At the operational core of academic medical centers are chief operating officers, who ensure that care delivery is efficient, effective and aligned with the mission of advancing medicine.
The COOs leading academic medical centers and health systems nationwide take on wide-ranging responsibilities, ranging from overseeing daily operations and expanding service lines to strategically allocating resources and driving organizational growth.
Note: This list is not exhaustive, nor is it an endorsement of included leaders, hospitals, health systems or associated healthcare providers. Leaders cannot pay for inclusion on this list. Leaders are presented in alphabetical order. We did not accept nominations for this list.
Contact Anna Falvey at afalvey@beckershealthcare.com with questions or comments.
Deborah Addo. President and COO at Penn State Health (Hershey, Pa.). Ms. Addo serves as president and COO for Penn State Health, where she oversees hospitals, clinical service lines and acute care facilities across the academic system’s core counties. She recently guided the organization as interim CEO, maintaining focus on growth, development and systemwide performance. Previously, Ms. Addo served as interim president of the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, furthering her leadership impact within the health system. She brings more than 30 years of experience in healthcare operations, including senior leadership roles at Falls Church, Va.-based Inova Health System and Hagerstown, Md.-based Meritus Health. At Inova, she successfully led two hospitals through transitions and periods of growth, while at Meritus Health she oversaw operations as COO and senior vice president.
Evaline Alessandrini, MD. COO at Cincinnati Children’s. Dr. Alessandrini serves as COO of Cincinnati Children’s, the second-largest recipient of pediatric research funding from the National Institutes of Health. In this role, she oversees daily operations across the system’s hospitals and clinics while advancing its mission in clinical care, research, education and community engagement. Dr. Alessandrini first joined Cincinnati Children’s in 2009, holding leadership roles within the James M. Anderson Center for Health Systems Excellence, including assistant vice president for improvement integration, where she helped divisions improve outcomes, patient experience and value. She also directed the institution’s outcomes research awards and quality scholars programs. In addition, she served as professor and associate chair of outcomes and process improvement at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. Prior to rejoining Cincinnati Children’s, she served as executive vice president, CMO and interim COO at the University of Cincinnati Health System, and earlier in her career she held leadership roles at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Dr. Alessandrini is also president of the board of directors for the Greater Cincinnati chapter of the American Heart Association and serves on the executive committee of the Regional Economic Development Initiative Cincinnati.
Sheila Antrum. Senior Vice President and COO at UCSF Health (San Francisco). Ms. Antrum ensures that patient service operations across the health system align with UCSF’s vision and strategic objectives. She oversees the implementation of UCSF Health’s affiliations, finances, and quality and safety initiatives across the system’s locations and affiliates. Nursing, clinical services, facilities, supply chain, major construction projects, pharmaceutical, women’s services and perioperative services report to her. She has been with the University of California system for more than 20 years, most recently serving as chief nursing officer and patient care services officer at UCSF Medical Center.
Erin Asprec. Executive Vice President and COO at Memorial Hermann Health System (Houston). Ms. Asprec serves as executive vice president and COO of Memorial Hermann Health System, where she leads strategic initiatives to improve outcomes, reduce costs and expand equitable access across the organization. Over her more than two decades with Memorial Hermann, she has held key leadership roles, most recently as chief transformation officer, where she spearheaded efforts that saved the system more than $1 billion over six years. She is also the founding executive sponsor of “Women Leaders of Memorial Hermann”, a program designed to empower women in leadership through mentorship, networking, inspiration and community service. Ms. Asprec has been recognized by the Houston Business Journal as one of Houston’s “Women Who Mean Business” and named among the “Most Powerful and Influential Women in Texas” by the National Diversity Council. She also serves on the executive committee and board of directors of the Texas Hospital Association, where she was chair in 2023.
Richard Azar. COO at UCLA Health (Los Angeles). Mr. Azar is responsible for patient care support operations at UCLA Health’s four hospitals and clinical service lines. Since becoming COO in 2018, he has led multiple initiatives to enhance patient access, including the acquisition of a closed hospital and a medical office building that is being converted into a new behavioral health campus. He oversaw the launch of UCLA Health’s first 24/7 patient flow command center and the development of technology to streamline access for patients requiring transfer to UCLA Health. In addition, his team supported the formation of specialty care service lines across the network and the launch of a homeless healthcare mobile clinic infrastructure. He joined UCLA Health in 2006 as director of transition planning.
Lou Baverso. COO of UAB Health System (Birmingham, Ala.). Mr. Baverso was named COO of UAB Health System in September 2023, bringing nearly three decades of health administration experience to the academic health system. He previously served as president of Pittsburgh-based UPMC, where he oversaw hospital operations and growth across the region. During his tenure at UPMC, Mr. Baverso also held leadership roles as COO and vice president of operations at various hospitals within the system. He played a critical role in expanding service lines, including women’s health, cancer care and pediatric services. In his current role, Mr. Baverso oversees operations at UAB Hospital, ambulatory services, UAB Callahan Eye Hospital and related support services.
Kimberly Bleichner-Jones. Interim COO at UC Davis Health (Sacramento, Calif.). Ms. Bleichner-Jones serves as interim COO at UC Davis Health, where she provides strategic oversight and operational leadership that enhances patient care and system performance. She has served the organization since 2001, offering more than two decades of dedicated leadership in advancing health care delivery. Ms. Bleichner-Jones is recognized for driving initiatives that strengthen organizational efficiency while improving patient outcomes across UC Davis Health’s academic medical system. Beyond her executive role, she is active in community service, serving on the boards of United Way California Capital Region and Saint John’s Program for Real Change. She also serves as board chair for Sacramento Sierra/UC Davis Rehabilitation Hospital, supporting access to vital rehabilitation services. A senior fellow of the American Leadership Forum–Mountain Valley, Ms. Bleichner-Jones is known for her collaborative leadership and commitment to civic engagement.
Denise Brooks-Williams. Executive Vice President and COO at Henry Ford Health (Detroit). Ms. Brooks-Williams serves as executive vice president and COO of Henry Ford Health, overseeing all hospital and service operations for the 13-hospital academic health system, which includes more than 550 sites of care, 50,000 team members and $12 billion in annual revenue. She previously served as executive vice president and CEO of care delivery system operations at the system, where she managed five hospitals, 250 care sites and more than 21,000 employees while generating over $8 billion in revenue. Earlier in her career, Ms. Brooks-Williams was senior vice president and CEO of the health system’s North Market, leading growth, revenue and consumer experience initiatives across multiple sites. She is deeply committed to community service, serving on the boards of Authority Health, the Detroit Institute of Arts, Teach for America and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Ms. Brooks-Williams is also a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Joe Camillus. COO of Boston Medical Center. Mr. Camillus is responsible for daily operations, hospital service growth, digital adoption, health center integrations, value-based care efforts, and more in his role as COO at Boston Medical Center. His contributions have included ambulatory access expansion, Epic implementation and partnership expansion. Mr. Camillus is founder of the “LEAP” program, a leadership training program for people of color within the organization. He has also led efforts to build clinical and housing opportunities for patients with substance use disorders as well as the opening of BMC Brockton Behavioral Health Center.
Mary Cassai, BSN, RN. Executive Vice President and COO of the Hospital for Special Surgery (New York City). Ms. Cassai has more than 16 years of healthcare leadership experience, having worked her way up the chain of command after starting as a nurse. Under her leadership, HSS continues to progress in advancing operational excellence and patient care.
Emily Chase, PhD, RN. Executive Vice President and COO at the University of Chicago Medical Center. As executive vice president and COO of the University of Chicago Medicine’s flagship hospital, Dr. Chase oversees clinical and non-clinical operations on the Hyde Park campus in the South Side of Chicago. Since joining the organization as manager of nursing education in July 2011, Dr. Chase has had multiple progressive leadership roles within the health system, including as vice president of Comer Children’s Hospital as well as CNO at the medical center. She also served as interim president and CEO of UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial, a community hospital based in Harvey, Ill., for 12 months during 2022. Dr. Chase is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and a certified nurse executive. Dr. Chase has served as adjunct faculty at her alma mater, Saint Mary’s College, and serves on the board of directors for Valparaiso University, The American Heart Association and The American Lung Association.
Michael Chicarelli, DNP, RN. COO of University of New Mexico Hospital (Albuquerque). Dr. Chicarelli was tapped as University of New Mexico Hospital’s COO in 2018. Before stepping into his current role, he was interim CEO for over a year. Prior to that, he was the hospital’s administrator of professional services, a role in which he oversaw a majority of the non-nursing departments and developed a deep understanding of the hospital’s operational needs. Dr. Chicarelli’s career at the hospital began in 1997, when he joined as an emergency department nurse and subsequently transitioned into roles like executive director of emergency services and assistant chief nursing officer.
Anthony Costello. Executive Vice President and COO at Westchester Medical Center Health Network (Valhalla, N.Y.). Mr. Costello serves as COO for WMCHealth’s Valhalla and Poughkeepsie campuses, as well as HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley campuses in Kingston and Margaretville. He is responsible for professional and ancillary services, clinical service lines, supply chain, support services, design and architecture, construction, capital planning, real estate and Advanced Physician Services, WMCHealth’s 600-member physician practice. He has been at WMCHealth for more than 25 years and has held a number of critical operational positions during that time.
Thomas Crawford, PhD. System COO at the Medical University of South Carolina (Charleston). Dr. Crawford has been system COO and an associate professor at MUSC Health since 2020. He served as the system’s interim COO and an assistant professor beginning in 2019. He has been with the system since 2015, beginning as an administrator with the system. Previously, he spent three years as president and CEO at Springfield (Vt.) Hospital and six years as COO at the University of Florida Prostate Disease Center. He has experience developing systemwide strategic initiatives that contributed to enhanced market positioning, consistent bottom-line profitability and growth, advancing clinical and financial performance by driving operational efficiencies, enhancing the quality and safety of care delivered, and improving clinician and employee morale contemporaneously.
Bryan Croft. Executive Vice President and COO of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (Los Angeles). Mr. Croft was promoted to executive vice president and COO of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in June 2023. He was tapped for the role after serving as senior vice president of operations for Cedars-Sinai, and before that as vice president of operations. During his 13 years with Cedars-Sinai thus far, he helped plan for a new facility in Marina del Rey, Calif., guided the operational response to Covid-19, helped create and grow new clinical programs, drove outreach efforts and more. He came to the system from Houston Methodist Hospital, where he was vice president of operations. Prior, he held the same position at Honolulu-based The Queen’s Medical Center.
Ron V. Cummins, Jr. Senior Vice President and COO of University of Maryland Medical Center (Baltimore). Mr. Cummins is senior vice president and COO for UMMC, a role in which he oversees daily operations and drives strategic initiatives. His ultimate goal is the delivery of safe, high quality, affordable patient care. He brings to his role over two decades of operations and business development leadership experience, spanning clinical operations, budget planning, patient safety, process improvement and physician relations. In addition, he is adept at health information technology, mergers and acquisitions, labor relations, strategic planning, major contract negotiations and more.
Krista Curell. Executive Vice President and COO of UChicago Medicine. Ms. Curell was promoted to executive vice president and COO of UChicago Medicine in August 2023, following two years serving as chief transformation and integration officer. She also had taken on the chief administration officer role preceding her recent promotion. Her current role’s primary agenda is maintaining a coordinated, cohesive and comprehensive strategy for system growth. To do so, she leads daily operations while maximizing the impact of all care site operations. Ms. Curell’s career at the University of Chicago Medical Center began in 2001.
Jonathan Curtright. COO at OU Health (Oklahoma City, Okla.). Mr. Curtright has served as COO of OU Health since July 2022, bringing more than 25 years of senior healthcare leadership experience. He previously served as CEO of MU Health Care in Columbia, Mo. and has held leadership roles at Indianapolis-based IU Health, Lexington, Ky.-based UK HealthCare and Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic. Mr. Curtright has a strong track record of operational excellence, health system transformation and employee engagement. His leadership spans the full continuum of care, including outpatient, inpatient, procedural, imaging, post-acute care, research and education. At OU Health, Mr. Curtright builds on this expertise to strengthen performance and expand access to care across the system.
Kimberlee Daniels. COO at The George Washington University Hospital (Washington, D.C.). Ms. Daniels serves as COO of The George Washington University Hospital, where she oversees hospital operations with a focus on quality, safety, patient experience and financial performance. She assumed the role in October 2023 after serving as COO of the Jackson-based University of Mississippi Medical Center, where she helped the hospital improve its rankings and advance clinical productivity. Earlier in her career, Ms. Daniels served at the Charlottesville-based University of Virginia Medical Center as interim chief of ambulatory operations, where she guided the strategic growth of its outpatient enterprise. At The George Washington University Hospital, Ms. Daniels leverages her extensive experience leading level 1 trauma centers to strengthen integrated care delivery across the Washington, D.C. region.
Rowell Daniels, PharmD. COO of UNC Hospitals (Chapel Hill, N.C.). In 2020, Dr. Daniels stepped into the chief operating officer role for UNC Hospitals, a public, academic medical center. Prior to taking on the role in a permanent capacity, he served as interim COO for seven months. He has worked within the UNC Health System for more than 25 years, primarily in pharmacy services leadership roles.
John W. Doll. COO of RWJBarnabas Health (West Orange, N.J.). Mr. Doll assumed the chief operating officer role at RWJBarnabas Health in March 2022. The role entails leading daily operations systemwide. Mr. Doll was promoted to his current position after serving as chief financial and administrative officer. He first joined the health system in 2010 as vice president of financial management.
Brian Donley, MD. COO and Executive Vice President of NewYork-Presbyterian (New York City). Dr. Donley joined NewYork-Presbyterian as COO and EVP at the beginning of 2023. He joined the system from Cleveland Clinic, where he most recently served as CEO of Cleveland Clinic London. He is responsible for directing the strategy and operations of NewYork-Presbyterian and achieving the health care system’s operating targets and implementing its patient-centered strategic vision and culture across the enterprise. He has extensive expertise in clinical medicine and hospital operations, originally serving as an orthopedic surgeon.
Lyndon Edwards. COO and Senior Vice President for Health Facilities at Loma Linda (Calif.) University Health. Mr. Edwards has oversight over daily operations for the system, including service line development and configuration, collaboration with clinical teams to improve efficiencies, and leading patient experience initiatives. Under his leadership, LLU Medical Center and East Campus hospitals have received numerous awards for patient safety and quality.
Kelly Elkins. COO of MaineHealth (Portland). Ms. Elkins oversees MaineHealth’s facilities and healthcare delivery operations, including its hospitals, outpatient services, home health services, medical group and community clinics, clinical support services and service lines, and IT planning. She has more than 20 years of healthcare experience.
Michael Elliott, PharmD. COO at VCU Health System (Richmond, Va.). Dr. Elliott was appointed as the inaugural COO of VCU Health System in May 2022 following an extensive national search. In this role, he is responsible for aligning the academic health system’s strategic plan with its operations to advance equitable, high-quality and cost-effective care across all hospitals and clinics. Dr. Elliott previously served as senior vice president and chief transformation officer at Centra Health in Lynchburg, Va., where he oversaw market strategy, business development, community health, government relations and philanthropy. There, he launched the community health department, focused on health equity, and coordinated a collaborative regional Covid-19 vaccination effort. His leadership has consistently emphasized systemwide integration and performance improvement across the continuum of care.
John Ernst. Senior Vice President and COO at Froedtert Hospital (Milwaukee). Mr. Ernst has been serving as senior vice president and COO since October 2024. Prior, he served in the role in an interim capacity for four months. For five years prior, he served as vice president of operations for Froedtert Health. He also held prior roles at Louisville-based KentuckyOne Health and Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago.
Joel Fagerstrom. COO and Executive Vice President at St. Luke’s University Health Network (Allentown, Pa.). Mr. Fagerstrom joined St. Luke’s as COO and EVP in 2007. Before joining the system, he served as president and CEO at a hospital in Texas. He is in charge of managing operations for St. Luke’s hospitals and outpatient sites.
Sean Flinn. COO at East Jefferson General Hospital (Metairie, La.). Mr. Flinn became COO of East Jefferson General Hospital in January 2024, bringing a decade of progressive leadership experience in academic health systems. He began his career at New Orleans-based Tulane Health System in 2014 as an administrative resident and fellow. Mr. Flinn advanced quickly, serving as director of operations for four ambulatory clinics and later as administrative director of orthopedics. He was promoted to service line vice president before being named COO of Tulane Health System in 2021. To his current role, he brings operational expertise, leadership in service line growth, and the ability to strengthen clinical and administrative performance.
Bernard Flores. Vice President of Operations at University Medical Center (New Orleans). Mr. Flores, vice president of operations for UMC, is known for his leadership skills and ability to foster a successful company culture. Prior to joining UMC, he was director of facilities support services at Houston Methodist Baytown. There, he created and fine-tuned processes to assess facility infrastructure, improve patient experience, train staff members and contractors in safety protocols, and more.
Fritz François, MD. Executive Vice President, Vice Dean and Chief of Hospital Operations at NYU Langone Health (New York City). Dr. François serves as NYU Langone Health’s executive vice president and vice dean, as well as chief of hospital operations. In this role, he ensures care quality and patient safety across the system’s Manhattan campus. Prior to his current role, he was chief medical officer for the system, as well as a professor in the division of gastroenterology within the department of medicine. He has more than 70 peer-reviewed publications, book chapters and presentations to his name.
Marylin Galimi. COO of Upstate University Hospital (Syracuse, N.Y.). As the COO of Upstate University Hospital, the only academic medical center in Central New York, Ms. Galimi is charged with operational oversight, integration and optimization across the hospital. She is responsible for the achievement of all strategic and operational objectives. She also ensures that organizational resources are utilized in the most efficient and cost effective manner possible.
Kevin Giordano. President of Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital, COO of Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Brigham and Women’s Physicians Organization, Senior Vice President of Operations for Mass General Brigham (Boston). Mr. Giordano serves as president of Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital, COO of Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Brigham and Women’s Physicians Organization, and senior vice president of operations for Mass General Brigham. He oversees hospital operations, physician organization management, and key service lines while also serving as the Brigham’s executive leader for the Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center in Boston. Mr. Giordano previously served as senior vice president of clinical services, where he provided executive leadership for multiple departments, perioperative services and specialized procedural programs across the Brigham system. Since joining the Brigham in 2008, he has held a series of leadership roles, including administrative director of the division of plastic surgery, executive director of the Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center at South Shore Hospital in Weymouth, Mass., and executive administrator in the department of medicine. A seasoned healthcare executive, Mr. Giordano is recognized for driving operational excellence, strengthening multidisciplinary programs, and advancing high-quality patient care across the Brigham enterprise.
Melissa Golombek. Executive Vice President and COO at Tampa (Fla.) General Hospital. Ms. Golombek serves as executive vice president and COO at Tampa General Hospital, where she oversees all clinical and operational strategies for one of the nation’s leading academic health systems. Since joining TGH in 2020, she has advanced programs across the Muma Children’s Hospital and the TGH Women’s Institute, leading initiatives that earned a level 4 national designation in maternal care from The Joint Commission and a No. 5 national and No. 1 Florida ranking in obstetrics and gynecology by U.S. News & World Report for 2025–26. She also helped secure the largest philanthropic gift ever given to a children’s hospital in the region and supported the reopening of the level 2 NICU at TGH Spring Hill (Fla.). Ms. Golombek previously held senior leadership roles at various health systems, where she had oversight of multimillion-dollar portfolios and diverse clinical operations. She is recognized as a results-driven executive with expertise in strategic planning, program development and quality improvement. Beyond her role at TGH, she serves on the boards of the Glazer Children’s Museum and Trinity Agricultural Board and is active with the Children’s Hospital Association and Florida Nurses Association.
Carol Gomes. CEO and COO of Stony Brook (N.Y.) University Hospital. Ms. Gomes serves as CEO and COO at Stony Brook University Hospital. Formerly, she was the chief quality officer with administrative oversight for the department of continuous quality improvement, decision support services, clinical pathways and management engineering. She was also the associate director for quality management and associate director for neurosciences. She has worked in healthcare for over 30 years and actively volunteers to serve as a mentor for students pursuing healthcare administration and participates regularly as a panelist for the Future Healthcare Leaders “See You at the ‘C’ Suite” seminars.
Kimberly Guy. COO at BayCare Health System (Clearwater, Fla.). Ms. Guy serves as COO of BayCare Health System, where she oversees operations for all 16 hospitals across the health system and leads the development of BayCare Hospital Manatee, slated to open in 2028. She began her career at Raleigh, N.C.-based REX Healthcare, where she advanced through several operational leadership roles before joining BayCare in 2005 as president of St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital in Tampa, Fla. In 2010 and 2016, she expanded her leadership portfolio with hospital president and market leader roles. In 2022, she was appointed co-chief operating officer of BayCare Health System before assuming the role of sole COO in March 2025. Ms. Guy is a driver of operational efficiency and leader of large-scale health system growth. Her career reflects nearly two decades of commitment to expanding access, advancing care and strengthening BayCare’s role as a leading health care provider in Florida.
Terry Hales, Jr. Executive Vice Chief Academic Officer of Administration and COO of the Health Sciences System at Advocate Health (Charlotte, N.C.). Mr. Hales serves as executive vice chief academic officer of administration and COO of the health sciences system at Advocate Health, where he holds strategic, operational and financial responsibility for academic functions across the enterprise. He also oversees Advocate Health’s innovation districts, including the Innovation Quarter in Winston-Salem, N.C. and The Pearl in Charlotte, advancing research, education and innovation. Mr. Hales joined Wake Forest University School of Medicine in 1996 and held multiple financial leadership roles, including assistant dean for finance, vice president and CFO of Wake Forest University Health Sciences, and vice CFO of Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. In 2014, he was named vice president of academic administration and operations before being promoted to senior vice president and executive vice dean of Wake Forest University School of Medicine. He began his current role in 2022. Over his career, Mr. Hales has been instrumental in aligning academic administration with health system strategy and integrating finance functions across major institutional transitions.
Gina Hawley, DrPH. COO for University of Utah Health (Salt Lake City). As COO for U of U Health, Dr. Hawley handles systemwide operations and implements key strategies. Through a deep dedication to operational efficiency, she aims to provide quality care outcomes, high patient satisfaction levels and consistent financial wellbeing for the system. Before stepping into her current role, she served as vice president of professional and support services at Portland-based Oregon Health and Science University.
Paul R. Hinchey, MD. COO of University Hospitals (Cleveland). Dr. Hinchey serves as COO of University Hospitals, a $6.4 billion health system with more than 32,000 employees, 21 hospitals, and over 200 outpatient facilities. He is responsible for all clinical operations across the system, including UH Cleveland Medical Center, UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, UH MacDonald Women’s Hospital, UH Seidman Cancer Center, and UH Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute. Dr. Hinchey has led the implementation of the systems of care operating model, which emphasizes patient-centered, coordinated care and has driven measurable improvements in access, efficiency and quality outcomes. Under his leadership, the system improved diabetes control, blood pressure management, depression and cancer screenings across its Medicare ACO population while also increasing operating room utilization from 68% to 82%. He has advanced value-based strategies such as nursing-led “care teams of tomorrow”, standardized compensation practices, and the creation of service line volume centers to enhance efficiency and preserve quaternary care capacity. Dr. Hinchey also chairs the Northern Ohio Trauma System and serves on multiple boards.
Anne Horbatuck, RN. COO and Vice President of Ambulatory Services at UConn Health (Farmington). Ms. Horbatuck has been with UConn Health for 42 years, becoming the system’s COO in 2022. She has also served as vice president of ambulatory services for the system since 2016. Ms. Horbatuck began her healthcare career as a surgical staff nurse at UConn John Dempsey Hospital in Farmington, later becoming a nurse manager of many inpatient units, served as the director of signature program and the Musculoskeletal Institute’s administrator and COO before being appointed vice president of ambulatory services.
Craig A. Johnson. Executive Vice President and COO of Northwestern Medicine (Chicago). Mr. Johnson is executive vice president and COO of Northwestern Medicine, an academic medical health system created in 2010 through the partnership between the Feinberg School of Medicine and Northwestern Memorial HealthCare. He joined the system in June 2023 after serving as Northwestern University’s executive vice president for five years. During that time, he was responsible for the university’s financial, capital and operational resources and budgets.
Scott Jones. COO at University of Illinois Hospitals & Clinics (Chicago). Mr. Jones has served as University of Illinois Hospitals & Clinics’ COO since May 2025. He first joined the system in October 2019 as chief ambulatory operations officer, then added the interim COO role in August 2023. Previously, he spent 11 years at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America and 12 years at Greenville, N.C.-based ECU Health. Mr. Jones is passionate about driving results through authentic leadership and relationship driven engagement of physicians, employees and market communities. He has a track record of successful leadership in both a large, complex nonprofit teaching hospital and health system and in a private for-profit specialty hospital system.
Lara Khouri. President and COO for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Ms. Khouri, president and COO of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, oversees strategic and operational functions, including clinical services, research operations and community relations, driving the hospital’s growth as a provider of complex pediatric care. Under her leadership, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles has expanded its market share, launched innovative programs like behavioral health and achieved industry-leading patient experience scores. She has transformed the organization’s research enterprise, securing funding and fostering a culture of mentorship among scientists. Ms. Khouri’s focus on team member wellbeing and inclusion has positioned the hospital as a top workplace, reflected in low turnover rates and high employee engagement.
Brendan Kremer. COO at UC San Diego Health. Mr. Kremer is responsible for the clinical, financial and operational performance of the clinical service lines and UC San Diego’s clinical practice and physician group. He works with leaders from experience, compliance, quality, strategy and finance to ensure that hospital and ambulatory operations are designed to meet the needs and requirements of patients, physicians, staff and the community. Since joining the system in 1999, he has held several roles, including chief administrative officer, administrative director, assistant director of professional services and senior financial analyst. In his time, he has led the opening of a 250-bed medical center, helped design and open an outpatient pavilion, implemented a joint ASC venture, driven operational initiatives to fruition, led the system through the Covid-19 pandemic and helped to implement a tiered escalation huddle structure.
Raaj Kurapati. Executive Vice Chancellor and COO at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (Memphis). Mr. Kurapati took over as COO and vice chancellor for UTHSC in 2023 after spending more than three decades in higher education. Since 2018, he served as the executive vice president and chief operating and financial officer for the University of Memphis where he was responsible for all administrative and financial units of the university with prominence in civic, legislative, philanthropic and community outreach activities, as well as overseeing all financial and operational activities. Before joining education in 2003, Mr. Kurapati held roles as an assurance and consulting senior professional at Deloitte and as a vice president and chief financial and compliance officer for a community bank.
Min Lee. COO at UVA Health University Medical Center (Charlottesville, Va.). Ms. Lee serves as COO of UVA Health University Medical Center, where she oversees daily operations for the academic medical center. She is focused on advancing operational excellence, supporting team members and ensuring patients across Virginia have access to high-quality, efficient and compassionate care. She brings deep expertise in academic healthcare and hospital operations, with a career focused on improving efficiency, patient care delivery and clinical service growth. Prior to joining UVA Health, she served as vice president of operations at Reading (Pa.) Hospital, part of Tower Health, where she oversaw the McGlinn Cancer Institute, imaging, laboratory and pharmacy services, emergency management, security, clinical engineering, construction management and transport. Earlier in her career, Ms. Lee was vice president of operations at Emory University Hospital Midtown, a 550-bed academic medical center in Atlanta, where she led strategic and operational oversight for departments including environmental services, pharmacy, facilities and respiratory services.
Steve Leffler, MD. President and COO of University of Vermont Medical Center (Burlington). Dr. Leffler leads overall management and operations for Vermont’s leading academic medical center, aligning strategy, quality, financial performance and service excellence across clinical, nursing, facilities and administrative domains in partnership with UVM Health Network. He has guided the academic medical center through the pandemic, launched major capital initiatives including a $130 million outpatient surgical center to meet rising regional demand, advanced system integration, operational reliability and safety, and championed multi-year inclusivity, sustainability and community-health efforts. A longtime clinician-leader and educator, he builds trust with teams and strengthens the academic enterprise. Under his leadership, UVMMC has been ranked Vermont’s No. 1 hospital by U.S. News & World Report and earned Practice Greenhealth’s “Emerald Award”. Previously chief population health and quality officer for UVM Health Network and CMO for the medical center, he has also held roles as emergency department medical director, medical staff president, Vermont Medical Society president, OneCare ACO board chair and member of the governor’s prescription drug monitoring task force.
Lee Ann Liska. President and COO of Vanderbilt University Hospital (Nashville, Tenn.). Ms. Liska is responsible for all aspects of performance, ensuring patient-focused service, quality and safety, recruitment and retention, growth and finance and innovation throughout the facility. She has extensive experience in hospital operations, physician practice management and ambulatory services.
Tony Marinello. COO of University Medical Center of Southern Nevada (Las Vegas). Mr. Marinello has served as COO for UMC since 2017. He has held 15 executive leadership roles over his 25-plus years working in healthcare. Throughout his career, he has transformed underperforming healthcare facilities by relationship building within the community, prioritizing patient care quality, executing innovation initiatives, supporting process improvement at all levels and earning cost savings.
John Matsinger, DO. Executive Vice President and COO at Virtua Health (Marlton, N.J.). Dr. Matsinger serves as executive vice president and COO of Virtua Health, where he oversees the system’s hospitals, satellite emergency rooms, home care agency and Virtua Medical Group. He joined the academic health system in 2008 as medical director of medical affairs and has since advanced through multiple leadership roles, including executive vice president and system chief clinical officer. Dr. Matsinger has played a key role in enhancing quality, safety and patient satisfaction, including implementing an EHR system and supporting the opening of Virtua Voorhees Hospital’s new campus. He also led initiatives to strengthen the Virtua Medical Group, coordinating care across more than 250 providers and improving operational synergy. Dr. Matsinger is committed to advancing operational excellence, physician engagement and patient-centered care across the health system. Outside of the system, he serves as a trustee of the New Jersey Hospital Association and is a fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Internists.
Rosanna Morris, BSN, RN. Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Operations Officer at MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston). Ms. Morris served as COO of MD Anderson Cancer Center from 2019 to September 2025, overseeing inpatient and outpatient operations to ensure the delivery of high-quality cancer care. She was recently promoted to executive vice president and chief clinical operations officer. A registered nurse with more than two decades of executive leadership, she brings clinical expertise and a deep understanding of hospital operations to her role. Before joining MD Anderson, Ms. Morris served as president of Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Mich., a 1,100-bed academic medical center affiliated with Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine. She also previously held senior leadership roles at Omaha-based Nebraska Medicine, including serving as interim CEO. In her current role, she partners closely with physician and administrative executives to align strategy and operations, with a strong focus on operational excellence and patient-centered care.
Peter D. Newcomer, MD. Senior Vice President and COO for UW Health (Madison, Wis.). Dr. Newcomer serves as senior vice president and COO for the UW Health academic health system. Additionally, he is senior associate dean for clinical affairs at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health. Dr. Newcomer took on the COO role for the system in May 2023. He has been serving the UW Health system via leadership roles for 15 years. He also practices internal medicine at the system, providing preventive care and treating complex medical issues in adult patients.
Mark Nussbaum. COO at Allegheny General Hospital (Pittsburgh). Mr. Nussbaum serves as COO of Allegheny General Hospital, where he is responsible for financial and operational performance across a workforce that includes more than 1,000 physicians and 3,500 clinical and support staff. He joined Allegheny Health Network in 2016, first as COO of Forbes Hospital in Monroeville, Pa. and later as senior vice president of the system’s physician organization, one of the largest in Pennsylvania. Prior to joining the network, Mr. Nussbaum held a variety of financial and operational leadership roles at Cleveland Clinic, including serving as COO of Marymount Hospital in Garfield Heights, Ohio. He advances operational excellence, strengthens physician engagement and improves hospital performance across multiple facilities. In addition to his executive responsibilities, he serves on the boards of Holy Family Nazareth Prep and the Northside Leadership Conference.
Phil Okala. COO of Tufts Medicine (Burlington, Mass.). As COO, Mr. Okala ensures that Tufts excels in the execution of key strategic and operating priorities to ensure future growth and success. Under his leadership, Tufts continually innovates to better support its workforce and meet the needs of the consumers, partners and communities it serves.
Margaret Pastuszko. President and COO at Mount Sinai Health System (New York City). Ms. Pastuszko serves as president and COO of the Mount Sinai Health System, where she leads strategy, operations, and corporate services to ensure the organization’s long-term viability and success. She joined Mount Sinai in 2000 as director of strategic planning and implementation for the Icahn School of Medicine and has since held roles of increasing responsibility in analytics, operations, strategy and system integration. As executive vice president, COO and chief strategy officer, Ms. Pastuszko guided Mount Sinai’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, advancing throughput, optimizing resources and deploying new technologies to improve care. She has been instrumental in identifying opportunities for efficiency and value creation as the healthcare landscape shifts toward sustainability and performance. Under her leadership, Mount Sinai has strengthened access to care, enhanced operational excellence and expanded its global influence as a premier academic health system.
William “Bill” M. Peacock, III. Executive Vice President and Chief of Operations at Cleveland Clinic. Mr. Peacock serves as executive vice president and chief of operations for Cleveland Clinic, where he oversees buildings and design, supply chain, clinical engineering, patient support services, protective services, hotels, international operations, marketing and philanthropy. He is responsible for ensuring that every facility is designed and operated to meet patient needs while optimizing efficiency, safety and service quality. Under his leadership, Cleveland Clinic’s operations have advanced to support a global enterprise, aligning infrastructure and resources with the health system’s clinical and research missions. Mr. Peacock is an active member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and the American Society of Healthcare Engineers.
Tammy Peterman, RN. Executive Vice President, COO and CNO for The University of Kansas Health System (Kansas City). Since beginning her career as a bedside nurse at The University of Kansas Hospital, Ms. Peterman has taken on several nursing and leadership roles. She served as chief nursing officer, executive vice president and COO of the hospital before taking on her current role as executive vice president, COO and CNO for the health system in 2018. She also serves as the president of the Kansas City division. Her leadership has been transformational for the academic medical center’s culture, driving initiatives that improve care outcomes, engage staff members, foster a healthy work environment, enhance safety and more. Thanks in large part to her guidance, the hospital has been recognized as one of the high-performing comprehensive academic medical centers by Vizient’s quality and accountability study nine times, as of 2020.
Angelleen Peters-Lewis, PhD, RN. President of Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital (Creve Coeur, Mo.) and Vice President and COO of Barnes-Jewish Hospital (St. Louis). Ms. Peters-Lewis oversees integration of clinical programs across Barnes-Jewish and drives growth, especially in ambulatory care. She oversees facilities and support services, laboratory and radiology operations, women and infants, orthopedics, heart and vascular services including the Heart Care Institute, neurosciences and ambulatory operations.
Jody Reyes, BSN. COO of the Clinical Enterprise at University of Iowa Health Care (Iowa City). Ms. Reyes became COO of UI Health Care’s clinical enterprise in June 2024. She oversees patient care operations, ancillary services and support functions across multiple medical campuses, working closely with hospital leaders and department chairs to advance systemwide strategy. Ms. Reyes brings more than 20 years of executive leadership experience and a strong clinical background as a registered nurse. Prior to joining UI Health Care, she served as senior vice president and COO at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey (Pa.) Medical Center, where she strengthened operational performance and efficiency. She also held senior roles in safety-net hospitals, National Cancer Institute–designated cancer centers and the U.S. Navy, and previously served as interim COO of University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville.
Angelique L. Richard, PhD, RN. COO at City of Hope (Duarte, Calif.). Dr. Richard serves as chief operating officer for City of Hope, where she drives connectivity, alignment and operational innovation across the system. A nationally recognized leader in healthcare operations and nursing, she is known for advancing strategies that improve quality, patient safety, care delivery and workforce engagement. Prior to joining City of Hope, Dr. Richard held influential roles on The Joint Commission’s nurse executive advisory council and Vizient’s advisory board for CNOs. She has also contributed to national policy discussions, including participation in the White House summit on sustainability in healthcare and the federal cancer moonshot initiative.
James Shamiyeh, MD. Executive Vice President and COO at University of Tennessee Medical Center (Knoxville). Dr. Shamiyeh serves as executive vice president and COO of University of Tennessee Medical Center, where he oversees the centers of excellence, nursing, pharmacy, clinical services, hospitalist services, perioperative services, emergency services, clinical integration, clinical process design and the operations center. He joined the organization in 2005 as a pulmonary and critical care physician before advancing into leadership roles, including medical director of the Heart Lung Vascular Institute in 2016 and senior vice president and chief quality officer in 2019. Dr. Shamiyeh’s leadership was pivotal during the Covid-19 pandemic, when he guided the health system’s response to the public health emergency. He is dedicated to quality improvement, operational strategy and clinical integration.
Nathan Shinagawa. Senior Vice President and COO of UCI Health (Orange County, Calif.). Mr. Shinagawa is responsible for acute operations of the UCI Health, the only academic health system in Orange County. In his role, he oversees operations for the 12,000-employee, $4 billion annual net revenue, five-hospital system. He has served as a senior hospital leader for over 14 years. Prior to joining UCI Health, he held roles at Phoenix-based Banner Health and Sayre, Pa.-based Guthrie Clinic.
Rick Shumway. Executive Vice President and COO at Stanford (Calif.) Health Care. Mr. Shumway serves as executive vice president and COO of Stanford Health Care, where he leads daily operations across one of the nation’s premier academic medical centers. He oversees inpatient and ambulatory services, facilities management, patient experience, digital health initiatives and enterprisewide operational performance. Mr. Shumway drives organizational efficiency, expands health system networks and delivers innovative strategies that enhance patient care. Before becoming COO in 2025, he served as president and CEO of Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley and Stanford Medicine Partners, leading efforts to expand access and strengthen community partnerships. He previously held senior leadership positions at several major academic medical centers nationwide, where he focused on integrating operations, strategy and financial stewardship.
Brinder Singh. COO at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital (Washington, D.C.). Mr. SIngh has been with the health system for more than 19 years and has held a variety of leadership roles. He has served as COO since 2021. Under his leadership, the hospital has stayed at the forefront of healthcare delivery while advancing healthcare and serving the community.
Kyle Skiermont, PharmD. COO at Nebraska Medicine (Omaha). Dr. Skiermont serves as COO for Nebraska Medicine, where he oversees ambulatory, diagnostic and procedural services as well as the system’s oncology services and regional outreach initiatives. A seasoned pharmacy and health system executive, he previously served as senior vice president of operations for Nebraska Medicine and as assistant dean for clinical affairs at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy. Dr. Skiermont has been instrumental in expanding cancer network services across the region, ensuring patients have greater access to advanced oncology care. Prior to joining Nebraska Medicine, he spent nearly 20 years with Fairview Pharmacy Services/M Health Fairview in Minneapolis, where he rose from staff pharmacist to COO and led infusion operations. He also served as senior vice president of specialty and home delivery services for Prime Therapeutics, strengthening pharmacy and care delivery models nationwide.
Russell Smith, PharmD. COO at University of Toledo (Ohio) Medical Center. Mr. Smith serves as chief operating officer of the University of Toledo Medical Center, where he oversees the Eleanor N. Dana Cancer Center, quality, safety and compliance, pharmacy enterprise and ancillary support services. He began his career at academic medical center as a pharmacy intern and inpatient pharmacist before advancing through leadership roles including managed care coordinator, pharmacy operations manager, director of pharmacy, chief pharmacy officer and senior hospital administrator. Mr. Smith is board-certified in pharmacotherapy and was awarded fellow status with the American College of Healthcare Executives in 2023. In addition to his work at UTMC, he serves on the board of trustees for the Ohio Public Employee Retirement Systems, representing non-teaching college and university employees. Mr. Smith brings nearly two decades of progressive experience in pharmacy and health system leadership.
Mark Solazzo. COO at Northwell Health (New Hyde Park, N.Y.). Mr. Solazzo has served as COO of Northwell Health for nearly two decades, capping a career of more than 30 years with the organization. In this role, he is responsible for developing and integrating the health system’s strategic plan into daily operations, while ensuring coordinated services meet the needs of patients and communities across the region. Mr. Solazzo has been instrumental in driving organizational transformation, embedding a culture that prioritizes strategic change leadership, excellence in execution and accountability. His leadership has supported Northwell’s sustained growth and innovation, helping the system expand into one of the largest and most respected health care providers in the nation. He has helped build an organizational culture centered on performance and patient wellbeing. Mr. Solazzo has announced his plans to retire at the end of this year.
April Taylor. Vice President and COO of The Johns Hopkins Hospital (Baltimore). In her role, Ms. Taylor works with physician and administrative leaders to drive operational excellence, helping to ensure that patient care at The Johns Hopkins Hospital is safe, accessible and of the highest quality. Under her leadership, the hospital consistently received top marks for patient safety from The Leapfrog Group and improved its star rating from CMS, as well as its performance on the Vizient quality and accountability scorecard.
Michele Volpe. COO of Penn Medicine (Philadelphia). In her role, Ms. Volpe manages each of Penn Medicine’s hospital CEOs and is responsible for a slate of efforts to further enhance operational efficiency and program integration across the health system. Under her leadership, Penn Medicine has shaped new care models and facilities to deliver the highest-quality care to her community.
Matt Walsh. Executive Vice President and COO for Rush University System for Health (Chicago). Mr. Walsh is executive vice president and COO at Rush University System for Health. He leads operations across Rush University Medical Center, Rush Oak Park Hospital, Rush Copley Medical Center, Rush Medical Group, Rush Health and corporate functions including quality, strategy and communications, human resources, finance, digital and information systems, facilities, community health programs and the office of transformation. Mr. Walsh leads significant work focused on improving the patient, employee and learner experience at Rush. This includes increasing access to care closer to home and improving organizational efficiency across the system. Mr. Walsh previously served as executive vice president and COO at Geisinger in Danville, Pa. Prior to that, he spent nearly 20 years with the Detroit-based Henry Ford Health System in multiple leadership roles.
Robert J. Wiehe. Senior Vice President and COO at UC Health (Cincinnati). Mr. Wiehe serves as senior vice president and COO of UC Health, where he leads all hospital operations across the health system. He joined UC Health in 2015 to oversee supply chain and pharmacy operations before becoming chief administrative officer of UC Medical Center in 2020 and assuming responsibility for systemwide hospital operations in 2021. Mr. Wiehe has expertise in operational performance, supply chain strategy and process improvement, leveraging his background in manufacturing engineering and global supply chain management. He previously managed manufacturing facilities and served as a supplier to major companies including Procter & Gamble and Walmart.
David Zambrana, PhD, DNP, RN. President and COO of Jackson Health System (Miami). Dr. Zambrana has 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry, with a career spanning nursing and operations roles at Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare, Cleveland Clinic, University of Miami Health System and Jackson Health System. He took on his current role as president and COO of Jackson Health System in January 2025. In this role, Dr. Zambrana is responsible for the oversight of day-to-day operations across the academic health system’s hospitals and medical centers.
