Albert Wright has been named COO of Morgantown-based West Virginia University Medicine.
Here are five things to know about Mr. Wright.
1. He will take on the COO role in addition to his current role as president and CEO of WVU Hospitals.
2. He will have oversight of all WVU Medicine hospital operations across West Virginia.
3. Prior to serving as president and CEO of WVU Hospitals for more than a year, Mr. Wright served in a variety of senior-level positions at other institutions, including vice president for operations at Pittsburgh-based UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside.
4. Christopher Colenda, MD, president and CEO of WVU Medicine said Mr. Wright's appointment to COO is meant "to help further integrate the health system and position it for long-term success, with the ability to respond effectively to the many current and future challenges in healthcare."
5. In addition to Mr. Wright's appointment, Dr. Colenda also announced the following leadership changes and appointments.
- Dan Martich, MD, WVU Medicine's CMO, was named president of WVU Medicine Community Physicians, the system's new physician division.
- John Forester, who currently leads United Physician Care, a WVU Medicine organization that will be rebranded as WVU Medicine Community Physicians, will serve as senior vice president and COO of the physician division.
- Dottie Oakes, who has been the vice president and CNO at Ruby Memorial Hospital and Chestnut Ridge Center, both in Morgantown, for 12 years, will assume systemwide responsibilities as CNO.
- Bob O'Neil, who now serves as our chief legal officer and general counsel, will become senior vice president.