WakeMed Health & Hospitals Executive and Leadership Team

Donald Gintzig, the President & Chief Executive Officer at WakeMed Health & Hospitals, directs the overarching strategic vision for the entire non-profit health care system. Gintzig architects long-term growth initiatives across heart, vascular, and surgical service lines to ensure high-quality patient outcomes. By collaborating with the Board of Directors, the President & Chief Executive Officer aligns clinical expansion with the evolving needs of the North Carolina population. This leadership role involves managing complex health care delivery models while maintaining fiscal health and operational integrity. Through constant evaluation of market trends, Donald Gintzig drives the organization toward sustainable excellence in medical care. Gintzig prioritizes the integration of advanced technology and specialized medical services to solidify the market position of the system. Ultimately, the President & Chief Executive Officer secures the future of the institution by fostering a culture of innovation and compassionate service across all facilities.

Stephanie Sessoms, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at WakeMed Health & Hospitals, oversees the financial health and resource allocation for the entire organization. Sessoms architects robust fiscal strategies to support the expansion of women's, children's, and rehabilitation services. By managing capital investments and operational budgets, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer ensures the long-term viability of the non-profit system. This leadership role involves analyzing revenue cycles and cost-efficiency metrics to optimize the delivery of orthopedic and brain & spine care. Through rigorous financial oversight, Stephanie Sessoms drives the organization toward achieving its strategic goals while maintaining affordability for the community. Sessoms coordinates with other executive leaders to balance clinical needs with fiscal responsibility. By maintaining strong financial performance, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer enables the system to invest in cutting-edge medical equipment and facility upgrades across the regional network.

Thomas Gough, the Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer at WakeMed Health & Hospitals, directs the daily operational activities across all hospital campuses. Gough architects efficient workflows within emergency, surgical, and rehabilitation departments to maximize patient throughput and care quality. By streamlining administrative and clinical processes, the Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer ensures that resources are deployed effectively to meet high demand. This leadership role involves managing facility logistics and staff coordination to maintain high standards of service delivery throughout the North Carolina region. Through continuous process improvement, Thomas Gough drives operational excellence and reduces bottlenecks in patient care. Gough works closely with department heads to ensure that operational goals align with the broader mission of the health care system. By optimizing internal systems, the Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer supports the delivery of high-quality, accessible medical services to the community.

Paul Haugan, the President, Medical Staff at WakeMed Health & Hospitals, represents the interests and professional needs of the physician community within the system. Haugan architects communication channels between the medical staff and the executive leadership to ensure alignment on clinical and operational goals. By fostering a collaborative environment, the President, Medical Staff promotes professional development and physician engagement across all service lines. This leadership role involves overseeing medical staff bylaws and credentialing processes to maintain high standards of practice. Through active advocacy, Paul Haugan drives physician satisfaction and retention, which directly impacts the quality of patient care. Haugan ensures that the voices of the medical staff are integrated into the strategic planning of the organization. By facilitating strong relationships among clinicians, the President, Medical Staff supports a cohesive and effective medical team dedicated to delivering exceptional health care services to the community.

Gay Gooden, the President ( Emergency Medicine ) at WakeMed Health & Hospitals, leads the strategic and clinical operations of the emergency medicine department. Gooden architects rapid-response protocols and triage systems to ensure efficient care for patients in critical conditions. By overseeing the performance of emergency teams, the President ( Emergency Medicine ) maintains high standards of care in high-pressure environments. This leadership role involves coordinating with other departments to ensure seamless transitions for patients requiring specialized surgical or orthopedic interventions. Through the implementation of advanced emergency care practices, Gay Gooden drives improvements in patient outcomes and department efficiency. Gooden ensures that the emergency services remain responsive to the needs of the community across the North Carolina region. By optimizing the delivery of urgent medical care, the President ( Emergency Medicine ) plays a vital role in the overall success and reliability of the health care system.

Steve Ricney, the Chief Technology Officer at WakeMed Health & Hospitals, manages the digital infrastructure supporting all clinical and administrative operations. Ricney architects secure, scalable data systems that facilitate seamless communication between heart, vascular, and emergency departments. By implementing advanced health information technology, the Chief Technology Officer enhances the efficiency of patient record management and diagnostic workflows. This leadership role involves overseeing cybersecurity protocols to protect sensitive medical data across the entire North Carolina network. Through the deployment of modern software solutions, Steve Ricney drives digital transformation to improve clinical decision-making and operational speed. Ricney ensures that all technological investments align with the broader mission of providing superior patient care. By optimizing the digital environment, the Chief Technology Officer supports the clinical staff in delivering precise, timely medical interventions, thereby strengthening the overall technological foundation of the health care system.

Charles Harr, the Chief Medical Officer at WakeMed Health & Hospitals, leads the clinical quality and medical standards across the entire health care system. Harr architects evidence-based protocols for heart, vascular, and surgical departments to ensure superior patient outcomes. By overseeing medical staff performance and clinical governance, the Chief Medical Officer maintains the highest standards of safety and excellence. This leadership role involves fostering collaboration among physicians to integrate specialized care across brain, spine, and orthopedic service lines. Through the implementation of rigorous quality improvement initiatives, Charles Harr drives clinical innovation and patient safety. Harr ensures that all medical practices align with the latest research and regulatory requirements. By championing a culture of clinical excellence, the Chief Medical Officer supports the medical staff in providing compassionate, effective care, thereby enhancing the reputation and clinical impact of the organization within the regional health care landscape.

Theresa Amerson, the Chief Medical Officer, Population Health at WakeMed Health & Hospitals, directs initiatives focused on improving health outcomes for the broader community. Amerson architects preventative care programs and chronic disease management strategies to reduce hospital readmissions and enhance long-term wellness. By analyzing population health data, the Chief Medical Officer, Population Health identifies trends and implements targeted interventions for diverse patient groups. This leadership role involves coordinating with community partners and internal clinical teams to bridge the gap between acute care and ongoing health maintenance. Through the development of proactive health strategies, Theresa Amerson drives improvements in community health metrics. Amerson ensures that the system addresses the social determinants of health to provide equitable care across the region. By focusing on population-level wellness, the Chief Medical Officer, Population Health strengthens the impact of the organization beyond the hospital walls, promoting healthier lives for the entire population.

Brian Lynde, the Vice President, Chief Legal Officer at WakeMed Health & Hospitals, manages all legal affairs and regulatory compliance for the health care system. Lynde architects risk management strategies to protect the organization while navigating the complex legal landscape of the medical industry. By providing counsel on governance, contracts, and patient privacy, the Vice President, Chief Legal Officer ensures that all operations adhere to state and federal regulations. This leadership role involves mitigating legal exposure and supporting the strategic initiatives of the executive team through sound legal guidance. Through proactive legal oversight, Brian Lynde drives organizational integrity and ethical conduct. Lynde works to resolve disputes and ensure that the system remains compliant with evolving health care laws. By safeguarding the legal interests of the institution, the Vice President, Chief Legal Officer enables the organization to focus on its core mission of providing high-quality medical services to the community.

Jeronica Goodwin, the Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Chief People Officer at WakeMed Health & Hospitals, directs the talent acquisition, employee engagement, and organizational development strategies. Goodwin architects programs to attract and retain top-tier medical and administrative professionals across the regional network. By fostering a culture of inclusivity and professional growth, the Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Chief People Officer ensures that the workforce remains motivated and aligned with the mission of the system. This leadership role involves managing labor relations, compensation structures, and employee wellness initiatives to support the staff. Through strategic workforce planning, Jeronica Goodwin drives organizational performance and operational stability. Goodwin works to ensure that the human capital needs of the hospital are met, enabling the delivery of high-quality patient care. By prioritizing the well-being and development of the staff, the Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Chief People Officer strengthens the foundation of the entire organization.