Welcome to this week's Chutes & Ladders, our roundup of hirings, firings and retirings throughout the industry. Please submit the good news—or the bad—from your shop, and we will feature it here at the end of each week.
Margaret "Meg" Kabat has been sworn in as the Chief of Staff at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs where she replaces Kimberly Jackson. Kabat began as a licensed clinical social worker in the U.S. Navy in 2003, where she continued to take on more advanced positions through the VA's Caregiver Support Program, which sought to support caregivers of seriously ill and injured veterans. Her healthcare record has only grown from there. As the Senior Director of Atlas Research, she supported the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Sexual Assault Prevention Office and helped lead the COVID Nursing Home Commission in collaboration with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
In 2021, she became the senior advisor for families, caregivers, and survivors from January 2021 to January 2022 and since 2022 she has served as the VA’s principal senior advisor. In those roles, Kabat expanded women's reproductive health and in-vitro fertilization services for women veterans.
She has also received a Special Recognition Award from Disabled American Veterans (DAV), a VA Exemplary Service Award and a VA Exceptional Service Award.
“Meg is a tireless advocate for Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors—and we’re thrilled that she’s going to be helping lead VA in this critical role,” VA Secretary Denis McDonough said in a statement. “As our next chief of staff, she will undoubtedly continue to positively impact our organization and ensure we deliver on the most sacred mission there is: serving America’s Veterans.”
Victoria Loo has been tapped as the Peterson Health Technology Institute’s Senior Manager. The one-year-old company conducts evidence-based assessments of innovative digital health technologies like virtual diabetes prevention and musculoskeletal interventions. Loo has been tapped to support the clinical and economic assessments of digital health technologies of PHTI’s reports.
Loo was previously the Assistant Director of Reimbursement and Policy Insights at Cencora. Loo has also worked as a consultant supporting pharmaceutical manufacturers through health technology assessments.
Telehealth weight care company Found has hired Luca Ranaldi as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Ranaldi formerly held the position of chief operating officer at Spring Health, a mental health solution for employers and health plans. Found's former CEO Sarah Jones Simmer stepped down from the position in March.
“Found is uniquely equipped to meet the current need for accessible and clinically effective care, offering the best of consumer-friendly telehealth, the broadest set of medications and support from specialized providers and coaches, and comprehensive plans that are personalized for the patient’s needs,” Ranaldi told Fierce Healthcare in an email Q&A. “Continuing to build on this is of the utmost importance to me.
Read the full Q&A with Ranaldi here.
Marcus Wilson retired after nearly three decades at Elevance Health, formerly Anthem.
Erica Johnson is joining the American Board of Internal Medicine management team as Senior Vice President for Academic and Medical Affairs.
Darcy Smith has been hired as the inaugural Chief People Officer (CPO) for Compass Surgical Partners (Compass), an independent, full-service ambulatory surgery center (ASC) development and management partner.
InnovaCare Health, a leader in integrated and value-based healthcare services, announces the appointment of Marie “Kat” Alvarez as Chief Strategy Officer.
Lifepoint Health promoted Chris Frost to senior vice president, chief medical officer and chief quality officer and Klaus Boel to senior vice president, physician services.
Dorrie Dils, President and CEO of Gift of Life Michigan (GOLM), was appointed to a national post as the newly elected President of the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations.
Axuall hired Zach Phillips as its first-ever Chief Growth Officer. The Cleveland-based company provides clinical workforce intelligence technology.
American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), representing more than 14,000 nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, formally announced the appointment of Clifton J. Porter, II as the new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective fall 2024.
Palomar Health Medical Group tapped Russ Riehl as Interim President of the medical group.
The American Telemedicine Association announced its leadership council. Find its list of appointees here.