This roundup will be published monthly. It is meant to highlight some of healthcare’s recent hiring news and is not intended to be comprehensive. If you have news about an executive appointment, resignation or layoff that you would like to share for this roundup or the MedCity Moves podcast, please reach out to [email protected].
Here is a selection of recent executive hires, promotions and layoffs occurring across the healthcare industry.
Hires
With the Rise of AI, What IP Disputes in Healthcare Are Likely to Emerge?
Munck Wilson Mandala Partner Greg Howison shared his perspective on some of the legal ramifications around AI, IP, connected devices and the data they generate, in response to emailed questions.
Aledade welcomed Helena Day Christianson as chief people officer. In the past, she has held executive roles at tech companies like FitBit, Square, Block and Quantum Metric.
Banner Health appointed Michael Reagin to the newly created role of chief technology officer. He has held leadership roles at a variety of health systems, including Cleveland Clinic, Providence and Sentara Healthcare.
Cayaba Care got a new CEO — Adeaze Enekwechi, former associate director for health programs at the White House Office of Management and Budget. She currently holds several board positions at healthcare companies, including MedStar Health, Tia and the Public Health Institute.
Ervin Ukaj joined Newel Health as CEO. He most recently served as senior manager of strategy and growth at Novartis.
A Deep-dive Into Specialty Pharma
A specialty drug is a class of prescription medications used to treat complex, chronic or rare medical conditions. Although this classification was originally intended to define the treatment of rare, also termed “orphan” diseases, affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the US, more recently, specialty drugs have emerged as the cornerstone of treatment for chronic and complex diseases such as cancer, autoimmune conditions, diabetes, hepatitis C, and HIV/AIDS.
Chris Ricaurte joined digital health company Parsley Health as co-CEO alongside its founder Robin Berzin. He comes to Parsley from VillageMD, where he served as CFO and COO.
NRC Health appointed Jennifer Baron as its first chief experience officer. She comes to the company from UC Davis Health, where she served as chief experience officer.
VillageMD, which is owned by Walgreens, welcomed Jim Murray to the organization as president and COO. He joins the organization from Centene, where he most recently served as COO and chief transformation officer.
Exits
L.A. Care Health Plan CEO John Baackes will be retiring at the end of the year. He has been leading the company, which is the largest public health plan in the U.S., for nearly a decade.
Teladoc Health announced that its CEO, Jason Gorevic, had stepped down from his role after 15 years leading the company. The telehealth provider’s CFO, Mala Murthy, has stepped up as interim CEO.
Layoffs
98point6 eliminated an undisclosed number of positions.
Hinge Health laid off about 10% of its staff.
Optum is shutting down its virtual care business. Employees have taken to social media to post about their layoffs and seek new jobs, but the number of affected employees is unknown.
Sanofi is cutting an undisclosed number of jobs and getting rid of several oncology research projects.
UPMC is laying off about 1,000 staff members, which is 1% of its workforce. The affected roles are nonclinical.
