Johnese Spisso named president of UCLA Health, and other news makers

Johnese Spisso has been named president of UCLA Health, CEO of the University of California at Los Angeles Health System and associate vice chancellor of UCLA Health Sciences.

Spisso begins her role Feb. 8 and will be responsible for all operations of UCLA's hospitals and clinics, as well as the health system's regional outreach strategy.

She is now VP of medical affairs for the University of Washington and chief health system officer for UW Medicine.

Kenneth McFarland is leaving his position as CEO at Mission Hospital, Mission Viejo, Calif., effective Feb. 5. Dr. Richard Afable has been named interim CEO.

McFarland has served as CEO since 2011 and has been with Mission Hospital for 18 years. He joined the hospital in 1998, serving as senior VP and CFO. He also has served as a trustee for the Camino Health Center, a federally qualified health center in San Juan Capistrano, Calif. McFarland has also held leadership positions with the Hospital Association of Southern California.

Ronald Reed will retire from his role as CEO of Mercy Iowa City (Iowa), effective March 31. He will be succeeded by Mike Heinrich, 53, who will serve as interim CEO. Heinrich is currently executive VP and CFO.

Reed, 62, has served as CEO since August 1995, and oversaw the expansion of Mercy's services, including additional primary- and specialty-care clinics, a wound and vein center, bariatric surgery and a hospice program.

Dr. Michael Davenport has been named chief medical officer at Mercy Hospital & Medical Center, Chicago.

Davenport, 61, will help oversee the medical center's clinical strategic vision and will be responsible for various departments, including medical education, quality and patient safety, and risk management.

Davenport most recently served as VP of medical affairs and CMO at the Methodist Hospitals, based in Gary and Merrillville, Ind.

Atlanta-based WellStar Health System has announced three leadership changes.

Kem Mullins, 43, was named executive VP of the ambulatory division and business development after serving as interim COO for seven months. Mullins came to WellStar in 2012 as a senior VP and president of WellStar Cobb and Windy Hill hospitals.

Carrie Owen Plietz, 40, was named executive VP and COO of the hospital division. She previously served as CEO of Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento, Calif.

Dr. John Brennan, 56, was named executive VP and chief clinical integration officer. Previously, he served as executive VP and president and CEO of Newark (N.J.) Beth Israel Medical Center and Children's Hospital of New Jersey, also in Newark.

Denver-based Paladina Health has named Chris Miller CEO. Paladina is a direct primary-care provider and subsidiary of DaVita HealthCare Partners.

Miller, 44, previously founded and served as CEO and managing director of Lakewood, Colo.-based Trumpet Behavioral Health, a company serving children with autism and developmental disabilities.