Several HFMA members have kicked off 2024 by taking on new healthcare finance leadership roles. Here’s an overview of some of the hirings announced during the first quarter of the year.
John Ceelen is the new CFO at Bellin and Gundersen
The recently merged Bellin and Gundersen Health System in Green Bay, Wis., has tapped John Ceelen, FACHE, CPA, as its new CFO. Ceelen brings more than 30 years of healthcare finance leadership to the position, including service as executive vice president of finance at Froedtert Health in Milwaukee and most recently as CFO of Banner Health’s Western Division. He is a member of the Wisconsin Chapter of HFMA.
Carla Chandler hired as market CFO at Geisinger
After 12 years in finance leadership roles with Emory Healthcare in Atlanta, Ga., Carla Chandler, CHFP, CPA, has joined Geisinger as a vice president and market CFO. She’ll serve the Central and Northwest regions of the health system’s clinical enterprise. Chandler is a member of HFMA’s Northeastern Pennsylvania Chapter.
Robert Gilbert joins Integrated Revenue Integrity
Robert Gilbert, FHFMA, of Dover, N.H., has been named a principal with Integrated Revenue Integrity (IRI). Based in Marlborough, Mass., IRI is a team of consultants that works with healthcare facilities across all areas of the revenue cycle, specializing in revenue integrity. Prior to joining IRI, Gilbert was a senior manager with Baker Newman Noyes in Portsmouth, N.H. He is a member of HFMA’s Northern New England Chapter.
BJC Health System taps Chuck Robb as CFO
Chuck Robb, CPA, has been named CFO of the recently merged BJC Health System, where he will oversee all finance-related functions across both its Eastern (St. Louis area) and Western (Kansas City area) regions. The Western Region continues to operate as Saint Luke’s Health System, which Robb served as CFO prior to the merger. He is a member of HFMA’s Greater Heartland Chapter.
Jerry Yang is the new CFO at Aspirus Health
Aspirus Health, a nonprofit health system based in Wausau, Wis., has announced the selection of Jerry Yang as CFO. Most recently, he was with MultiCare Health System in Tacoma, Wash., where he served as CFO of operations prior to becoming the system’s chief integration executive. Yang, a member of HFMA’s Michigan Great Lakes Chapter, also previously held executive finance roles with Beaumont Health in Michigan.
In memoriam: James Peppiatt-Combes
HFMA has learned that James H. Peppiatt-Combes, MBA, of Commerce Township, Mich., died on Feb. 2 at the age of 85. Peppiatt-Combes was a widely known and respected financial and operational leader and served as CFO of Trinity Health from 1988-2007. He was also a founding member of HFMA’s Large System CFO Council and served as its chair for several years.
