Catching up with College of Health Professions alumni, students: 3/15

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Catching up with College of Health Professions alumni, students

by Lilia B. Correa
College of Health Professions

Ninfa M. Saunders, DHA, R.N., was named the incoming president and chief executive officer of the Central Georgia Health System and the Medical Center of Central Georgia, according to a news release. Saunders completed her doctorate in health care administration at MUSC in 2006.

With nearly 40 years of hospital administrative and clinical experience, Saunders was most recently the president and chief operating officer of Virtua Health, the largest health system in southern New Jersey, which operates four hospitals, two rehabilitation centers, and senior services, home care, ambulatory and outpatient services.

Bill Tift, M.D., chairman of the medical executive committee and co-chair of the search committee, said, "She is very well-educated, has vast clinical and administrative experience, and has the enthusiasm and energy to lead us through the exciting changes taking place in health care."

Saunders received the 2012 Outstanding Citizenship and Good Neighbor Award by the American Red Cross and was named by South Jersey Magazine as a "Woman to Watch in New Jersey" in 2012.
Saunders was recently highlighted in Bridges, a publication from the Institute for Diversity in Health Management and an affiliate of the American Hospital Association. She answered questions regarding her decision to enter the health care industry, the challenges she has faced and advice for racially and ethnically diverse individuals who seek to enter the field.

Ugwueke appointed as chief operating officer
Michael Ugwueke, DHA, a 2001 MUSC graduate, was recently appointed as the new executive vice president and chief operating officer of Tennessee's Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare System.

Ugwueke was senior vice president of Methodist North and South Hospitals and transitioned to his new role in January. As COO, Ugwueke will provide strategic and operational leadership for adult inpatient hospitals and their affiliated companies. Ugwueke has more than 26 years of experience in planning and operational leadership roles within health care organizations in Atlanta, Sarasota, Fla., Washington D.C., and the Chicago area.

Gannotta named new CEO at Duke Raleigh Hospital
Rick Gannotta, DHA, R.N., was named the new CEO of Duke Raleigh Hospital in January. He graduated from MUSC in 2009.

Prior to joining Duke in 2006, Gannotta worked for WakeMed's Raleigh, N.C. campus as senior vice president and administrator, vice president of operations and patient care, chief nursing officer and executive director of the WakeMed Heart Center.

Gannotta is a faculty member for the Duke University School of Nursing and teaches in the health care leadership track. His research interests include patient safety, new models of health care delivery, and health care policy and reform. A registered nurse and nurse practitioner, he received his doctorate in health administration from MUSC.

Alumnus awarded $100K endowed professorship
The LSU Health Sciences Center School of Public Health in New Orleans awarded MUSC alumnus Peggy Honoré, DHA, a $100,000 endowed professorship from The AmeriHealth Mercy Family of Companies. Honoré, associate professor of public health, graduated from MUSC in 2003. Her endowed professorship honors Gen. Russell Honoré for making substantial contributions to Louisiana citizens during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Esparza co-author of leadership book
Salvador J. Esparza, DHA, R.N., and two other authors published a textbook titled "New Leadership for Today's Health Care." The book includes case studies to engage students in real-world scenarios and further their comprehension of the health care industry. Esparza, an assistant professor at California State University in Northridge, Calif., graduated from MUSC in 2010.

Coltman earns award at SC Hospital Association meeting
Kinneil Coltman, DHA, a 2012 MUSC graduate, received the Early Career Healthcare Executive Regents Award at the South Carolina Hospital Association's 92nd annual meeting in January. The award is granted by the American College of Healthcare Executives.

DHA student receives appointment
The American Hospital Association approved Anthony Stanowski, an MUSC student in the doctorate of health administration program, to serve as a Region 3 member for AHA's Committee on Governance for 2013. Stanowski is vice president of industry relations at Aramark Healthcare and a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. He is slated to graduate from MUSC in 2014. The committee, which has 28 members, is the primary vehicle for leading effective trustee involvement in grassroots advocacy and providing input into AHA policy development, while enhancing communications and involvement of trustees in AHA.

Friday, March 15, 2013

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