Who: Candice Saunders, 60
Promoted to: President of WellStar Health System, a five-hospital not-for-profit system based in Marietta, Ga. Following a transition period, Saunders will assume the role of CEO in 2016.
Currently: COO, a role she has held since March 2013 and will continue to fill until the 2016 transition. She also holds the title of executive vice president.
Replacing: Reynold Jennings, who has served as CEO since August 2011 and whose contract ends on Dec. 31, 2015.
Previous roles: Saunders joined WellStar in 2007 as president of WellStar Kennestone Hospital. Before that, she was vice president of clinical strategy and service lines for Inova Health System, Falls Church, Va. She has also served as COO of Inova Fairfax Hospital.