HJBR Nov/Dec 2022

58 NOV / DEC 2022  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE   Hospital Rounds organizations navigate growth and complex part- nerships for more than 14 years. A Kentucky native, November earned a Bache- lor of Science in accounting and juris doctor from the University of Kentucky. For nearly 15 years, November has proudly called Louisiana home with his wife and two adult children. He is an active member of the community and currently serves on the board of trustees for the National World War II Museum. Over the coming weeks, the Ochsner Health board of directors and senior leadership team will work together to ensure a smooth transition of leadership.. Spine Hospital of La. Welcomes NewCEO The Spine Hospital of Louisiana at the Neuro- Medical Center announced Terri L. Hicks as its new chief executive officer. Hicks succeeds former president and CEO Robert D. Blair, who held the hospital’s top leadership role for 12 years. Hicks joined The Spine Hospital Aug. 22 and officially assumed the CEO role Oct. 1. Hicks was selected as the new CEO following a comprehensive national search led by the hos- pital’s board of directors. She brings more than 30 years of senior healthcare administration and operations to the role. Hicks was the chief financial officer/chief oper- ations officer at P&S Surgical Hospital in Monroe, while also overseeing management of a second surgical hospital, Monroe Surgical Hospital. In her most recent position, she served as the CFO for St. Francis Medical Center. “Terri brings a tremendous proven track record in healthcare administration and particularly, an appreciation and knowledge of the specialty hos- pital industry. Having someone who knows the importance and detail of daily operations, while seeing the big picture and growth potential is essential to our continued success,” said Greg Fautheree, MD, chairman of the board. Kelly Scrantz, MD, chief medical officer said, “We are elated to bring Terri on board, as she genuinely values the importance of our focus on patient satisfaction and quality outcomes, always putting the patient first. As CEO, Terri will provide overall leadership and direction for the organi- zation, carrying our facility into the future with a Warner Thomas Takes New Role as President &CEO of Sutter Health, Pete November Named Ochsner Health CEO Ochsner Health’s board of directors announced that after 24 years of service to the organization, Warner Thomas will enter the next chapter of his career as president and CEO of Sutter Health, an integrated not-for-profit network of 22 hospitals, 12,000 aligned physicians, 53,000 employees, and over $14 billion in revenue in 2021. The Ochsner Health board has unanimously voted to appoint Pete November, Ochsner Health’s current execu- tive vice president and chief financial officer, as Thomas’s successor. November will assume the role of CEO on Nov. 1, 2022. “Since joining Ochsner in 1998, and assuming the role of President and CEO in 2012, Warner has been instrumental in our growth and success. Under Warner’s leadership, Ochsner Health has expanded across Louisiana and the Gulf South and built a national reputation for quality and excellence,” said Andy Wisdom, chair of Och- sner Health’s board of directors. “Warner’s leg- acy will live on at Ochsner for many years to come. On behalf of the entire Board of Directors, we are grateful for Warner’s visionary leadership, and we wish him the very best in this next chapter.” Under Thomas’ leadership, Ochsner has become a regional healthcare destination with nationally recognized centers of excellence and the top-ranked hospital in Louisiana for the past 11 years by U.S. News & World Report . During his tenure as CEO, Thomas has led the organiza- tion through a period of transformation, tripling the size of the health system from nearly 13,000 to approximately 36,000 employees, from 860 to more than 2,300 physicians, and providing high- quality care in 40 hospitals serving our communi- ties across Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. He has championed workforce development programs and assisted in the creation of aca- demic partnerships with universities and tech- nical colleges across the region to build a pipe- line of healthcare professionals for generations to come. His vision to improve the health of our region includes Ochsner’s Healthy State by 2030 initiative with an ambitious goal to raise Louisiana in national health rankings to 40th by 2030 backed by a $100 million initial investment. “Leading Ochsner Health over the past 10 years will be one of the greatest accomplishments of my career,” Thomas noted. “I leave Ochsner with a tremendous amount of pride and satisfaction, but also a tremendous confidence in the future of the organization and the great accomplishments that are yet to come. With Pete at the helm and the exceptional leadership team in place, Ochsner Health will continue to navigate the challenges brought on by a changing healthcare landscape.” Since joining Ochsner in 2012, November has held numerous senior leadership positions within the organization with responsibility ranging from operations and finance to partnership develop- ment and digital health. Through these roles, he has been involved in nearly every aspect of the organization. Notably, during his tenure at Och- sner, November spearheaded the development of Ochsner LSU Health System of North Louisi- ana, creating meaningful impact within the region through the hiring of more than 300 physicians, expansion of behavioral health services, and investment of more than $200 million. “Pete is an exemplary leader who has a deep understanding of Ochsner Health, our patients and the communities we serve,” said Wisdom. “Over the last several years we’ve developed a clear leadership succession plan, and the Board’s unanimous vote is a strong signal of our confi- dence in Pete to build on Ochsner’s foundation of excellence to ensure we remain strong for many years to come.” “This organization is an incredibly special place, and I am grateful to the Board for the opportunity to help shape its bright future,” said November. “It is a privilege to partner with our 36,000 employ- ees and physicians to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of the communities we serve. As the leading health system in the Gulf South, I take seriously the responsibility we have to fulfill our mission, deliver innovative care and keep Och- sner strong for years to come.” Before joining Ochsner in 2012, Novem- ber served as executive vice president, general counsel and head of acquisitions for LHC Group, Inc., one of the nation’s largest providers of post- acute healthcare services headquartered in Lafay- ette. Prior to LHC Group, Inc., he was an equity partner with Alston & Bird, an international law firm, where he helped a wide range of healthcare