One of the mainstays of the Nashville Post magazine is our In Charge list. Each year, we highlight the people that make our city work. Be them newly minted or seasoned veterans, we have trimmed this year’s list to the best of the best.
Ralph Alvarado — Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Health: Kentucky legislator was appointed by Gov. Bill Lee in 2022. Alvarado has encouraged COVID-19 vaccination, state abortion ban and worked to expand programming for Alzheimer’s disease.
Hal Andrews — CEO, Trilliant Health: Founded data and analytics venture that produces yearly trend report in 2017. Lawyer turned serial startup entrepreneur previously led Digital Reasoning, Aegis and Shareable, among others.
Sanmi Areola — Director, Metro Public Health Department: Was named to the director role in 2025 after Gill Wright retired, but had been with the organization on and off since 2002. Toxicologist has also served as Meharry Medical College professor.
Richard Ashworth — President and CEO, Amedisys: Took the helm at Amedisys in 2023 after serving as Tivity CEO. Home health provider Amedisys agreed to be acquired by UnitedHealth for $3.3 billion months later.
Cindy Baier — President and CEO, Brookdale Senior Living: Took top spot in 2018 and since led company through restructuring. Company is now striving to own more of its rented facilities.
Jeff Ballard — President and CEO, Delta Dental: Former president and CFO replaced longtime CEO Philip Wenk in 2023. Company headquarters are set to relocate to Midtown in 2025.
Jeffrey Balser — President and CEO, Vanderbilt University Medical Center: Has served as the medical center’s chief executive since 2009, expanding patient visits and net revenue. Also serves as dean of the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.
Brian Barnes — CEO, Blakeford Senior Life: Was promoted to top spot in 2018 for company, which offers independent living locations and at-home care for seniors. Company con-cluded Green Hills expansion and formed Blakeford Foundation in 2024.
Katina Beard — CEO, Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center: Has led 55-year-old institution focused on affordable health care since 2015. Manages three area clinics and mobile unit.
Adam Boehler — CEO, Rubicon Founders: Former director of Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation in Trump administration started fund in 2021 and launched its first company, Evergreen Nephrology. Brought in $1.18 billion for second health care fund in 2024.
Marty Bonick — President and CEO, Ardent Health Services: Hospital operations veteran oversees Ardent’s 30 facilities in six states. Launched health care innovation studio SwitchPoint Ventures in 2023 and announced plans to take Ardent public in 2024.
Devin Carty — CEO, Martin Ventures: Co-founder of Wellvana Health and Reimagine Care has led investment firm focused on health care technology since 2018.
Stu Clark — CEO, Premise Health: Has served as CEO since the company’s start in 2014. Brentwood-based direct health care provider has locations in 46 states and recently released data claiming a 30 percent health care cost savings for users.
Apryl Childs-Potter — President, Nashville Health Care Council: Took the helm in 2022 and launched council’s first national conference, Nashville Healthcare Sessions, soon after. Former CMO for Greater Memphis Chamber.
Nancy-Ann DeParle — Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Consonance Capital Partners: Former White House staffer during Obama administration manages health care private equity portfolio. Also serves as a director at CVS and HCA.
Natalie Dickson — President and CEO, Tennessee Oncology: Was promoted in 2024 to CEO after serving as chief strategy officer since 2022. Oversees Midtown headquarters slated for 2025 completion.
David Dill — Chairman and CEO, Lifepoint Health: Longtime employee took the helm at national hospital chain in 2018. Partners through joint venture with Ascension Saint Thomas to manage some Tennessee locations.
Bill Frist — Co-Founder and Partner, Frist Cressey Ventures: Serial entrepreneur and former U.S. Senate majority leader with transplant surgery background founded venture capital firm in 2016. Also founded health equity nonprofit NashvilleHealth and holds a special partner position at private equity firm Cressey and Company.
Bobby Frist — Chairman and CEO, HealthStream: Co-founded health care workforce development company in 1990 and has served as CEO since. Company has seen several recent acquisitions.
Michael Asselta — CEO, Compassus: Replaced David Grams in early 2024 to lead Brentwood-based home health care, infusion, palliative and hospice services provider. In recent years forged partnerships with Ascension Saint Thomas, Bon Secours Mercy Health.
David Guth — CEO, Centerstone: Co-founded the nonprofit behavioral health provider in 1992. The company assists in 988 suicide prevention calls, in addition to offering inpatient, outpatient, addiction and specialized military services.
Brian Haile — CEO, Neighborhood Health: Formerly worked as TennCare deputy chief of staff and at Jackson Hewitt before taking the helm in 2017. Nonprofit community health care clinic offers primary care and social work support on a sliding scale.
Jay Hardcastle — Partner, Bradley: Veteran partner and director works with clients in M&A, joint ventures, Medicare/Medicaid issues and whistleblower defenses, among other health care-related matters.
Sam Hazen — CEO, HCA Healthcare: Began leading locally based hospital giant in 2019, covering 183 hospitals and roughy 2,000 care sites nationally. Local affiliate TriStar is set to build a hospital in Spring Hill and freestanding emergency room in East Nashville.
James Hildreth — President and CEO, Meharry Medical College: Took the helm at one of nation’s oldest and largest historically Black academic health science centers in 2015. College recently opened School for Global Public Health, saw substantial investments in clinical trial diversity, scholarships.
Brent Hill — Partner, Holland & Knight: Serves as chair of firm’s health care section, focusing on acquisitions, dispositions and joint ventures, and specializing in physician practice management.
Tim Hingtgen — CEO, Community Health Systems: Originally joined company in 2008 and took top spot in 2021. Company saw DOJ investigations, divestitures in 2024.
Angela Humphreys — Chair, Healthcare Practice Group, Bass Berry & Sims: Works on health care mergers and acquisitions, operational matters and finance as leader of firm’s health care practice group. Previously spent 20 years exclusively on health care M&A.
Christopher Hunter — CEO, Acadia Healthcare: Former Humana, Onlife and BlueCross BlueShield exec took the helm at Franklin-based behavioral health company in 2022. In 2024 acquired several facilities following SEC and DOJ fines.
Shubhada Jagasia — President and CEO, Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown and West Hospitals: Former VUMC adult hospital chief of staff took the helm in 2021. Oversaw $300 million Midtown update completed in 2023 including gynecology emergency department, surgery and critical care tower and spine institute.
Michele Johnson — Co-Founder and Executive Director, Tennessee Justice Center: Co-founded statewide organization with attorney Gordon Bonnyman in 1996 and has since advocated for TennCare expansion and improved services for people with disabilities, among other causes.
A.J. Kazimi — President and CEO, Cumberland Pharmaceuticals: Founded publicly traded company in 1999. It is best known for intravenous ibuprofen, Caldolor, which is undergoing research and testing.
Richard MacKinnon — Executive Director, Music City PrEP Clinic: Co-founded organization that opened two locations in 2022. East Nashville location is also connected to LGBTQ-focused primary care clinic and pharmacy.
Sean Narayanan — CEO, Emids: Former Apexon and Atos exec succeeded co-founder and longtime leader Saurabh Sinha as CEO for data management and AI health care and tech company in 2023.
Amna Osman — CEO, Nashville CARES: Public health leader introduced mobile clinic and will oversee new office location for organization while fielding state HIV funding changes. Was granted opioid abatement funds for more harm reduction programming.
Jason Owen — President and CEO, Envision Healthcare: In April 2024 replaced Jim Rechtin, who announced departure during company’s bankruptcy proceedings. Tasked with leading medical group Envision Healthcare following split from AmSurg and completion of restructuring.
Michaela Poizner — Shareholder, Baker Donelson: Former public information officer joined firm in 2013 and was named chair of its health law group in 2023. Works on privacy con-cerns, fraud, licensure and Medicare enrollment for health care companies.
Michael Renfrow — Interim Executive Director, Tennessee Valley Health Care: Leads local arm of Veterans Affairs government-sponsored health care center with location on Vanderbilt University’s campus. Organization also offers social services to veterans.
Katie Richards — President and CEO, Siloam Health: Development professional and creator of Next Generation young professionals board took the helm of nonprofit focused on providing care for uninsured and immigrant populations in 2023.
Tim Scallen — CEO, Bailey & Company: Was appointed to the role in 2024, working closely with founders Jeff and Jack Bailey. Joined middle market investment bank in 2020.
Jeff Snodgrass — President and CEO, AmSurg: Tasked with leading ambulatory surgery company’s next chapter following post-bankruptcy split from Envision Healthcare in late 2023.
Dee Anna Smith — CEO, Sarah Cannon Research Institute: Longtime leader and entrepreneur also served as CEO of the cancer institute of HCA Healthcare, Sarah Cannon until 2022. Oversaw joint venture with US Oncology Research in recent years.
Robin Shah — Co-Founder and CEO, Thyme Care: Former OneOncology exec has led oncology care coordination company since 2020. Company raised $95 million in 2024 Series C round.
Brad Smith — Founder and CEO, Russell Street Ventures: Serial entrepreneur and former Trump administration Medicare and Medicaid exec is also CEO of Main Street Health. In 2024 agreed to sell CareBridge Health for roughly $2.7 billion.
Stephen Smith — Deputy Commissioner and Director, TennCare: Former chief of staff for Haslam administration took over state health insurance agency in 2020. Oversaw rollout of TennCare waiver program and post-public health emergency disenrollment of hundreds of thousands of members.
Anderson Spickard — Dean, Belmont College of Medicine: Former VUMC exec became lead of the city’s newest medical school in 2023 ahead of welcoming its first class of students in fall 2024.
Ute Strand — President and CEO, UnitedHealthcare: Manages state and community partner relationships for insurance giant’s Community Plan of Tennessee. Former Amerigroup, Cigna and Anthem exec was named to lead role in 2021.
Fahad Tahir — President and CEO, Ascension Saint Thomas: Former chief strategy officer took lead role in 2023. In 2024, hospital weathered EHR hack and announced West campus renovations.
Anne Hancock Toomey — President, Jarrard Inc.: Co-founder of health care communications firm was promoted to CEO in 2023, succeeding inaugural president David Jarrard. Firm launched health technology practice in 2024.
Brent Turner — CEO, Summit BHC: Former Acadia president began leading Franklin-based addiction treatment and behavioral health network in 2020. In 2024, company grew outpatient services line, branded Everest Outpatient Services.
Michael Uchrin — CEO, Monogram Health: Co-founder of kidney care organization focused on in-home treatment options formed in 2019 by Frist Cressey Ventures. Named third-fastest growing company in 2024 by Inc. magazine.
Kyle Wailes — President and CEO, Wellvana: Former SmileDirectClub CFO began leading Martin Ventures-backed startup in early 2022. Wellvana creates networks of independent health care providers.
Karen Winkfield — Executive Director, Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance: Experienced radiation oncologist leads strategic partnership between Vanderbilt and Meharry. Also serves as di-rector of outreach at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center.
Jillian Wright — CEO, Onsite Women’s Health: Took the helm in late 2023 of breast imaging services company that recently moved its headquarters from Massachusetts to Nashville.
Mark Yancy — CEO, NashvilleHealth: Took the helm of Frist-founded nonprofit in 2022 and since served on White House advisory board for health equity. Organization has released data on hypertension, “workforce wellness” and the city’s COVID-19 response.