Hospital Leadership Changes and Revenue Cycle Executive Moves | May 2026

Written By Jena Eggert

May Shakers & Movers | RCM CommUnity Leadership Spotlight

May is a season of graduation, growth, and new beginnings. As students cross the stage, healthcare leaders are stepping into new roles of their own, bringing fresh perspective, steady leadership, and new energy to the organizations they serve.

Across healthcare and Revenue Cycle, these moves matter. They shape strategy, strengthen operations, support patient access, and help organizations navigate a fast-changing environment where leadership development and innovation are more important than ever.

May leadership moves worth celebrating

Please join us in congratulating this month’s Shakers & Movers across the healthcare and Revenue Cycle CommUnity:

  • John Harding has joined Children’s Minnesota as EVP & COO.

  • Chad Cathey has stepped into the role of Regional President for the Maryland Market at United Surgical Partners International.

  • Chris Nistor has joined Henry Ford Health as Director of Strategy and Activation.

  • Christopher “Joe” Smith, M.D., has taken on the role of Medical Director, PHSO at AdventHealth.

  • Pat Keel begins a new chapter on May 26 as CFO of Vandalia Health.

  • Amanda Duke has been appointed CEO of Sandhills Medical.

  • Mike Trachta has started his new role as President and CEO of Blessing Health System.

  • Rick Paczkowski has joined NeuroPsychiatric Hospitals as Vice President of Strategy and Development.

Every promotion, transition, and leadership move represents years of hard work, mentorship, persistence, and dedication to healthcare operations and patient support systems.

🎓 Epic University: XGM just wrapped, UGM next

If May feels like graduation season, Epic’s recent XGM (Expert Group Meeting) fits the theme perfectly. From April 27 to May 7, thousands of informaticists, managers, analysts, trainers, project managers, and clinicians gathered in Verona for focused advisory councils, peer discussions, and a look at what’s next in Epic workflows and operations.

XGM is designed for operational leaders and process improvement experts, giving attendees time to dive deep into specific applications and share real-world strategies for optimization. With sessions spanning everything from access management and analytics to financial advisory and training, it felt less like a conference and more like a working “campus” for healthcare operations.

Looking ahead, the next big gathering is Epic UGM 2026, scheduled for August 17–20, bringing together executives, clinicians, and leaders for broader strategic conversations and peer-to-peer learning:

Session materials from XGM are already available on Epic’s site, and the energy from that event is still fresh as teams head into the summer.

🎓 Continuing education and lifelong learners

Not every leadership journey happens at a conference. Some happen through structured courses, executive programs, and leadership development experiences designed to prepare the next generation of healthcare leaders.

For leaders looking to keep “graduating” in their own careers, these two programs are great examples of focused development paths:

Mayo’s leadership course is a 16-week blended program for healthcare administrators, physicians, nurses, and other clinical leaders who want to strengthen strategic direction, coaching, and values-driven leadership in a changing healthcare environment.

And while not every organization calls it an RCM Academy, many health systems are building their own versions through leadership bootcamps, finance training, operational fellowships, and internal development tracks. In Revenue Cycle, those programs are just as important as any title change, because today’s analyst, manager, or director often becomes tomorrow’s transformation leader.

A CommUnity-wide commencement

Every leadership move tells a story. Behind each new title are long hours, hard decisions, team wins, lessons learned, and a willingness to keep evolving in an industry that never stands still.

From all of us at RCR|HUB, congratulations to the leaders shaping the future of healthcare and Revenue Cycle. May your next chapter be bold, impactful, and full of momentum.

 

 

Jena Eggert
Next

Hats Off to Revenue Cycle Leaders | Recent Job Changes in Healthcare Revenue Cycle 4.14.26 to 4.27.26