The Renown Health Board of Trustees fired CEO Dr. Tony Slonim on Thursday.
The health system said Thomas R. Graf, M.D., FAAFP will serve as interim Chief Executive Officer, a press release said.
The trustees, led by Adam Kramer, investigated concerns raised to the Board of Directors and determined that Renown Health, its patients and staff required new leadership.
Dr. Graf will assume the title and authority of CEO in addition to his current role as Chief Clinical and Quality Officer at Renown, and Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs for University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine. Sy Johnson, MBA, Renown’s current Chief Operating Officer has been promoted to interim President and COO.
Dr. Thomas R. Graf
"A new direction and leadership is needed given the critical work ahead. I have complete faith in Dr. Tom Graf and Sy Johnson, and their senior leadership teams, who already oversee health care system operations, and will help ensure a smooth transition,” said Kramer.
Graf will work in collaboration with Johnson, MBA, interim President and Chief Operations Officer and an experienced team of healthcare executives, to lead Renown to achieve its strategic and operational goals.
“For more than 160 years, Renown has provided health care that is affordable, accessible and of the highest quality for our community,” Kramer said. “This commitment continues as our 7,000 health care heroes continue doing what is most important, and what we do best - caring for our community.”
Graf will continue to fuel Renown’s transformation to a value-based care organization, help advance technologies to enhance the patient experience, and collaborate with providers in Renown Medical Group, acute care hospitals, and through the Western Clinical Alliance clinically integrated network, accountable care organization and affiliation with UNR Med.
“My goal is to produce greater value for the patient by delivering care that is of highest clinical quality,” Graf said. “Renown has a national reputation for delivering excellent care using approaches that are creative, innovative and maximize technology, and I look forward to engaging physicians and administrators in an agenda that supports this vision. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the great progress that Renown Health is making in becoming the best place to practice medicine and to receive care. I am excited to join this journey of transformation to value- based care, and to serve patients, clinicians and our community.”
Johnson has led Renown Health hospital and network operations for almost seven years, most recently as Chief Of Staff / Chief Operating Officer and formerly as Renown’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Prior to joining Renown, Johnson served as CEO, Senior Vice President and as Chief Financial Officer for Peace Health in Vancouver, Washington, and in senior management with Arthur Andersen & Co and KPMG.
Dr. Thomas R. Graf