Health care planning veteran Val Williams joined HDR, based in the firm’s Denver office. Williams will work with health care clients to design spaces that support and enhance health delivery now and in the future, while also assisting them to consider new ways of working to improve operational efficiencies and patient outcomes.
Memorial Hermann Health System Board announced the appointment of Benjamin K. Chu, M.D., MPH, MACP, as the system’s new president and CEO, effective June 2016. Chu has a four-decade-long career as a physician, administrator and policy advocate. He is currently the executive vice president of Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and Health Plan Inc., and group president of Kaiser Permanente Southern California and Georgia.
Mercy Health in Toledo, Ohio has tapped John Starcher to become president and CEO of the $6 billion health care company, beginning next year. Starcher will be in charge of the 23 hospitals in Ohio and Kentucky that Mercy Health operates. He graduated from Bowling Green State University and the University of Toledo College of Law.
Gary L. Bebow, CEO of White River Health System in Batesville, Ark., recently announced the appointment of Robyn Sweet, RNP, as director of White River Health System Rural Health Clinics. Sweet will be responsible for managing and monitoring daily office operations and maximize efficiency. She will coordinate with clinic providers and staff, manage clinic finances and general office planning in the Cave City, Drasco, Melbourne, Pleasant Plains and Strawberry clinics.
Los Angeles-based, CO Architects promoted Gina Chang, AIA from senior associate to associate principal. Chang joined the firm in 2007 and has more than 15 years of experience in architecture working as a project manager, health care architect and medical planner, and she has worked with many large teams on complex projects. Chang received a Bachelor of Arts in architecture from the University of California, Berkeley and is certified in evidence-based design.
The Parkland Health and Hospital System Board of Managers welcomes Robert D. Martinez, who was appointed by Dallas County Commissioner Elba Garcia DDS, last month. Martinez is a litigator with experience in civil, criminal, arbitration and regulatory areas and is also a community leader with extensive board service including public speaking and general counsel roles.
Terrell N. Musgrove III, AIA, joined Houston-headquartered civil engineering firm Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam Inc., as a program manager. Musgrove has nearly 30 years of experience managing education, federal and health care projects of various sizes from inception to completion.
Daniel Styf was hired as senior vice president and the new CEO of Memorial Hermann Health System’s health plan business, Memorial Hermann Health Plans. Before coming to Memorial Hermann, Styf was the senior vice president of Piedmont WellStar Health Plan in Atlanta.
HDR announced the hire of Kathleen Woods to the company’s Boston office as a senior health care consultant. Woods will be working to help the company’s health care clients develop more efficient strategies to serve patients, families and health care providers better. She has over 30 years of nursing experience and over 15 years working in leadership roles. Woods joins HDR from St.
Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) has named Peggy Sebastian, MSN, the new president and CEO of HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Belleville, Ill. Sebastian has served as president and CEO of HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital in Highland, Ill., since 2009 and will begin her new position at St. Elizabeth’s on Jan. 18. She has more than 35 years of experience in health care administration and oversaw St.
