WakeMed Health & Hospitals Reorganization Reflects Continued Commitment to Patient Safety & Quality and Ambulatory Services
RALEIGH, N.C. � WakeMed Health & Hospitals is pleased to announce new leadership appointments and an organizational restructuring that better positions the health system for on-going growth particularly in outpatient services and facilities, a continued commitment to quality and patient safety and an expanded regional focus.
The new organizational structure provides leadership to support our growth as we continue to expand our campuses and facilities. It positions our leaders to remain accessible to patients, managers, employees and physicians for rapid decision making � all of which will help meet the demand and serve our patients in the very best way possible,� explains Dr. Bill Atkinson, president & CEO.
At the most senior level, the new organizational structure includes the naming of Deb Friberg, MBA, as executive vice president and chief operating officer. Friberg was promoted from the position of Senior Vice President of Cary Market Operations and Executive Director, where she has lead the successful growth of Cary Hospital since 2004.
As Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Friberg is now responsible for managing overall operations for the system. She will also oversee quality and safety initiatives. A new position, Vice President of Quality & Patient Safety, will be recruited to support the entire organization, and will report to Friberg. Friberg is the first woman in the Triangle to hold this high-ranking administrative position for a healthcare organization.
The reorganization also includes the addition of a Raleigh Campus Administrator and a Cary Hospital Administrator. Richard J. Gannotta, RN, NP, MBA, has been promoted to Senior Vice President & Administrator of WakeMed Raleigh Campus. He will work with a newly expanded executive team to assume responsibility for strategic direction and day-to-day operations of the Raleigh Campus, which is WakeMed�s flagship hospital and will have 720 beds (inpatient, observation, rehab) upon completion of the 60 new inpatient beds. WakeMed is currently recruiting to fill the position of Cary Hospital Administrator, which was vacated by Friberg.
Kathleen K. Gormley, MBA, executive vice president operations & ambulatory services, is responsible for the construction projects, management services such as those provided for Betsy Johnson Regional Hospital, the YMCA Community Health Alliance and the significant expansion and upgrade of our information services.
Growth of WakeMed�s ambulatory facilities over the next few years is aggressive, with the plans for North Healthplex, Apex Healthplex, Brier Creek Medical Park and others coming to completion. Outpatient services also represents the fastest growing segment of our market as market data shows that all aspects of care provided in this setting is expected to grow dramatically. Gormley will focus on strategically locating outpatient facilities in growth communities where there is unmet demand,� continued Atkinson.
Other changes in the organization include the promotion of Debra Z. Laughery to Vice President of Public Relations to reflect the critical importance of strategic communications, marketing and public relations for the system. Laughery will continue to oversee Public Relations, Advertising & Promotions, Community Relations, Employee and Physician Communications and Conference Services. In her nine years as director, she has helped to strengthen and evolve the WakeMed brand both internally and externally.
