UnityPoint Health, UI Health Care unveil new leadership

UnityPoint Health and University of Iowa Health Care have each announced the appointment of new leaders to spearhead different departments of their organizations. Jim Leste is the new chief administrative officer of UI Health Care's Stead Family Children’s Hospital, replacing Pamela Johnson-Carlson, who departed the organization in January 2023.

Currently, Mr. Leste serves as vice president of operations for Children’s Minnesota, which provides care for youth throughout the upper Midwest at two free-standing hospitals, nine primary care clinics, multiple specialty clinics, and seven rehabilitation sites. Beginning July 29, he will “provide on-site leadership, which includes managing financial performance, clinical quality, and employee, physician, and community relations,” according to UI Health Care, in its June 26 announcement. “Jim is a strong advocate of family and patient-centered care, and his health care leadership experience shows a strong focus on building strong and inclusive relationships and partnerships," Brad Haws, chief executive officer of UI Health Care’s clinical enterprise, said in a statement. “We’re looking forward to having him join our children’s hospital team in serving our youngest patients and their families.” Mr. Leste, a board-certified fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives, has held several leadership positions at Children's Minnesota over the past two decades. His roles have included vice president of support operations, senior director of surgical specialties, and director of safety, security, and emergency management, among others. In addition, Mr. Leste is a 14-year board member and past board chair of Life Link III, a consortium-owned critical care air medical transport company. He has also served as adjunct faculty at Saint Mary's University in Minnesota. “For 25 years, my professional career has been about helping kids,” Mr. Leste said in a statement. “It's an honor to be able to continue that work at UI Health Care and Stead Family Children's Hospital. This organization is a shining example of clinical excellence and family-centered pediatric care with a best-in-class reputation. I'm grateful to be joining this team of exceptional professionals and look forward to working side-by-side with them to continue the mission of helping kids.” The medical institution has not immediately released Mr. Leste’s salary figure, but his predecessor, Ms. Johnson-Carlson, was earning an annual income of $426,703 prior to her departure.

New chief administrative officer announced for UI Health Care’s downtown campus

In addition to its recent hiring of Jim Leste, UI Health Care announced that Jennifer Miller, a support services director since 2014, has been promoted as chief administrative officer for the downtown campus effective July 8.

“Jennifer has been a trusted leader with UI Health Care for over a decade, and her strategic vision and personable leadership style will be a valuable asset for our downtown campus patients, providers, and colleagues," Mr. Haws said in a June 24 statement. “She has a keen ability to foster collaboration across departments and has shown a great commitment to patient care and innovation.” As chief administrative officer for the downtown campus – formerly Mercy Iowa City – Ms. Miller will provide “on-site leadership, which includes managing financial performance, clinical quality, and employee, physician, and community relations,” according to UI Health Care. Ms. Miller has spent a decade in her current role, overseeing the daily operations of the accreditation, environmental, central sterilization, engineering, materials, food and nutrition services; safety and security; supply chain; and the University Employee Health Clinic for the clinical enterprise of UI Health Care. When Mercy Iowa City officially made the switch to UI Health Care Downtown Campus in January, Ms. Miller was able to successfully integrate the medical institution’s supply chain and support services operations. Additionally, she helped manage contract agreements and facilitated “continued procurement of medical and critical hospital supplies and services,” according to UI Health Care. Her role was also expanded to include new direct reports and departments at the downtown campus. “It is a true honor to have the opportunity to serve the downtown campus as chief administrative officer. I have been so inspired by the employees’ and physicians’ commitment to patient care, and I look forward to furthering our mission of serving the community together,” Ms. Miller said in a statement. In her role as support services director, Ms. Miller’s annual salary was $219,596. Prior to her promotion, UI Health Care hired independent contractor Deborah Berini as a temporary chief integration officer and chief administrative officer to lead management and integration of the new campus. Ms. Berini was paid $65,000/month, according to her contract. She vacated her position May 10.

Dr. Gregory R. Johnson named UnityPoint Health’s Chief Medical Officer

On June 13, UnityPoint Health announced the appointment of Gregory R. Johnson, former CEO of hospital medicine and chief health equity and diversity officer at Sound Physicians in Tacoma, Washington, as their new chief medical officer.

In his new role, Dr. Johnson will “lead UnityPoint Health’s provider workforce and enterprise-wide initiatives focused on quality of care, patient experience, safety, care coordination and service line development,” according to UnityPoint Health. “We’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Johnson to our organization, as he is a strategic, forward-thinking leader who is committed to delivering exceptional, compassionate care to our patients and communities,” UnityPoint Health president and CEO, Scott Kizer, said in a statement. The new chief medical officer brings over 15 years of clinical executive experience to his new role, holding multiple positions within Sound Physicians, a multispecialty medical group that practices community-based medicine in 400-plus hospitals across 45 states. “As a physician leader, Dr. Johnson is adept at determining where both people and organizations should be focused in terms of growth and development,” Annie Fowler, chief people officer at Sound Physicians, said in a 2018 blog post. “(I) admire Greg’s ability to create a culture that focuses on delivering great patient care with a foundation of teamwork, camaraderie, and collaboration to help teams reach common goals.” Dr. Johnson is a graduate of Dartmouth College and the McGovern School of Medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. He completed his residency training in both internal medicine and family practice at the Ochsner Clinic in New Orleans, where he also served as chief resident.