University Healthcare Expands Executive Team

MARTINSBURG, W.VA. – WVU Medicine University Healthcare President and CEO Anthony P. Zelenka, FACHE, recently announced the appointment of two new executives to the health system’s senior management team.

Neil R. McLaughlin has been named vice president of operations and Samantha Richards has been named vice president of nursing/chief nursing officer.  Both appointments are effective November 2.

McLaughlin most recently worked for Valley Health as the president of War Memorial Hospital in Berkeley Springs and Hampshire Memorial Hospital in Romney.  A native of Berkeley Springs, he has held several management positions at War Memorial Hospital since joining the organization in 2001. 

Prior to that time, McLaughlin worked for the Gift of Life Donor Program (GLDP) in Philadelphia and Carolina Donor Services (CDS) in Durham as an organ transplant coordinator, clinical services director and director of professional development. 

McLaughlin holds an Executive Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from West Virginia University, a Master’s Degree in Education (M.Ed.) from Pennsylvania State University, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Alderson-Broaddus College. 

McLaughlin is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, the WVU Executive MBA Advisory Council, and the West Virginia Hospital Association’s Healthcare Educational Foundation.  He also serves on the Eastern Panhandle Region 9 Planning and Development Council, the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation Board of Directors, and the Faith Christian Academy Board of Directors.

In his new role, McLaughlin will be responsible for the day to day operations of assigned areas and departments at both University Healthcare facilities.  He will also lead implementation of new system initiatives including the new campus in Jefferson County.

“The healthcare landscape today is challenging each of us to be engaged differently than in the past.  It delights me to join this accomplished leadership team and begin my new role as a partner of the patients, providers, and leaders throughout the region in improving health, promoting well being, and enhancing the environment of care,” McLaughlin stated. 

Richards comes to University Healthcare from WVU Medicine in Morgantown where she has worked since 1997 in various nursing leadership roles.  She most recently held the position of director of nursing for five units including medical-surgical, trauma step-down, dialysis and observation. 

A native of Western Pennsylvania, Richards holds a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), a Master of Science in Business (MBA)  and  a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) all from Waynesburg University.

Richards is a Fellow of the Health Care Advisory Board – Leadership Program, a graduate of the West Virginia Nursing Leadership Institute, a Leadership West Virginia Alumni, and an adjunct faculty member for Waynesburg University.

“I am very excited to join the University Healthcare, WVU Medicine team,” Richards commented. “My passion for nursing and the ability to touch people’s lives has been my guiding principle.  Through supporting the care that is delivered at the bedside, the process that guides practice and the leadership that influences change, I look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead.”

In her new role as vice president of nursing/CNO for University Healthcare, Richards will be responsible for planning, organizing, directing and evaluating nursing care at both Berkeley Medical Center and Jefferson Medical Center.  She will work closely with the president/CEO to assess services and provide executive level coordination of nursing, while being responsible for the administration of daily nursing operations.  

“We are pleased to welcome Neil and Samantha to University Healthcare as part of our executive leadership team,” stated Zelenka.  “They both bring a wealth of health care management and leadership experience to the group, and support our vision of providing the highest quality, highest value medical care with a seamless patient experience.”

In addition to McLaughlin, Richards and Zelenka, the University Healthcare executive team includes Kathy Quinones, vice president of finance; Teresa McCabe, vice president of marketing and development; Stephanie Diedericks, vice president of strategic planning and clinical services; and Michelle Thomas, vice president of human resources.  A search is currently underway for a new vice president/chief medical officer for the system.