SSM Health's William Thompson retiring in 2017, and other newsmakers

William Thompson, president and CEO of SSM Health, announced he will retire next year after more than 36 years with the healthcare system. His replacement has not yet been chosen.

Thompson, 65, has been at the helm of the St. Louis-based Catholic system since 2011. He led the 20-hospital system through multiple acquisitions, including its purchase of St. Louis University Hospital in September 2015. He previously held other executive positions at the system, including COO and senior VP of strategic development.

William (Bill) Fulkerson has been named COO at the University of Virginia Medical Center, Charlottesville, effective Aug. 1.

Fulkerson, 45, is currently associate operating officer for professional services at Vanderbilt University Hospital and Clinics in Nashville. In that position, he oversees labs, radiology, inpatient physical therapy and occupational therapy, environmental services and nutrition services. He previously served as administrator for oncology services at Duke University and as administrator for emergency medicine at Vanderbilt.

Al Montoya has been named director of the White River Junction (Vt.) VA Medical Center, part of the VA New England Healthcare System. The medical center comprises one main campus facility and seven satellite outpatient clinics.

Montoya, 38, has served as the medical center's interim director since November 2015. Previously, he was assistant director of the Connecticut VA Medical Center in Newington.

Kate Mohr has been named chief nursing officer at Guthrie Healthcare System, a hospital system based in Sayre, Pa.

Mohr, 58, most recently was executive director of Children's Hospital at Providence/ Women's Services for Providence Health & Services in Anchorage, Alaska.

In her new role, she will oversee nursing at Guthrie's medical group as well as its hospitals.

Health insurance and services conglomerate UnitedHealth Group has named John Rex, CFO of UnitedHealth's Optum unit, as its next CFO.

Rex, 54, takes over for David Wichmann, who had been serving as UnitedHealth's president and CFO. Wichmann will now only serve as president. Many analysts see the move as a clear sign of succession planning, with Wichmann expected to lead UnitedHealth once CEO Stephen Hemsley steps down.

Tami Reller, Optum's chief marketing officer, will take Rex's CFO spot.

Dr. Antonio Bianco has been promoted to president of Rush University Medical Group and vice dean of clinical affairs at Rush Medical College in Chicago.

In the newly created role, Bianco, 55, will oversee Rush's faculty practice, which includes more than 500 physicians. He will also lead operational and business affairs for Rush's clinical practices.

He joined Rush in February 2014 as senior vice chair of research and director of endocrinology in the department of internal medicine.