(This article has been updated with a correction.)
David Vandewater, president and CEO of Ardent Health Services, Nashville, is the new chairman of the Federation of American Hospitals, the investor-owned systems' group announced Monday.
Vandewater, 60, will serve a one-year term and succeeds Victor Campbell, senior VP at HCA.
The FAH announced the appointment at its annual meeting in Washington.
“David is widely respected for his insight and outstanding leadership skills and has a deep understanding of hospital policy,” FAH President and CEO Chip Kahn said in a statement.
Vandewater previously served as chairman of the group in 1996. He has led Ardent since 2001, when it was still Behavioral Health Corp. His prior roles included president and COO at Columbia/HCA. Other positions he has held include CEO of Vista Hills Medical Center in El Paso, Texas, and executive VP and COO at Republic Health Corp.
The FAH also appointed Keith Pitts, vice chairman of Tenet Healthcare Corp., as chair-elect.
Other officers selected include William Carpenter III, chairman and CEO of LifePoint Hospitals as board secretary; Matthew Klein, VP & general counsel at Universal Health Services, continuing as board treasurer; and Campbell becomes immediate past-chair.
Follow Beth Kutscher on Twitter: @MHbkutscher
This article has been updated to correct Vandewater's previous positions.
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