Akron-based Summa Health is making 10 changes to its executive team with the creation of three roles, elimination of four roles and appointments of three senior leaders, the Akron Beacon Journal reported Oct. 4.
The $1.4 billion Summa Health includes two hospital campuses and a rehab hospital in Akron and a hospital campus in Barberton, Ohio.
Cliff Deveny, MD, Summa Health president and CEO, said the leadership changes announced Oct. 4 are being made to better align the system with ongoing changes in healthcare, to become more efficient and to streamline decision making, the Akron Beacon Journal reported.
Changes are listed below.
Appointments
- Effective immediately, Ben Sutton is the COO of providers, in which he will oversee all inpatient, outpatient and ambulatory operations systemwide. Mr. Sutton was previously Summa's chief strategy officer and president of ambulatory care and clinical service lines.
- Effective Oct. 9, Bill Epling is the president of insurance and networks, in which he will oversee operations of SummaCare, NewHealth Collaborative, Summa Health Network and Ohio Health Choice. Mr. Epling is currently the president of SummaCare.
- Effective Oct. 9, Michelle Bisson is promoted from vice president of marketing to senior vice president of marketing and business development.
New roles
- President of Summa Health system hospitals: This leader will oversee the daily operations of Summa's Akron, Barberton and St. Thomas hospital campuses. Summa is seeking candidates with the aim to fill the position by 2023.
- Vice president of hospital operations: T.J. DeAngelis will assume the newly created role Nov. 20 to help ensure hospital campuses' strategic priorities are executed, with a specific focus on the Barberton campus. Mr. DeAngelis is currently vice president and CNO of the Barberton campus.
- Chief nursing officer, hospitals: This leader will be responsible for managing daily nursing operations systemwide. Summa is seeking candidates with the aim to fill the position by 2023.
Eliminated roles
- President of Summa Health System Akron and St. Thomas campuses: David Custodio, MD, will remain in the position through Nov. 18.
- President of Summa Health System Barberton Campus: Michael Hughes, MD, who has held the position since 2016, will remain in it through Nov. 18.
- Chief nursing officer of Summa Health System Akron and St. Thomas Campuses: Lorie Rhine, who currently holds the position, will leave the system Oct. 26 for a new position.
- Chief nursing officer of the Summa Health System Barberton Campus: This role will be eliminated with its current occupant, Mr. DeAngelis, taking on the new position of vice president of hospital operations effective Nov. 20.