deliveries by its OB-GYN providers. Maintaining an active role as a practicing physician, Dr. Vyas brings a dual clinical and executive perspective to her decision-making. She served as the executive champion for the recent launch of a mobile maternity clinic that brings prenatal and postpartum services directly to women facing barriers to care. A recognized thought leader in women’s cardiovascular health, she regularly speaks at American Heart Association events such as “Go Red for Women,” and she chairs that campaign for 2026.
Elizabeth Wako, MD. President and CEO of Swedish Health Services (Seattle). Dr. Wako is president and CEO of Swedish Health Services, the largest nonprofit health system serving the Seattle metropolitan area, encompassing five hospital campuses, more than 1,500 licensed beds, 48,000 annual inpatient admissions and $3.4 billion in revenue. Named to the role in November 2023, she is the first woman and the first African American executive leader in the organization’s 115-year history, having served Swedish over her career as a nurse, anesthesiologist, chief medical officer, COO and campus CEO. She secured board approval and launched construction of the largest expansion in Swedish’s history, a new medical tower on the First Hill campus that broke ground in January 2024, and developed the 2024 “Year of Accountability” initiative to strengthen financial sustainability through efficiency gains, reduced reliance on agency nurses and improved budget performance. Under her direction, Swedish implemented the “JUST Birth Network” and “TeamBirth,” and by late 2024 cesarean section rate disparities between Black and white women were eliminated. The share of women of color reporting their pain was addressed rose to 81% from 56%, and 73% of Black women reported clear discussion of options, compared with 25% previously. Dr. Wako serves on the boards of the Washington State Hospital Association and the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco’s Seattle branch and mentors emerging leaders through Women in Healthcare Leadership gatherings.
Annette M. Walker. President of City of Hope Orange County (Irvine, Calif.). Ms. Walker is the driving force behind City of Hope’s $1.5 billion expansion in Orange County, establishing the region’s only dedicated cancer hospital and most advanced comprehensive cancer center. Under her leadership, the institution has delivered highly specialized, research-driven care to patients, bringing cutting-edge treatments like CAR T-cell therapy and cancer-focused clinical trials directly into the community. She successfully launched the Lennar Foundation Cancer Center in 2022 on time and within budget despite pandemic-related challenges, redefining academic cancer care accessibility. Ms. Walker’s nationally recognized strategic innovation includes landmark partnerships and the mentorship of hundreds of rising healthcare professionals. Her transformational efforts have positioned City of Hope Orange County as a national model of integrated, community-anchored oncology excellence.
Beth Walker. CEO of Ochsner Medical Center–New Orleans. Ms. Walker directs overall operations of Ochsner Medical Center–New Orleans, the largest campus of the Ochsner Health system. She manages more than 1,000 providers and more than 8,000 employees at the 1,000-plus-bed hospital, and works daily with clinical teams to improve quality and patient experience outcomes. Over the past two decades, she has developed into one of Ochsner Health’s strongest leaders, and she made history by becoming the first woman CEO at Ochsner Medical Center–New Orleans. For 14 consecutive years, the campus has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the nation’s best hospitals, the best in Louisiana and the No. 1 hospital in the New Orleans metro area, It also ranks among the top 10-20% in the nation for procedures and conditions including congestive heart failure, colon cancer surgery and stroke. The campus is also a five-time recipient of the Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. In her previous role as CEO of Ochsner Baptist in New Orleans, Ms. Walker led the team to maintain continuous Leapfrog “A” ratings, earn Newsweek‘s “Best Maternity Hospital” award and achieve Birth Ready+ designation. She is deeply engaged in the local community, serving on volunteer boards including Young Presidents’ Organization and the Jefferson Chamber of Commerce, which she chaired in 2020. Ms. Walker is also a longtime member of the Junior League of New Orleans.
Jennifer Wandersleben. President and CEO of AdventHealth’s West Florida Division–Heartland Region (Tampa). Ms. Wandersleben is the president and CEO of AdventHealth West Florida Division–Heartland Region. She leads with a strong focus on clinical excellence, safety, and collaboration. Her visionary leadership approach has resulted in strong strategic partnerships, the development of a pipeline of clinicians, and the expansion of services, including securing capital to build new emergency departments.
Meagan Weber, DPT. CEO at Scotland County Hospital (Memphis, Mo.). Dr. Weber is committed to improving rural healthcare, directing hospital functions with a focus on fiscal challenges, staffing shortages and revenue processes, while simultaneously expanding access through measures such as specialized telehealth initiatives. She took over as CEO in 2022 during a period of significant financial uncertainty marked by declining revenue, an outsourced billing department and the potential closure of the obstetrics department. She led a strategic turnaround that brought the revenue cycle back in-house, optimized pricing structures and secured an additional $500,000 in reimbursements through cost report amendments, thus stabilizing the hospital’s finances and preventing a potential closure. Under her leadership, the hospital has implemented initiatives to do more with less, including rethinking post-Covid scheduling models, leveraging automation, and cross-training staff across departments such as imaging and lab. She strengthened the obstetrics program by joining the Missouri Perinatal Quality Collaborative, partnering with independent lay midwives to serve Amish and Mennonite communities, and securing a grant to provide iPads for telehealth visits and remote monitoring. Dr. Weber received the 2024 Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services “Rural Health Champion” award.
Deborah Weymouth. President of and Waterbury (Conn.) Health. Ms. Weymouth oversees Waterbury Health with a belief that the most sustainable improvements in healthcare outcomes and operational results are rooted in how people are treated, including patients, employees and physicians. The interdependent pillars of her leadership include cultural transformation, relentless focus on quality and safety, resilient and transparent leadership in crisis, and operational and financial discipline. Focusing the entire team with clarity of expectations drives the creation of a culture of excellence, psychological safety and patient-centered focus.
Toya White, MSN, APRN. President and CNO at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Kaufman. Ms. White serves as president and CNO of Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Kaufman. She brings 20 years of healthcare experience, including leadership in operations, business development and strategic planning. She began her healthcare career as a nurse extern at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas in 2001 before leaving to gain experience as a nurse practitioner in a primary care setting. She returned to Texas Health Dallas in 2012 and has since held several leadership positions at the hospital. Most recently, Ms. White served as senior director of clinical programs, with strategic and operational oversight of the joint operating company activities that expand integration between Texas Health Dallas and UT Southwestern Medical Center, also in Dallas. In that role, she also had responsibility for the hospital’s major clinical programs, including heart and vascular, oncology, neuroscience, general surgery, orthopedics and the Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine.
CarolAnn Williams. President of Mass Eye and Ear (Boston). As president of Mass Eye and Ear, Ms. Williams is responsible for overseeing one of the largest specialty hospitals in the U.S. exclusively dedicated to research, training and treatment for eye, ear, nose, throat, head and neck issues. The hospital sees nearly 400,000 patients annually across over 20 patient care locations. A national research leader in bench-to-bedside research, Mass Eye and Ear receives more than $90 million in grant funding annually to find cures and treatments for a range of conditions in ophthalmology and otolaryngology. Prior to serving as the hospital’s president, Ms. Williams served as its COO and CFO, where her vast responsibilities included financial services, planning and facilities, support services, patient access, project management, information services, compliance, privacy, surgical and clinical services and business and network development. Under her guidance, the hospital successfully transitioned into membership in the Mass General Brigham healthcare system in 2019. She also served as the hospital’s incident commander during the Covid-19 pandemic, guiding its response and recovery. She also serves as Mass General Brigham’s president of the community division and its senior vice president of operations.
Dawnett Willis. CEO at Floyd County Medical Center (Charles City, Iowa). Ms. Willis has served as CEO of Floyd County Medical Center since September 2021, where her responsibilities span physician recruitment and retention, negotiating healthcare agreements, forging partnerships and pursuing affiliation opportunities. Funded through owner equity, a U.S. Department of Agriculture loan, grants and local bank financing, she launched a $40 million expansion project, which is the largest since the hospital’s 1965 construction. The project’s ribbon-cutting is planned for July 2026. The expansion adds new speech and occupational therapy departments, an expanded lab, a new hospital pharmacy with future oncology infusion capabilities, a three-story clinic housing a rural health family practice clinic, and a new outpatient specialist clinic. In 2025, the medical center earned a 5-star rating from Professional Research Consultants, placing it in the top 10% nationally for overall hospital rating, and its midwifery program earned the 2023 “Best Practices Triple Aim Achievement Award” from the American College of Nurse-Midwives. A strong advocate for rural healthcare, Ms. Willis traveled to Washington in May 2025 for the American Hospital Association’s annual meeting to discuss rural maternal health and attended the Iowa Hospital Association’s “Hospital Day on the Hill” in March 2025. She previously held leadership roles at Pella (Iowa) Regional Health Center and Des Moines, Iowa-based UnityPoint Health. She currently serves as a commission member of the Floyd County Ambulance Commission.
Francine Witt, DNP. President and CEO of Effingham Health System (Springfield, Ga.). Dr. Witt leads a rural critical access healthcare system comprising a 25-bed hospital, a level 4 trauma emergency department, specialty clinics including oncology, cardiology, orthopedics and pediatrics, and a skilled nursing facility. Under her leadership, patient volumes have significantly increased, highlighted by the 2025 launch of pediatric ear-nose-throat surgery and an award-winning school-based telemedicine program. Dr. Witt has transformed the health system into Georgia’s only critical access hospital offering robotic surgery, all while improving throughput in the emergency department to reduce wait times below national averages. She has secured vital funding and regional partnerships to advance health equity, maintain fiscal health, and expand infrastructure and technology. Dr. Witt is the first African American woman hospital CEO in Georgia. She also serves on multiple state and national healthcare boards and has been nationally recognized for her innovation in rural healthcare.
Nataliya Yakovleva. CEO at NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler (New York City). Ms. Yakovleva is CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler, where her responsibilities span long-term care settings serving geriatric, sub-acute and memory care populations. She is the first female CEO at Coler in more than 40 years. Ms. Yakovleva brings nearly 25 years of experience in long-term care, including 15 years in leadership roles at large-scale nursing home organizations such as Metropolitan Jewish Health System’s Menorah Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing Care in Brooklyn, N.Y. and Clove Lakes Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center on Staten Island, N.Y. In her previous role as executive director at Clove Lakes, she achieved a 5-star rating for quality measures from CMS, implemented a new EHR and increased the overall census by more than 100 residents. Under her leadership, the hospital has earned 5-star ratings from the agency in quality, staffing and overall performance.
At Becker's 4th Annual CEO + CFO Roundtable, taking place November 2–5 in Chicago, more than 1,500 hospital and health system executives tackle decisions that determine whether organizations thrive or merely survive: protecting margins under cost pressure, choosing where to grow, renegotiating payer relationships, stabilizing the workforce and proving real ROI on technology. This is where leaders work through them together, face-to-face. Apply for complimentary registration now.
