Our leadership team is responsible for directing the work at University of Utah Health. We partner with system leaders at five hospitals:
- University of Utah Hospital,
- Huntsman Cancer Institute,
- Huntsman Mental Health Institute,
- University Orthopaedic Center, and
- Craig H. Neilsen Rehabilitation Hospital.
We also partner with 12 community health centers, dozens of regional affiliate hospitals, and numerous centers and institutes including:
Dan Lundergan | Chief Executive Officer
Executive Assistant: Kassidy Samuels, Kassidy.Samuels@hsc.utah.edu, 801-585-1325
Dan Lundergan has worked for the University of Utah Health for over four decades and has held numerous positions within the organization. His past experience includes, but is not limited to the management of the surgical services and ambulatory clinics, as well as working with Dr. John Dixon, for six years in the Laser Institute, where he coordinated the administrative functions, established a post-graduate educational program for physicians around the nation and participated in various research projects published in academic books and journals.
Dan works with the executive team to develop strategies to ensure the hospital’s ongoing financial viability and fulfill its safety, satisfaction, and quality priorities. Dan works closely with the senior vice president's office in coordinating master space planning, strategic planning, and various initiatives that impact the University of Utah Health System.
Dan continuously participates in innovative strategies to prepare for the ever changing health care industry. As a vital executive for hospital operations, Dan’s key roles are merging institutional strategies into operational accomplishments. In doing so, he is creating a successful data-driven environment under an umbrella of intuition and insight.
Dan is passionate about creating an atmosphere with positive working relationships, the flexibility to learn from mistakes, and an overall environment of trust, honesty, and mutual respect. Dan values teamwork and envisions a culture change within hospital operations for local and national health care policies. Dan has a deep appreciation for the University of Utah Health’s multi-mission to provide exceptional quality and patient experience while advancing science and education. He is committed to making a difference for both the patients and their families.
Charlton Park | Chief Financial Officer & Chief Analytics Officer
Executive Assistant: McCall Wade, 801-585-1325
Charlton Park is the chief financial officer and chief analytics officer of the University of Utah Hospitals and Clinics. Park oversees the financial planning, budgeting, general accounting, operational and capital financial planning, analytics, and revenue cycle functions. He has played an important role in the development of various integration models across several clinical programs, using financial and clinical data to increase collaboration and alignment between physician specialties and the hospital.
Charlton also played a key role in developing the organizations’ Value Driven Outcomes (VDO) initiative which provides accurate, actionable cost accounting, and outcomes information at the visit level.
Charlton received his bachelor of science degree in information systems from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah, and his MBA and master of health sector management degrees at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona.
Donna M. Roach, CHCIO, FCHIME, FHIMSS | Chief Information Officer
Executive Assistant: Javier Cime, 801-587-1286
Donna Roach serves as the chief information officer for the University of Utah Hospitals and Clinics (UUHC). Previous to this, she was the vice president for information services at BJC HealthCare and Washington University Medical School and oversaw the Epic program for the 15 BJC Hospitals, the 700 physician medical group, in addition to the 2,200 physician member Washington University Medical School Faculty Practice Plan and affiliated practices.
With more than 35 years’ experience in the health care industry, Roach has focused on health care information technology for the past 30 years. She was with Ascension Information Services, serving as the chief information officer in the St. Louis corporate office, the Gulf Coast, Kansas, Michigan, and New York markets. Prior to this, she held the CIO role at Bronson Health in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, Illinois.
Roach earned her bachelor of science degree, health administration, from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and her master of science in health systems management from Rush University Medical College in Chicago. She completed her fellowship at the Veterans Administration, Chicago.
Roach is a certified health care chief information officer, a fellow within the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives and Healthcare Information Management Systems Society and served on the board for the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives. Previously, she was the president of the Michigan Chapter of Healthcare Information Management Systems Society and chair for the Michigan Hospital Association Technology Board.
She has taught at the University of Illinois – Circle Campus, Rush University Medical College, Department of Health Systems Management, and UCONN, Health Administration.
Tracey Nixon | Chief Nursing Officer
Executive Assistant: Michelle Mayne, 801-581-2682
Tracey Nixon is the chief nursing officer of University of Utah Health, providing leadership for nursing and advocating for patients and staff across the hospital system. With a tenure of nearly 15 years at U of U Health, Tracey is a critical care nurse by background and has led nursing teams in capacity management, cardiovascular services, and critical care units.
To improve the hospital's ability to meet growing demands for inpatient stays, Tracey established the capacity management team and implemented improved processes and metrics for understanding and improving patient throughput. As a result of her efforts, Tracey and the nursing team have been recognized nationally for their work to improve the flow of patients through the hospital.
Prior to joining the U, Tracey used her business and process improvement skills as a project professional in the engineering and construction industries. Tracey received her BSN and MSN in nursing from the University of Utah, and is a member of the American Organization of Nurse Leader and the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Tom Miller, MD | Chief Medical Officer
Executive Assistant: Sandra Black, 801-581-2482
Thomas L. Miller, MD, has served as the chief medical officer (CMO) of University of Utah Health since 2006, where he has practiced internal medicine since 1993. He is also a professor of medicine in the division of internal medicine of the department of medicine.
Dr. Miller oversees the solid organ transplant service line, system quality, value engineering, patient experience, graduate medical education, the enterprise data warehouse, and the medical staff office. Dr. Miller also leads executive medical directors and chief value officers. Collaborating with leaders across the health system, Dr. Miller focuses on system-wide clinical operations and strategy to improve care to our patients.
Before the CMO role, Dr. Miller was the executive medical director of ambulatory clinics (2003-2006) and medical director of Madsen Internal Medicine Clinic at the University of Utah Health (1995-2003), where he has been an internist for the past 26 years. Previously, Dr. Miller served as the acting director and an attending physician at the Salt Lake City VA Medical Center Admitting Office. He received his medical degree from George Washington University in Washington DC and completed his internal medicine residency and was chief resident at the University of Utah.
Kavish Choudhary, MS, PharmD | Chief Pharmacy Officer
Executive Assistant: Tina Ellis, 801-581-2163
Kavish Choudhary serves as the chief pharmacy officer (CPO) at University of Utah Health. He and his high-performing team are responsible for providing oversight for all pharmacy services across the enterprise’s five hospitals and 11 community health centers. His scope includes the development, supervision, and coordination of pharmacy services and operations at 17 retail pharmacies, four infusion pharmacies, specialty pharmacy services, and a nationally-recognized Drug Information Service.
Prior to becoming the CPO, Kavish held numerous leadership positions at the University of Utah Health. He came to Utah after holding leadership positions at Oregon Health & Science University, where he developed ambulatory pharmacy services, opened numerous ambulatory care centers, acquired community-based oncology practices, and oversaw the system’s infusion services. Kavish completed his doctor of pharmacy at Ohio Northern University and did his post-graduate training at the UW Health, where he received a master's in health-system pharmacy administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
In addition to CPO, Kavish serves as the associate dean of pharmacy practice at the University of Utah College of Pharmacy. Kavish is active locally and nationally in professional organizations, playing active roles championing legislation expanding pharmacy technician roles, and enhancing patient access to affordable medications.
Gina Hawley, DrPH, MHA | Chief Operating Officer
Executive Assistant: Yvette Robinson, 801-581-5650
Gina Hawley is responsible for operations and execution of key strategies across the health system. In her previous role as Vice President of Professional and Support Services at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU), she oversaw allied health, clinical, and support services departments. Hawley comes to U of U Health with expansive experiences including supporting service lines both at OHSU as the Senior Director of Neuroscience & Spine and Johns Hopkins Medicine, where she worked as the Assistant Administrator for Neurology and Neurosurgery. She has also worked as a senior project analyst, clinic manager, HIV/AIDS volunteer coordinator, and certified nursing assistant for High Risk Obstetrics and Labor & Delivery.
Hawley received her bachelor’s and master’s in Health Administration from Creighton University and University of Minnesota respectively and doctorate of public health in Health Management & Leadership from Johns Hopkins University. Hawley teaches as adjunct faculty at both OHSU Division of Management and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Christian Sherwood, MA | Chief Human Resources Officer
Executive Assistant: Cortney Hamel, 801-581-3787
In her role as Interim Co-Chief Human Resources Officer for U of U Health, Christian Sherwood provides leadership and guidance for our workforce development. With more than 10 years on our Human Resources leadership team, Christian brings broad human resources background and leadership in various aspects of human resources practices. She is committed to building a more equitable and progressive work environment for our teams of caregivers.
To advance human resource’s ability to support our growing workforce, Christian established HR’s Employee Experience to streamline HR interactions across the health system. She also leads workforce efforts by concentrating on innovating compensation, benefits, and payroll support; augmenting recruiting and retention; and enhancing communication methodologies.
Prior to joining the U of U, Christian worked for nearly 15 years in human resources consulting services. This included working with clients on technologies for HR administration and process improvements. Christian holds a bachelor's and master's degree in mass communications and has used this education as springboard to advance human resources practices over the years.
Executive Directors
Bart Adams, MBA | Executive Director of the University of Utah Orthopaedic Center & Craig H. Neilsen Rehabilitation Hospital
Executive Assistant: Shelly Lewis, 801-587-1836
Bart is the executive director of University of Utah Health's Orthopaedic Center and the Craig H. Neilsen Rehabilitation Hospital. He directs all the operational activities at these facilities and the orthopaedic and rehabilitation service lines at University of Utah Health. In this capacity, he works collaboratively with the executive team of the hospitals and clinics and the departments of orthopaedics and physical medicine and rehabilitation in achieving and aligning initiatives that advance care at University of Utah Health.
Prior to arriving at U of U Health, Bart was chief executive officer at Pioneer Valley Hospital. He also served as chief operating officer at Salt Lake Regional Medical Center. Bart has held several hospital management positions, compiling more than 35 years of management experience in health care that stemmed from clinical positions in laboratory medicine.
Bart received his BS from Brigham Young University and his MBA from Indiana University.
Don Milligan, MBA | Executive Director of Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah
Executive Assistant: Jason Cluff, 801-585-6272
Donald F. Milligan serves as executive director of the cancer hospital at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI), the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in the five-state Mountain West. This state-of-the-art, freestanding specialty hospital houses cancer care services for the University of Utah Health system.
Milligan is the senior administrator over clinical cancer programs. He provides oversight of operational aspects of the HCI Cancer Hospital, including leadership of the programming and design planning for a major expansion, the Kathryn F. Kirk Center for Comprehensive Cancer Care and Women’s Cancers, scheduled to open to patients in 2022.
Milligan has served in various leadership roles at HCI and U of U Health for more than two decades. He holds a master of business administration.
Ross VanVranken, MSW | Executive Director of Huntsman Mental Health Institute Behavioral Health
Executive Assistant: Cristine Platt, 801-587-3115
Ross VanVranken is the executive director for the Huntsman Mental Health Institute (HMHI), formerly UNI, with the University of Utah Health. HMHI is a $180 million gross enterprise, supporting a system of behavioral health care anchored by a 170-bed acute psychiatric and substance use hospital. HMHI services all ages, disorders, and socioeconomic groups.
Mr. VanVranken’s primary role is to ensure HMHI’s commitment to providing the highest standard of care across the full continuum of behavioral health services, which includes outpatient specialty programs and crisis diversion services. He is responsible to assure the integration between clinical care, education, research, and tasked with maintaining HMHI’s standing as a community leader in the area of behavioral health.
Mr. VanVranken has been a leader in behavioral health dating back to the early 1980s. He is an active participant in clinical and service delivery at both the regional and national level.
Mr. VanVranken has been the director of the university’s mental and behavioral health hospital and services since 1991. First as the director of the Western Institute of Neuropsychiatry (WIN), then when WIN was renamed the University Neuropsychiatry Institute (UNI) in 1994, and again when UNI became HMHI in January 2021.
Prior to this, Mr. VanVranken served in a variety of clinical and administrative capacities in both the private sector and for the University Hospital. He is a native of Utah receiving his undergraduate degree in psychology and master’s degree in social work from the University of Utah.
Tad Morley, MHA, FACHE | Executive Director of Outreach, Network Development, & Telehealth, University of Utah Health
Executive Assistant: Camille Russell, 801-581-8879
Tad A. Morley, MHA, FACHE, executive director of outreach, network development, and telehealth has worked for the University of Utah Health since March 2013. In his current role, he oversees the business operations of University of Utah Health's telehealth, outreach, and regional network development. He and his team work with physicians, hospitals, payers, and employers to extend access to clinical care, improve clinical outcomes, and collaborate with health care providers throughout the Intermountain West.
Tad is an adjunct faculty member in the University of Utah David Eccles School of Business Master of Healthcare Administration Program. He is also president of Alliance in International Medicine (AIM), a non-profit organization with the mission of providing education and training to health care providers to improve patient outcomes and elevate the quality of care available to people living in developing nations.
Prior to joining the organization, Tad worked as a CEO and COO at hospitals in Utah, Nevada, Idaho, and Oregon. Tad was also a member of Leavitt Partners, a leading domestic and international health care consulting firm. He provided strategic counsel to hospitals, health systems, and payers and advised private equity health care investors. His expertise in the health care industry has made Mr. Morley a sought-after speaker at conferences and senior executive meetings globally.
Mr. Morley graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor of arts in organizational communications and received a master’s in health care administration from the University of Minnesota. He is a fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Wayne Imbrescia, MPH, MHA | Executive Director of the John Moran Eye Center
Executive Assistant: Yvette Robinson, 801-581-5650
After over 26 years of professional experience with the John A. Moran Eye Center, Wayne accepted a new position as executive director of ambulatory services as of February 2013. Wayne currently holds the executive director positions for both ambulatory services and John A. Moran Eye Center for the University of Utah Health.
With Wayne’s extensive expertise in ophthalmology, he has held several technical and administrative professional roles at Moran since 1986 and has served as Moran’s executive director since 2005. The Moran Eye Center is currently the largest eye care and vision research center in the Mountain West. The center is dedicated to serving the visually impaired through patient care, research, education, and community outreach. With its eleven satellite locations, the center hosts more than 100,000 patient visits and 5,000 surgical procedures each year.
Wayne provides senior administrative leadership in the areas of strategic business development, operational improvement, financial performance, clinical operations, and quality of care. In his new role with ambulatory services, Wayne oversees ten community clinics, serving more than 170,000 patients each year and works directly with ambulatory directors and managers in setting strategic and operational direction. Ambulatory services are often the entryway into the hospital’s system of care.
Outside U of U Health, Wayne currently serves as president for the University Administrators of Ophthalmology. Prior to joining U of U Health in 1986, Wayne directed the medical imaging services at the King Khalid Eye Specialist Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Wayne received his bachelors' in mass communication and his master’s in public health and health services administration from the University of Utah.
Robert Kistler, MPA | Interim Executive Director at University of Utah Hospital
Executive Assistant: Cortney Hamel, 801-581-3787
Robert Kistler is the interim Executive Director of Service Lines, Ancillary, and Support Services. In this role, he manages multiple clinical and support operations to enhance the patient and employee experience. During his 25-year tenure at the University of Utah, Kistler has managed University of Utah Hospital’s patient access service department and enjoyed a brief stint in information technology services as a computer professional.
Prior to working at the University, Rob lived in New York City and worked for several health care organizations in various administrative capacities. Rob received his bachelor's degree from Utica College and his MPA (master's of public administration) from the U of U.
Rob lives in South Jordon with his wife Tami and son Alex.
Michael Bronson, JD, MBA | Interim Executive Director for Ambulatory Services
Executive Assistant: Cara Wesson, 801-213-4732
As Interim Executive Director for ambulatory Services, Mr. Bronson partners with physician, nursing, and other leaders to provide operational leadership for ambulatory care. His responsibilities comprise planning, directing, evaluating, and improving the performance of outpatient care services to achieve University of Utah’s health care, education, and research missions.
Mr. Bronson has overseen service delivery in a multitude of health care settings including both outpatient and inpatient services. He has spent much of his career helping academic medical centers grow their service delivery footprints, having managed expansion efforts at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas and at U of U Health. Collaborating with dozens of talented leaders he led the planning, programming, opening, and operations of U of U Health’s facilities in South Jordan, Farmington, and Sugar House. He teaches Health Care Operations Management in the MHA Program at the David Eccles School of Business.
