Hospitals and health systems are increasingly looking internally to fill CEO positions as the number of CEO exits rises. Chief Operating Officers (COOs) have emerged as the most common candidates for promotions, followed by Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) and other C-suite roles. This summary provides a list of recent internal CEO promotions categorized by previous C-suite positions, including COOs, CMOs, CFOs, CNOs, and others.
With the increasing number of CEO exits, hospitals and health systems are exploring internal options to fill the vacant positions. However, in a C-suite filled with talented individuals, the question arises: who is best suited to take on the role of CEO?
Becker’s has compiled a list of this year’s internal CEO promotions, categorizing them based on the appointee’s most recent C-suite position. Chief Operating Officers (COOs) emerged as the most common candidates for CEO promotions, surpassing other C-level executives by a significant margin. Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) also witnessed a considerable number of CEO promotions, while a few individuals from unconventional C-level roles found their way to the top.
Editor’s Note: Some of the leaders mentioned held dual C-suite positions before being promoted to CEO. Their transitions are listed under all relevant job titles.
It’s important to note that the list provided is not exhaustive and only covers internal promotions within hospitals or health systems since January 2023. If there are any CEO moves that we have missed, you can submit them via email to akayser@beckershealthcare.com.
Here are the internal CEO promotions listed by the appointee’s previous C-suite role:
Chief Operating Officer — 27 promotions:
1. Cindy Meyer was promoted from COO to interim President and CEO of Rogers Behavioral Health, based in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin.
2. Rozanna Penney, CRNA, who held positions as Chief Nursing Officer (CNO), COO, Vice President of Patient Care Services, and Executive Director of Heywood Medical Group, was named co-CEO of Heywood Healthcare in Gardner, Massachusetts, as part of a new leadership structure.
3. Nichole Geraci advanced from COO to President and CEO of ACMH Hospital, located in Kittanning, Pennsylvania.
4. Chad Grant, former Chief Operating Officer, assumed the role of interim CEO at McLaren Northern Michigan in Petoskey.
5. Brian Canfield was promoted from COO to President and CEO of Blessing Health, headquartered in Quincy, Illinois.
6. Jill Wehner, who served as COO and Vice President of Fiscal Services for Harbor Beach Community Hospital in Michigan, was appointed President and CEO.
7. Paige Laughlin transitioned from COO to interim CEO of HCA Florida Blake Hospital in Bradenton, which is part of HCA Healthcare.
8. Darrin Smith, previously the Vice President and COO of Parkview Health System in Pueblo, Colorado, became the CEO.
9. Corey Lovelace moved from COO of HCA Florida Kendall Hospital in Miami to assume the CEO position at HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital in Port St. Lucie.
10. Fred Valtairo, BSN, RN, was named CEO of Placentia-Linda Hospital in California, a Tenet Healthcare facility, after serving as its COO.
11. Jamie Yoo, who formerly held the position of Chief Strategic Operating Officer, was appointed CEO of CHA Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center.
12. Lynn Buskill, Chief Operating Officer of John C. Fremont Healthcare District in Mariposa, California, assumed the role of interim CEO.
13. Wally De Aquino was promoted from COO of AdventHealth Palm Coast in Florida to President and CEO of its new Parkway hospital.
14. Dave Hyatt advanced from Chief Operating Officer to President and CEO of Riverview Health, located in Noblesville, Indiana.
15. Stephen Bowerman was named President and CEO of Midland Health in Texas, having previously served as COO.
16. Crystal Hayden, DNP, RN, moved from COO of UNC Health Nash in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, to become President and CEO of UNC Health Lenoir.
17. Lori Rakes, RN, transitioned from COO to CEO of Piedmont Cartersville Medical Center in Georgia.
18. Matko Vranjes, COO of Watsonville Community Hospital in California, assumed the role of interim CEO.
19. Seth Kronenberg, MD, was appointed President and CEO of Crouse Health in Syracuse, New York, after serving as joint Chief Operating Officer/Chief Medical Officer.
20. Tom Frank, former COO of North Country Hospital in Newport, Vermont, returned to take on the CEO position.
21. Robin Hynds, MSN, RN, COO of Lawrence General Hospital in Massachusetts, was named interim CEO.
22. Buffy Key, COO of Cookeville Regional Medical Center in Tennessee, became interim CEO.
23. Cara Beatty, MD, was promoted from COO to Chief Executive of Providence Clinical Network for Eastern Washington and Montana.
24. Lloyd Guidry Jr., PharmD, transitioned from COO to CEO of Lady of the Sea General Hospital in Galliano, Louisiana.
25. Michael Backus was promoted from Executive Vice President and COO to President and CEO of Oswego Health in New York.
26. Howard Chrisman, MD, assumed the role of CEO at Northwestern Memorial HealthCare in Chicago after serving as President and Chief Operating Officer.
27. Cathy Edmisten, RN, was appointed CEO of HCA Florida South Shore Hospital in Sun City Center after serving as COO of HCA Virginia Johnston-Willis Hospital in Richmond.
Chief Medical Officer — 8 promotions:
1. Clint Seger, MD, was promoted from interim CEO to permanent CEO of Billings Clinic in Montana. He previously served as the regional Chief Medical Officer for eight years.
2. Monica Hum, MD, moved from Chief Medical Officer to CEO of Piedmont Rockdale Hospital in Conyers, Georgia.
3. Saba Habis, MD, transitioned from the Chief Medical Officer role in HCA Healthcare South Atlantic Division to the CEO position at West Hills Hospital in California, which is also part of HCA.
4. Sebastian Strom, MD, became the CEO of HCA Florida Largo Hospital after serving as Chief Medical Officer for HCA Healthcare’s South Atlantic Division.
5. Seth Kronenberg, MD, was named President and CEO of Crouse Health in Syracuse, New York, after serving as joint Chief Operating Officer/Chief Medical Officer.
6. Nancy DiLiegro, Ph.D., was appointed President and CEO of Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth, New Jersey. She previously held the position of Chief Clinical Officer.
7. Gene Ma, MD, moved from Chief Medical Officer to interim President and CEO of Tri-City Healthcare District in Oceanside, California.
8. Michelle Krause, MD, assumed the role of Senior Vice Chancellor for UAMS Health and CEO of UAMS Medical Center after serving as the health system’s Chief Clinical Officer.
Chief Financial Officer — 4 promotions:
1. Joy Coulston was promoted from CFO to CEO of Powell Valley Hospital in Wyoming.
2. Jeremiah Sweet, CFO of Oneida Health, became interim President and CEO of the health system.
3. Jared Stimpson was named CEO of Perry County Memorial Hospital in Tell City, Indiana, which is affiliated with the Deaconess Health System. He previously served as Regional CFO and Director of Affiliated Hospitals for Deaconess.
4. Amber Williams was promoted from CFO to CEO of Southwest Medical Center in Liberal, Kansas.
Chief Nursing Officer — 2 promotions:
1. Rozanna Penney, CRNA, who held positions as Chief Nursing Officer, COO, Vice President of Patient Care Services, and Executive Director of Heywood Medical Group, was named co-CEO of Heywood Healthcare in Gardner, Massachusetts, as part of a new leadership structure.
2. Maralyn Militello, BSN, RN, advanced from Chief Nursing Officer to CEO of Eastern Niagara Hospital in Lockport, New York. Please note that the hospital is set to close on June 17.
Chief Administrative Officer — 1 promotion:
1. Chris Blair, BSN, was appointed CEO of Northwest Medical Center-Bentonville in Arkansas. He previously served as the interim CEO and Chief Administrative Officer of another hospital within Northwest Health, based in Springdale, Arkansas.
Chief Ancillary Officer — 1 promotion:
1. Dawn Unruh, MSN, RN, was named CEO of Artesian Valley Health System in Meade, Kansas, after previously serving as Corporate Compliance and Chief Ancillary Officer.
Chief Information Officer — 1 promotion:
1. Kyle Marek was promoted from interim to permanent President and CEO of Carteret Health Care, a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network located in Morehead City, North Carolina. He previously held the positions of Chief Information Officer and Vice President of General Services.
Chief Legal Officer — 1 promotion:
1. Jason Hannagan, Chief Ambulatory/Legal Officer at Olathe Health in Kansas, was appointed interim CEO.
Chief Strategy Officer — 1 promotion:
1. Fahad Tahir was promoted from Chief Strategy Officer to President and CEO of Ascension Saint Thomas in Nashville, Tennessee.
