Four NorthShore-Edward-Elmhurst Health hospitals in the Chicago area will have new presidents next year, three of them women.
The changes are part of a series of leadership appointments announced by the Evanston, Ill.-based health system Oct. 9.
Gabrielle Cummings will become president of Evanston Hospital and NorthShore acute and ambulatory operations. She will take over for Doug Silverstein, the current president of Evanston Hospital, who will retire at year's end, according to a news release. Ms. Cummings will be responsible for operations of Evanston Hospital and serve as the senior operations executive for the NorthShore Hospitals group. In her expanded role, she will also continue to lead the NorthShore-Edward-Elmhurst Health laboratory and pathology service line. Ms. Cummings has served as president of Highland Park Hospital since 2018.
Dave Rahija was named president of NorthShore-Edward-Elmhurst Health Medical Group operations. This appointment, and Ms. Cummings' expanded role, is part of the new leadership structure for Evanston, Glenbrook, Highland Park and Skokie hospitals, and for the health system's integrated medical group, according to the release. Mr. Rahija is currently president of Skokie Hospital. He is also system executive responsible for the Orthopaedic & Spine Institute.
With the changes involving Ms. Cummings and Mr. Rahija, Gus Granchalek will become president of Skokie Hospital. Mr. Granchalek has spent five years as the operational leader responsible for the health system's surgical services service line.
Maria Knecht, RN, senior vice president and chief nursing officer of Glenbrook Hospital, will become president of Glenbrook Hospital. Ms. Knecht has held various nursing and operational leadership roles within NorthShore-Edward-Elmhurst Health. She will take over for Jesse Peterson Hall, who will retire from NorthShore next year following the launch of the Cardiovascular Institute at Glenbrook Hospital.
Nikki Fernandez, RN, will become president of Highland Park Hospital and NorthShore chief nursing officer. Ms. Fernandez has spent more than two decades at NorthShore in various nursing and operational leadership roles.
The new hospital presidents will begin their roles in January.