About Us

UC Health Leadership

Meet the leadership team at UC Health, the region’s only adult Academic Health System.


Cory D. Shaw

President & Chief Executive Officer

Cory D. Shaw serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of UC Health, the only adult academic health system in the Cincinnati Tri-State region and a nationally recognized system for advanced clinical care, research and education. As an experienced leader with nearly 30 years of successful leadership in one of the nation’s leading academic health systems, he became UC Health’s chief executive on January 9, 2023.

As President and CEO of UC Health, Mr. Shaw will lead the overall health system, reporting directly to the UC Health Board of Directors. He will be responsible for advancing the tripartite mission together with the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and UC Physicians, LLC.

Mr. Shaw comes to UC Health from Nebraska Medicine, where he most recently served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer with accountability for all healthcare operations of the $2.2B academic health system. This included three clinical campuses, 60+ ambulatory clinic locations, and an 800+ member medical group affiliated with UNMC College of Medicine.

With diverse business experience, Mr. Shaw has exemplified tremendous leadership in his executive roles within ambulatory settings, the University of Nebraska Medical Center faculty practice and payor relations. Additionally, he led the establishment and implementation of Nebraska Medicine’s integrated health system strategic planning process, which formalized service line strategies for Cancer, Neurosciences, Heart & Vascular, Orthopedics, Transplant, Women’s Health, Behavioral Health and Primary Care. These service line strategies catalyzed performance improvement across quality, safety and patient experience domains resulting in market share growth for the health system.

Serving on academic, professional, industry, and community boards and committee engagements have been a hallmark of his career. Those diverse assignments have included the United Way, Institute for Diversity in Health Management Preceptor Program, National Conference on Community and Justice, National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Nebraska Health Information Network, Nebraska Coalition on Access to Health Insurance, and as a Gubernatorial Appointee, Nebraska Medicaid Reform Advisory Committee.

Mr. Shaw holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Nebraska and a Master of Arts in Health Care Administration from the University of Missouri.

Katrina M. English

Senior Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer

Katrina English joined UC Health in May 2019 as Senior Vice President and Chief Legal

Officer, bringing more than two decades of healthcare law experience to Greater Cincinnati’s academic health system.

In her career, English has had legal responsibility and oversight for inpatient hospitals, outpatient facilities, freestanding emergency rooms, integrated health systems, surgery centers, cancer centers, clinical integrated networks, physician practices and more. Her commitment to a patient-first mindset coupled with her healthcare-specific legal experience make her a valuable member to UC Health’s legal team and executive leadership team.

Before joining UC Health, English served as vice president/senior deputy general counsel and interim general counsel for Dayton, Ohio-based CareSource, one of the nation’s largest Medicaid managed care plans.

For nearly a decade, English represented the Mercy Health System (now Bon Secours Mercy Health), serving five years as system vice president and network general counsel for Mercy Health North, which includes the Toledo, Lima and Lorain markets. She was a member of the executive leadership team responsible for managing more than 20 attorneys and 50 employees reporting up through the legal structure. Before this, she served as vice president and general counsel for Community Mercy Health Partners in Springfield, Ohio.

English holds a Juris Doctor from The Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law and a bachelor’s degree in telecommunications from Kent State University. She is a member, author and presenter for the American Health Lawyers Association and an adjunct professor of Health Law & Policy and Health Law & Ethics for Mercy College of Ohio.

Rick Hinds

Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

Rick Hinds has been with UC Health and its predecessor companies for 27 years and has served as Chief Financial Officer since 2008. In this role, he has executive responsibility for the overall financial leadership of the system, including revenue cycle, payer contracting, information technology, facilities, supply chain and business planning.

Rick’s career includes more than three and a half decades of healthcare experience, both in hospital organizations and private insurance. Importantly, he was part of a core team that established UC Health’s corporate organization and governance structure.

A lifelong Cincinnati resident, Rick received his Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in accounting from the University of Cincinnati and became a certified public accountant. In 2011, Rick was named CFO of the Year by the Cincinnati Business Courier in recognition of his leadership during the transition from the Health Alliance to UC Health, and his overall contribution to healthcare in Cincinnati.  In 2021, Rick was named a CFO of the Year finalist by the Cincinnati Business Courier in recognition of his leadership and guidance during the COVID pandemic.

Active in the community, over the years he has been a member of a number of organizations, including, but not limited to: United Way, University of Cincinnati Business Honors Program Mentor, Hamilton Chamber of Commerce (board member), Children’s Law Center of Northern Kentucky, YMCA, Hamilton Rotary, Ohio Society of CPAs, Lindner Center of HOPE Board and Finance Committee, Greater Cincinnati Hospital Council and the Ohio Hospital Association’s Finance Committee, where he currently serves as its incoming Chairperson.  Rick has presented at a number of meetings and for organizations seeking to learn more about healthcare and healthcare finance.

Umberto Tachinardi, MD

Senior Vice President & Chief Health Digital Officer

Umberto Tachinardi, MD, is the Senior Vice President and Chief Health Digital Officer at UC Health. He is also a professor in the UC College of Medicine’s Department of Biomedical Informatics and Associate Dean/Interim Chair for Biomedical Informatics.

Dr. Tachinardi’s leadership allows UC Health and the College to enhance its knowledge-driven culture by advancing digital and informatics strategies for the system and accelerating clinical research and innovative healthcare delivery.

His work ensures the organizations’ technological approaches continue to be built and maintained in a secure, reliable and sustainable way that will continue to improve health, research and education.

Dr. Tachinardi’s many decades of experience in the biomedical informatics field complements his partnership with the system’s chief data and analytics officer, chief health information officer, chief research information officer and chief information officer, as well as many clinical and operational leaders. Together, they are transforming UC Health’s commitment to driving innovation—leading the way the health system collects, interprets and uses data and analytics to enhance the delivery of care and achieve operational excellence.

Dr. Tachinardi received his medical degree from the Itajuba School of Medicine in Brazil. He also holds a master’s degree in physiology from the University of São Paulo. He is a fellow of the American College of Medical Informatics and the International Academy of Health Sciences Informatics.

Robert J. Wiehe

Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer for Hospital Operations

Robert J. Wiehe serves as the Senior Vice President, Chief Operations Officer for hospital operations at UC Health. Mr. Wiehe joined UC Health in March 2015 leading all supply chain and pharmacy operations across the system. In September 2020, Mr. Wiehe became the Chief Administrative Officer at UC Medical Center in addition to his other operations responsibilities. In March 2021, he assumed responsibility for all UC Health hospital operations.

Mr. Wiehe received his undergraduate degree in manufacturing engineering from Miami University and his master’s in business administration from The University of Cincinnati.

Being certified in change management and as a Lean Six-Sigma Black Belt, he advanced his career through various leadership positions in the consumer goods industry, primarily focused on operations and supply chain management.

In addition, Mr. Wiehe has managed global supply chains and numerous manufacturing facilities, serving as a supplier to companies such as Procter & Gamble and Wal-Mart. He has also served on national boards of directors for different industry organizations and previously served as an adjunct professor at Miami University, teaching operations and supply chain management.

During his tenure as Chief Administrative Officer role at UC Medical Center, Mr. Wiehe helped achieve an additional star ranking from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) with great support from his leadership teams and employees throughout the system, who continuously drive UC Health on its journey to become a 5-Star Health System.

Stewart W. Wright, MD

Senior Vice President & Chief Medical Officer

Stewart W. Wright, MD, serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at UC Health, in addition to his long-standing roles as an emergency medicine physician.

Dr. Wright oversees clinical performance in terms of quality, safety, clinical outcomes and overall proficiency — advocating for patients and an environment that advances healing and reduces suffering. His responsibilities include: UC Medical Center, West Chester Hospital, Daniel Drake Center for Post-Acute Care and ambulatory services.

Dr. Wright is also the lead doctor for Ohio’s COVID-19 Zone 3 (Miami Valley and Southwest Ohio), UC Health’s COVID-19 Core Team Commander and a professor at the UC College of Medicine. For the past 30 years, he has been a practicing and attending physician for the UC Department of Emergency Medicine.

As an internationally-renowned advocate for local and global health, Dr. Wright is a board member of the Village Life Outreach Project, supporting medical groups that promote healthcare and well-being for communities in East Africa.

Dr. Wright completed his residency at the UC College of Medicine’s Department of Emergency Medicine, where he served as chief resident. He is a graduate of the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri — and received his master’s degree in medical education from the University of Cincinnati.

Chad Zender, MD, FACS

Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer Physician Network

Chad A. Zender, MD, FACS, serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Physician Network. In this role, Dr. Zender works closely with clinical department chairs and other leaders to align and drive the overall strategic direction and performance of physician practices in an environment dedicated to exceptional clinical care, educating future generations of physicians, and advancing medical research.

In addition, Dr. Zender leads the overall management of UC Health’s ambulatory sites and is a practicing physician, professor, and program director for the Head and Neck Surgery Department within the Otolaryngology division at the UC College of Medicine. Dr. Zender also serves as the Center of Excellence Co-Leader for Head and Neck Cancer at the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center.

Dr. Zender completed his medical training at the Wright State University School of Medicine, residency at Loyola University Medical Center, and fellowship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He holds board certification with the American Board of Otolaryngology and maintains clinical expertise within the following fields of medicine: cancer, oncology, head and neck cancer, head and neck surgery, reconstructive surgery, robotic surgery, thyroid disorders, otolaryngology, ear, nose and throat, plastic surgery, transoral laser surgery, and advanced skin cancer.

His clinical research interests involve national and international clinical trials utilizing the non-surgical treatment of HPV-related head and neck cancer, targeted therapies such as adjuvant therapy after surgery, and identifying diagnostic biomarkers for the early identification of cancerous and precancerous lesions in the head and neck. To date, Dr. Zender has contributed to nearly 100 medical publications.

Jeffrey Akers, PharmD, MHA, BCPS, CPEL

Vice President of Pharmacy Administration

Jeffrey Akers, PharmD, is primarily responsible for all aspects of UC Health’s pharmacy services including strategic, clinical, financial, operational and research aspects of the health system’s acute and post-acute care hospitals, retail, specialty and infusion pharmacy practices. 

Dr. Akers also directs vital support services for pharmacy-related operations, including corporate leadership, medication access, informatics, federal drug pricing programs and clinical trial medications, among others.  

Dr. Akers is an appointed Adjunct Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Administrative Sciences at the University of Cincinnati James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy and he serves on the College’s Advisory Board.

Dr. Akers earned his bachelor’s degree and Doctor of Pharmacy degrees from the University of Kentucky and master’s in healthcare administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. For over 20 years, Dr. Akers has been a board-certified pharmacotherapy specialist recognized by the Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties. He was recently acknowledged as a Certified Pharmacy Executive Leader by the American Society of Health System Pharmacists.  

Dr. Akers has been a leader and innovator in pharmacy practice for 30 years and continues to push the upward trajectory of pharmacy practice at UC Health.

Becky Allen

Vice President of Operations & Ancillary Services

Becky Allen, Vice President of Operations & Ancillary Services, is responsible for the strategic direction and oversight of the following areas across UC Health:  cardiovascular services, radiology services, laboratory and pathology services, respiratory services, rehabilitation services, radiation safety, endoscopy services and emergency management.

Allen serves on the senior administrative leadership team at UC Medical Center and West Chester Hospital and has been a healthcare leader for more than 25 years.

Allen has a master’s degree in radiology science administration, a bachelor’s degree in organizational studies and a certificate in executive leadership for healthcare professionals from Cornell University, and is a radiologic technologist and certified radiology administrator.

Professional affiliations include:

  • President of the Association for Medical Imaging Management (AHRA). 
  • Healthcare Administrator for the Advisory Committee on the Medical Uses of Isotopes (ACMUI) which advises the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) on policy and technical issues. 

Danielle Apanius

Interim Chief Human Resources Officer; Vice President of Finance Operations

Danielle Apanius has more than two decades of healthcare experience, including support services operations and clinical care. As a member of the UC Health executive team, Apanius oversees the human resources and finance operations teams across the system.

In her Interim Chief Human Resources Officer role, Apanius has responsibility for talent management, compensation, benefits, diversity, equity and inclusion, employee health and well-being, and the overall human resources operations function for the system. 

Aligned with Apanius’ finance leadership role, her focus is reporting on financial performance while bridging the gap between finance and operations. Utilizing financial performance outcomes, Apanius leads teams managing financial forecasting, capital planning and government reimbursement.

Throughout her career, Apanius has been associated with the Finance Committee for the Ohio Hospital Association and has held local and national leadership roles with the Healthcare Financial Management Association. A graduate of Xavier University, Apanius holds a bachelor’s degree in natural sciences, and is pursuing a master’s in business administration from Miami University. She is actively involved in the community, including service on the board of directors for Girls on the Run of Cincinnati.

Mary Baker, RN

Vice President of Physician Network and Ambulatory Operations

Mary Baker, RN, serves as the Vice President of the Physician Network and Ambulatory Operations.

Baker’s background and expertise includes over 20 years of executive service line leadership, health system strategy and physician integration. Her primary focus areas include:

  • Leading clinic access initiatives, including technology enablement to drive digital and in-person patient engagement.
  • Oversight of clinical care efforts that support enhanced quality, service and safety.
  • Leading value-based care teams to promote population health and health equity.
  • Oversight of clinical and operational teams associated with physician clinics and ambulatory services.
  • Consistently drives strategic business development and enhanced quality initiatives.

Baker Mary holds master’s degrees in both nursing and health administration from the University of Kentucky, and a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Kentucky University. She’s also a member of the following organizations:

  • American College of Healthcare Administrators
  • American Organization for Nursing Leadership
  • American College of Cardiology
  • Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing

Jay Brown

Vice President and Chief Information Officer

Jay Brown, Vice President and Chief Information Officer at UC Health, is responsible for the primary oversight of information technology, telecommunication and corporate transcription services across the system.

Brown partners with UC Health’s Chief Health Digital Officer and Chief Health Information Officer to ensure that information system resources are deployed to enhance the quality, safety and effectiveness of care.

Brown has been a leader in healthcare IT for several decades. He earned his master’s degree in business administration from Xavier University and a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from Purdue University.

Craig Cain

Vice President of Revenue Cycle Management

Craig Cain, Vice President of Revenue Cycle Management, is responsible for the strategy, operations and optimization of the revenue cycle at UC Health.

In this role, Cain oversees scheduling, registration, insurance verification, financial counseling, charge capture, release of information, coding, utilization review, clinical documentation improvement, billing to third parties and patient services, and overall collection of patient service revenues. He is accountable for analyzing, recommending and evaluating the resources, systems, tools, processes and investments of the health system to fully realize revenue associated with patient services delivered, keeping the patient at the center of the organizational mission.

Previously, Cain served in escalating leadership roles for 15 years at Daniel Drake Center for Post-Acute Care, the Health Alliance and The Christ Hospital.

Cain earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Cumberland College in Williamsburg, Kentucky, and he is an active member of the Healthcare Financial Management Association.

Alexandra Castillo

Vice President, Chief Data & Analytics Officer, UC Health; Assistant Professor at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine

Alexandra Castillo supports the system’s commitment to driving innovation, leading the way the enterprise collects, analyzes and uses data to enhance the delivery of care and achieve operational excellence, while also supporting biomedical research.

Castillo has been a healthcare leader for a decade and holds a bachelor’s degree in nutrition and dietetics and master’s degree in public health from the University of Southern Mississippi. She currently spearheads several data and analytics areas and registry operations, including:

  • Collaborating with leadership to build a deeper culture of data-driven decision-making and achieve targeted results supported by efficient processes of gathering, interpreting and sharing data.
  • Coordinating and optimizing a robust data and analytics team and governance model.
  • Capitalizing on technological advancements and increased-efficiency opportunities.

Castillo’s professional accolades include:

  • College of Healthcare Information Management Executives Collaboration Award
  • Association of American Medical Colleges Learning Healthcare System Pioneer Award
  • Group on Women in Medicine and Science Innovation Award
  • Excellence in Research- COVID-19 Hero Award
  • SEARCH Conference Scientific Poster Award
  • 18 publications in scientific peer-reviewed journals

Amy Chima

Vice President of Quality and Safety

Amy Chima serves as Vice President of Quality and Safety and interim Vice President of Physician Network and System Service Lines.

Primary quality and safety focus areas include:

  • Leading enterprise safety programs across UC Health and the UC College of Medicine, focused on advancing healing and reducing suffering.
  • Operational excellence related to quality, patient safety, national reputation and performance tied to clinical care outcomes and external indicators.

Interim physician network and system service line leadership responsibilities include:

  • Management and oversight of clinical operations for system service lines and ambulatory services/clinics.

Chima has been a healthcare leader for more than 15 years, and is a Six Sigma Green Belt with a master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s degree in economics.

Jeanetta Darno

Vice President and Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer

Jeanetta Darno has been serving as UC Health’s inaugural Vice President and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer since 2020. She leads systemwide efforts to advance the health system’s culture of inclusion focused on their people, their culture, the patient care environment and the communities they are a part of and serve. Darno brings over 25 years of experience in leading diversity, inclusion and human resources.

Darno is a globally recognized thought leader and speaker on diversity and inclusion. A few of her recognitions include:

  • Recipient of the Ohio Diversity Council’s Most Powerful and Influential Woman Award
  • Recognized in 2022 by Beker’s Hospital Review as a Health System ‘Diversity and Inclusion Executive to Know’
  • Spotlighted by Savoy Magazine as a 2023 ‘Most Influential Executives in Diversity & Inclusion’

Darno is a combat veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces and holds a bachelor’s degree from Jackson State University, a master’s degree in human resources from the University of Central Texas, and a Master of Business Administration from The Ohio State University. She recently completed Harvard’s Strategies for Building and Leading Diverse Organizations program, and is currently pursuing her PhD in Organization Development from Benedictine University.

Teri Grau, MHA, BSN, RN

Vice President of Operations & Chief Nursing Officer

Teri Grau, MHA, BSN, RN, Vice President of Operations and Chief Nursing Officer, serves as a member of the senior administrative team at UC Medical Center—Greater Cincinnati’s only Level I trauma center and the referral destination for the most advanced cancer and neuroscience care and treatment.

Her responsibilities include contributing to the planning, organizing and execution of strategic goals, as well as providing direction and vision for all aspects of patient care delivery.

Grau is driven by a people-first philosophy that enables fostering strong partnerships with clinicians, employees and community members. She brings an inclusive interdisciplinary approach that prioritizes best-in-class standards that help ensure patients receive the best possible care.

Grau is a healthcare leader with more than 35 years of clinical nursing experience. Previously, Grau was assistant vice president of professional services for UC Medical Center. She has a background in critical care and transport nursing, serving as director of UC Health Air Care & Mobile Care from 2008 to 2014. She holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the College of Mount Saint Joseph and has a master’s degree in health administration.

Jen Jackson

Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President of Operations, UC Health West Chester Hospital

Jennifer Jackson, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, leads our UC Health West Chester Hospital as the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) and VP of Operations. This role is responsible for steering the leadership, direction, and day-to-day operations of patient care services within the hospital and health system.

Dr. Jackson’s over 20 years of experience at UC Health, leadership experience at UC Medical Center, and proven track record in nursing leadership make her an ideal candidate for this crucial position. Her most recent role as Chief Nursing Officer at Bon Secours Health System and Adjunct Faculty at the College of Nursing, University of Cincinnati, showcases her commitment to delivering outstanding patient outcomes and inspiring innovative nursing practice.

Educationally, Dr. Jackson holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Evansville, a master’s degree in nursing from Xavier University in Cincinnati, and a doctorate in nursing practice from the University of Cincinnati. This diverse educational background complements her extensive professional experience.

Candace Sabers

Vice President, Government and Community Relations

As Vice President of Government and Community Relations, Candace Sabers provides strategic vision and operational leadership for all aspects of UC Health’s government and community relations. In collaboration with executive and senior leaders, Sabers develops and leads internal and external strategic state, federal and local government, business and community relations initiatives to support UC Health’s mission and strategic goals.

Sabers also leads efforts regarding health policy and engages elected and government leaders on UC Health’s legislative and regulatory priorities. She also provides leadership related to identifying and accessing sources of government funding that align with and support UC Health’s strategic initiatives.

Sabers has more than a decade of experience in state government, including the legislative and executive branches. After serving as the legislative liaison to Senator Eric Fingerhut, Sabers joined the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services as a leader under Governors Taft and Strickland, focused on child welfare, agency-wide performance accountability and Medicaid reform.

Prior to joining UC Health, Sabers served as the Director of Government Relations for Bon Secours Mercy Health.

A graduate of Saint Mary’s College, Sabers received her master’s degree in management from the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University.

Matt Schmidt

Vice President of Audit & Compliance

Matt Schmidt is responsible for the oversight of UC Health’s audit and compliance areas:

  • Internal Audit – An independent, objective, assurance and consulting activity designed to add value and improve operations. An annual audit plan provides management with an evaluation of the effectiveness and efficiency of internal controls.
  • Compliance – Administers and manages UC Health's compliance program which is designed to prevent, detect and resolve potential violations of laws and regulations. Promotes a culture that encourages ethical conduct and a commitment to compliance.
  • Enterprise Risk Management – A system-wide approach to managing risks that have the ability to affect the strategic objectives of the organization. 
  • Conflict of Interest – Annually requires management, physicians and the board to disclose certain relationships, which may result in a conflict and impact UC Health.

Schmidt is a licensed CPA with over 20 years of business experience. He obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Cincinnati.

Jennifer Theibert, Esq.

Vice President & General Counsel

Jennifer Theibert, Vice President and General Counsel of UC Health, is responsible for overseeing the operations of the Office of General Counsel, which consists of the Legal and Risk Management departments.

Theibert and her team provide legal advice, negotiate contracts, manage litigation and strategically mitigate risk to protect the assets of the organization. She also partners with UC Health’s Chief Privacy and Compliance Officer on privacy-related investigations and collaborates with several other departments across the system to ensure she and her team understand the legal issues healthcare leaders are faced with and can problem solve accordingly.  

Theibert obtained her Juris Doctorate from the University of Dayton School of Law and has practiced law for over 20 years, with 19 spent as in-house counsel for hospital systems and in private practice, representing physician practices. She is licensed to practice law in the State of Ohio and is also admitted as an attorney of the Supreme Court of the United States. She has served as an adjunct professor at the University of Dayton School of Law, teaching both Healthcare Law and Appellate Advocacy. She has also previously served on the Board of the Society of Ohio Hospital Attorneys and currently sits on the Board of Trustees of Chaminade Julienne High School.