Bud Zborowski Named Vice President of WellStar Health Park Operations

C.A. “Bud” Zborowski has joined WellStar as vice president of Health Park Operations. His responsibilities will include day-to-day operations, ensuring customer-focused service and the financial leadership of WellStar Health Parks. Bud will report to Robert Jansen, M.D., Executive Vice President WellStar Medical Group President.

Most recently, Bud was a principal in the Garfield Park Group, which works with healthcare companies to address market development and business growth. He brings to WellStar significant experience in development imaging centers and outpatient care services.  During his 30 plus year career, he has held a number of leadership roles in healthcare industry companies including Polycom, Inc., Neotonus, Inc., Cornerstone Health Management, Health Images, Inc., American Medical Buildings and Tenet Healthcare.

New WellStar Cobb Hospital President

Kem Marshall Mullins joined WellStar on April 23 as Senior Vice President and WellStar Cobb Hospital President. In this position, he will be responsible for day-to-day operations and strategic planning for WellStar Cobb Hospital. Most recently, Kem served as chief executive officer for Tenet Healthcare Corporation’s Saint Francis Hospital – Bartlett, a 156-bed medical/surgical hospital in Memphis, Tenn. During his time at Saint Francis, he achieved 5-Star patient satisfaction scores for four years running, improved physician satisfaction, lowered infections rates and improved financial performance at the hospital.

He brings more than 16 years of hospital administration experience including serving as chief operating officer for Atlanta Medical Center and Tenet Healthcare’s Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro, Ark. He also was associate administrator at University Medical Center in Lebanon, Tenn., and Williamson Memorial Hospital, in Williamson, W. Va. Kem has a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration from Marshall University in Huntington, W.Va., and a master’s degree in finance from Morehead State University in Morehead, Ky.

Realignment of Leadership Roles: From Reynold Jennings, President & CEO of WellStar Health System

When I was selected as President & CEO last fall, one of my main goals was to develop a solid management structure that would provide continuity of leadership going forward. To achieve our vision of delivering world-class healthcare, we must fully integrate physicians with our seasoned, experienced management team to provide our System’s future strategic direction.

To reach this goal, I am restructuring the roles of some of our senior leadership team effective March 1, 2012. Jim Budzinski, Executive Vice President & CFO, Mike Graue, Executive Vice President & COO, and Robert Jansen, M.D., who has been promoted to Executive Vice President & WellStar Medical Group President, will assist me with strategic oversight. I am empowering and authorizing them to act on my behalf, when needed, to drive the strategic decisions throughout our System.

Jim Budzinski will have responsibility for all financial areas including accounting, budget and analysis, finance, internal audit, managed care, revenue cycle and supply chain. In addition, I recently asked Jim to oversee the vital information technology area. Mike Graue’s responsibilities will be aligned to focus on facility operations. All WellStar hospital presidents, service line vice presidents as well as our nursing and performance innovation leaders will report to Mike. As part of this realignment, the vice presidents of medical affairs will now report directly to their hospital president.

Along with his responsibilities as President of the WellStar Medical Group, Dr. Jansen will lead our operations that require clinical direction through physician leadership. Service line chiefs and leaders of our Community Health Clinics, Health Parks Operations, Home Health, Hospice and Palliative Care, Hospitalists, Imaging and Outpatient Rehabilitation will report to Dr. Jansen.

In addition, Marcia Delk, M.D., Senior Vice President of Safety & Quality and Credentialing & Chief Quality Officer, will report directly to me along with the leaders overseeing the Foundation, Human Resources, Legal, Public & Government Affairs and Strategic Business Development. The attached new organizational chart will further explain the realignment and shift in responsibilities.

I also would like to announce that Douglas Lundy, M.D., of Resurgeons Orthopaedics, and Mark Diehl, M.D., of Pinnacle Orthopaedics, have been named co-chiefs of our new Musculoskeletal Service Line. Chiefs of our new Behavioral Health and Neurosciences Service Lines will be announced in the near future.

With the maturation of our clinical service lines, many of the duties of the Chief Medical Officer will be absorbed by the service line Cabinets and Councils. Kenneth Kunze, M.D., will become Senior Vice President of Special Projects and has graciously agreed to assist in the transition and to help me on several special projects. I greatly appreciate his contributions and ongoing support.

I strongly believe this realignment will enhance communications and allow us to respond more quickly and decisively to the challenges and opportunities ahead. Thank you for all you do for WellStar.

WellStar Appoints Vice President and Chief of Hospitalist Services

Val Akopov, M.D., has joined WellStar as vice president and chief of hospitalist services. In his new role, which began Jan. 3, Dr. Akopov will oversee 35 hospitalists at WellStar Cobb, Douglas, Kennestone, Paulding and Windy Hill Hospitals.

Dr. Akopov brings more than 25 years of healthcare experience to WellStar. Most recently, he served as director of hospital medicine services for Emory University Hospital Midtown (EUHM) where he helped establish the facility’s academic hospitalist program. Under his leadership, EUHM’s hospital medicine program grew from eight full-time employees to more than 30. His leadership will have a positive impact on our hospitalists’ ability to provide the highest quality care to the inpatients at WellStar’s hospitals.

WellStar’s hospitalists play an important role in inpatient care and are typically trained in internal medicine. From admission through discharge, they focus exclusively on inpatient care and may order tests, monitor a patient’s recovery from surgery, prescribe medicine, and implement treatment options to ensure a patient’s best outcome.

Prior to his position as EUHM’s director of hospital medicine, Dr. Akopov was the hospital’s director of care coordination, where he oversaw operations of Social Services and the Utilization Review Department. Under his supervision, the hospital improved key metrics including mortality, length of
stay and core measures compliance.

In 2009, Dr. Akopov was appointed EUMH Associate Chief of Medicine. Academically, he served as assistant professor of medicine for Emory University School of Medicine and associate program director with the J. Willis Hurst Internal Medicine Residency Program at EUHM. While at Emory, Dr. Akopov received a number of teaching awards including multiple Golden Apple Teaching Awards, Emory Hospital Medicine teaching Award and Overall Excellence in Hospital Medicine Award.

Dr. Akopov is board certified in internal medicine. He received his medical degree from Tbilisi (Republic of Georgia) Medical Institute and completed his residency in internal medicine at Emory University Hospital.

Robert Jansen, M.D., Named Senior Vice President & WellStar Medical Group President

Robert Jansen, M.D., has been named president of the WellStar Medical Group (WMG). Dr. Jansen has served admirably as interim president for the past seven months. With more than 27 years of experience within our System, he understands the private practice of medicine and clearly has shown a passion for this role as an advocate for all physicians.

Dr. Jansen is board certified in internal medicine and nephrology and was one of the original leaders
of the WMG when it was formed in 1994. He joined WellStar in 2007 as vice president of medical
affairs for WellStar Kennestone Hospital and assumed the role of interim president of WMG in March
2011. He is a graduate of Emory University School of Medicine and has a master’s degree in
business administration from Kennesaw State University.

Jon Morris, M.D., Named Senior Vice President & Chief Information Officer

Jon Morris, M.D., has been named Senior Vice President & Chief Information Officer (CIO) for WellStar Health System. Dr. Morris has served as WellStar's Interim CIO for the past eight months and performed outstandingly during this period.

With more than 30 years of emergency room experience (25 years in our System), he understands that the practice of medicine and information technology have clearly intersected and are permanently linked. Dr. Morris is a high energy, tech savvy physician leader with a passion for ensuring the right
tools are in place for our physicians, nurses and other care givers to deliver world-class healthcare.
Dr. Morris is board certified in emergency medicine. He began practicing in 1980 and joined the WellStar Kennestone Medical Staff in 1986. While still practicing as an emergency physician, he became a WellStar Medical Informatics Consultant in 2006 and in 2009 became WellStar’s Chief Medical Information Officer (CMIO). He also continues to practice as an emergency physician on a
part-time basis. He is a graduate of Indiana University School of Medicine with undergraduate degrees in biology and chemistry. He also has a master’s degree in business administration from Kennesaw State University.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Morris on his appointment as our new CIO.

WellStar Executive Appointed to AHA Council - Lou Little to Serve on Governing Council of AHA Long-Term Care and Rehabilitation

Lou Little, WellStar senior vice president of post-acute services and WellStar Windy Hill Hospital president, has been appointed to serve on the governing council of the American Hospital Association (AHA) Section on Long-Term Care and Rehabilitation.  Little’s three-year term begins January 1, 2012.

Governing council members help shape AHA services and policy by advising the AHA on public policy matters, advocacy positions and emerging issues.  The AHA’s Long-Term Care and Rehabilitation Section focuses on the interests and concerns of post-acute providers, including long-term acute care hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies.

“It is an honor to help form the policies of an influential organization like the AHA,” said Little.  “Each member of the council brings a unique expertise, and it will be an educational, as well as fulfilling, experience to serve on the council.”

Little has been employed by WellStar Health System for 14 years providing leadership for post-acute services. He will also continue to serve on the board of directors of the National Association of Long Term Hospitals.

Brandon Reese joins WellStar Health System as Executive Director of Government and Community Relations

WellStar Health System is pleased to announce Brandon Reese as executive director of government and community relations. In his new role, which began Oct. 10, Reese will work with lawmakers and community leaders on healthcare policy and legislation.

“Brandon’s extensive experience working with elected officials is key as we strive to inform our leaders about important decisions impacting the healthcare industry,” said Kim Menefee, senior vice president of public and government affairs for WellStar Health System. “We are looking forward to the positive impact his work will have on our ability to provide the highest quality care to those we serve.”

Prior to joining WellStar, Reese served as a government relations representative with Georgia EMC working closely with the Georgia General Assembly, Georgia Congressional Delegation and local elected officials. He has more than 10 years of legislative experience, including four years with the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, where he was director of government affairs. Reese also worked with the Georgia Nursing Home Association as a legislative affairs consultant.
"I am excited to join WellStar, an organization that plays such a vital role in our community and am anxious to begin working with our elected officials on the important issues facing healthcare," said Reese.

Reese earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Georgia. He is a graduate of the Georgia Academy of Economic Development and sits on the board of directors for the state YMCA and Georgia Magazine. Reese also serves as vice chairman of the Georgia Chamber’s Environmental Committee. He was named to the top five of the James Magazine List of Top Company & Association Lobbyists in 2008 and 2010. He lives in Atlanta with his wife, Alison, and their daughter.

Physician Leadership Academy

A few openings remain for the Physicians Leadership Academy starting on Jan. 8. Please contacts Don Campbell at don.campbell@wellstar.org for information.

Leo Reichert to Lead WellStar Legal Team

Leo Reichert has been named executive vice president & chief legal counsel for WellStar. He will be joining us on Jan. 1, 2011. In this position, Leo will serve as part of our senior leadership team and provide legal advice, services and counsel to our entire System and all our business units.

Leo is currently a partner at Parker, Hudson, Rainer & Dobbs L.L.P.  His practice focuses on representing hospitals, physicians and other healthcare providers in a broad range of matters including commercial litigation, fraud litigation, government investigations, reimbursement disputes and certificate of need litigation.  He also advises clients on the development and implementation of compliance programs.

Physician Leadership Academy

WellStar Health System has partnered with Kennesaw State University’s Coles College of Business to provide our physicians, advanced practice nurses and physicians’ assistants with graduate level leadership and business education. Those who complete the 10-week program will be granted a Certificate in Healthcare Leadership from WellStar and the Coles College of Business.

The next Physician Leadership Academy program, which will span over 10 Saturdays, begins Saturday, Jan. 8, 2011, and ends on Saturday, July 9, 2011.  Successive sessions occur approximately every third Saturday and each session will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  at the WellStar Development Center. Some reading and project activities will take place between formal sessions.

Demand for this training may exceed the number of available slots. Applicants for the first cohort will be chosen based on their past and current medical staff and Physicians Group activities.
Information and application materials are available on eSource under the WellStar Learning Network tab. Contact Don Campbell, M.D., at don.campbell@wellstar.org for further information.

Budzinski Appointed Acting President & CEO

At the September 2, 2010, WellStar Board of Trustees meeting, Jim Budzinski, WellStar’s executive vice president and CFO, was appointed to the position of acting president and CEO, following the termination of Dr. Gregory Simone. The Board of Trustees is comprised of 18 business and community leaders and physicians. They felt strongly that Jim’s financial expertise and knowledge of the entire System made him the natural choice during this transitional period.

WellStar Physician Leadership Academy V1.2

Applications are being accepted for version 1.2 of The WellStar Physician Leadership Academy, which will begin in January.  The program, a replicate of the program that was kicked off in May of this year, will bring Leadership essential training and improved business acumen to a new cohort of emerging WellStar leaders.  The program is designed for physicians, advanced practice nurses and physician assistants.  Information and application materials are available on eSource under the WellStar Learning Network tab.  Contact Don Campbell, M.D., at don.campbell@wellstar.org for further information.

2010 WellStar Medical Staff Engagement Survey

The annual WellStar Medical Staff Engagement Survey, being conducted April 19 to June 7, provides an opportunity for members of the Medical Staff team to share feedback and identify areas for further improvement. Once again, Press Ganey Associates will administer the survey and individual responses will be confidential. Facility and System results will be available in July and will compare WellStar to national benchmarks. This year, for the first time, advanced practitioners will be included in the survey.

Physician Leadership Academy

WellStar’s Physician Leadership Academy is now accepting applications for its inaugural class starting on May 22. The Academy will bring graduate level leadership and business education to physicians, advanced practice nurses and physician assistants. Applications and information are available on eSource under the WellStar Learning Network tab or by contacting Don Campbell, M.D., at don.campbell@wellstar.org. The deadline for applications is April 26. 

Brywczynski named Senior Vice President and Health Parks Administrator

Joseph L. Brywczynski has been named Senior Vice President – Health Parks Administrator for WellStar. He will join the team in late April or early May and will report to Mike Graue, Executive Vice President and COO. In this position, Joe will be responsible for defining and implementing the WellStar Health Parks initiative.

WellStar Foundation Physician Partners

The WellStar Foundation recently launched a new initiative to create greater awareness of WellStar’s philanthropic efforts throughout our physician community.

WellStar Cobb Hospital – Physician Town Hall Meeting

Presented by Randy Cook, Senior Vice President and Hospital Administrator

Thursday, April 15
12 p.m. (noon)
WellStar Cobb Hospital – Auditorium

WellStar Focuses on Physician Satisfaction

The 2009 Physician Satisfaction Survey revealed a need for improvement in the ease of care, overall patient care and strengthened relationships between physicians and hospital leadership.

WellStar Medical Group President Named

Richard T. Lopes, M.D., will join WellStar as a System Senior Vice President and President of the WellStar Medical Group. He will begin on April 5 and brings more than 25 years of physician leadership experience.