On the move ...

ASSOCIATIONS

Rick Kellerman, a family physician from Wichita, Kan., is the new president of the 94,000-member American Academy of Family Physicians, the nation's second-largest medical-specialty society. Kellerman took over the top post late last month during the organization's annual meeting, replacing former President Larry Fields, a family physician from Ashland, Ky., who is now the new board chairman of the AAFP. James King, a family doctor in Selmer, Tenn., was named president-elect at the annual conference in Washington. Kellerman, who served on the AAFP board for three years, is a private practitioner who also serves as a professor and chairman of the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita.

HOSPITALS, SYSTEMS

Roger Williams Medical Center, Providence, R.I., named Kenneth Belcher, 52, president and CEO after a unanimous vote by the board. Belcher became interim president and CEO in December 2005, after then-CEO Robert Urciuoli was placed on paid administrative leave. Urciuoli was then terminated in January. He and two other former Roger Williams executives are on trial for charges related to alleged bribes of former state Sen. John Celona. ... NCH Healthcare System, Naples, Fla., named its president, Allen Weiss, 59, to succeed Edward Morton as CEO. Weiss retains his post as president. Morton, who became CEO in 2000 after roughly 27 years as CFO, announced his retirement in August 2005.

HEALTH PLANS

Five regional Blue Cross and Blue Shield subsidiaries of WellPoint, Indianapolis, announced new presidents, part of a previously reported corporate reorganization, a WellPoint spokeswoman says. Blue Cross of California named Brian Sassi as its new president, replacing David Helwig, whom the company says is retiring to spend more time with his family and participate in charitable efforts in his community. Empire Blue Cross and Blue Shield, New York, named Mark Wagar as its president to succeed Jason Gorevic, who was promoted to senior vice president, chief marketing and product officer at WellPoint. Dennis Matheis will become president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri, replacing Stuart Campbell, while Steve Martenet will take over Campbell's role as president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Wisconsin. An Anthem spokeswoman says Campbell is leaving to spend more time with his family, a decision unrelated to the overall reorganization. Finally, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kentucky named Deborah Moessner as its president, replacing Jude Thompson, who was promoted to president of WellPoint's individual under-65 market. All changes are effective Nov. 1.