PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — Lehigh Valley Health Network’s longtime CEO is taking on a new role with Jefferson Health immediately.
Jefferson Health acquired LVHN last year to form a health system with 32 hospitals and 65,000 employees.
Dr. Brian Nester, who has led LVHN since 2014, is taking on an expanded role as executive vice president and chief operating officer of Jefferson, according to a statement from the health system.
Dr. Baligh Yehia, Jefferson Health’s president, will now lead LVHN, too, focusing on driving growth and unification of the combined health system and clinical operations across both legacy organizations, according to the statement.
Nester’s new job will include leadership of Jefferson Health Plans, the system’s insurance marketplace, as well as ambulatory surgery centers, laboratories and imaging centers.
He also will be responsible for technology services and Jefferson’s joint venture portfolio and related businesses, the health system said.
“These leadership updates mark an important milestone in our integration journey as we create a stronger foundation for growth, innovation, and excellent patient care,” said Jefferson Health CEO Dr. Joseph G. Cacchione in a prepared statement. “This positions us to better serve our communities today and well into the future.”
The changes in the senior leadership team's responsibilities were announced Tuesday.
Jefferson completed its acquisition of LVHN last Aug. 1 after months of planning.
“These leadership updates mark an important milestone in our integration journey as we create a stronger foundation for growth, innovation, and excellent patient care.”Dr. Joseph G. Cacchione, Jefferson Health CEO
The move broadened Jefferson Health’s reach as the health system took on LVHN’s 20,000 employees and 13 hospital campuses immediately north of Philadelphia and its suburbs.
During the acquisition, Yehia led integration efforts at Jefferson Health while Nester led the LVHN side.
More than 60 projects in clinical and operational areas, according to the statement, included:
- Expansion of Jefferson Health’s T-cell therapy program to LVHN Cedar Crest;
- Unification of the health systems’ nursing and patient experience teams;
- Continued integration of various technology enablement platforms; and
- Growth of Jefferson Health Plans, especially in the counties served by LVHN.
Other leadership changes include Annette White, who was with LVHN and most recently served as special enterprise counsel for Jefferson Health, taking on a new role. She's now executive vice president and chief administrative officer overseeing human capital and real estate. She will also continue to serve as special enterprise counsel responsible for legal health plan insurance and population health services.
And, Mark Whalen will serve as executive vice president and chief strategy and transformation officer.
