Abel Biri Named Chief Executive Officer for AdventHealth Waterman

Abel Biri has accepted the position of Chief Executive Officer for AdventHealth Waterman, effective May 30, 2017. He replaces, and will report to, David Ottati, who was recently named president/CEO for AdventHealth Central Florida Division North Region, which encompasses Volusia County, Flagler County and Lake County, where AdventHealth Waterman is located.

Abel has demonstrated strong leadership qualities, sound acumen and dedication to Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ during his more than 20 years with our organization. This, combined with his previous executive leadership experience at AdventHealth Waterman, during which he helped foster the hospitals growth and solidify its standing in the market, gives me confidence that the hospital will be well-positioned for advancement under his leadership, said Terry Shaw, president/CEO for AdventHealth.

Biri, who joined the organization in 1996, currently serves as vice president and chief operating officer for AdventHealth Orlando, where he is responsible for the performance of core clinical

and non-clinical support areas, master planning, capacity management and the development of the digestive health service line.

Biri previously served as vice president and chief operating officer for AdventHealth Waterman, and his executive oversight in areas such as the Cancer Institute, diagnostic imaging, surgical and cardiovascular services, and business development helped drive operational efficiency and overall market growth. As COO, Biri oversaw the installation of two new catheterization labs in the Heart Center, managed new technology upgrades for the diagnostic imaging department and Cancer Institute, and was instrumental in developing a new land use plan that will be foundational to the future growth and expansion of the campus.

His more than two decades of broad health care experience also includes providing executive oversight for signature programs at AdventHealth, where he served as assistant vice president, overseeing the Transplant Institute, Center for Interventional Endoscopy and Digestive Health Center. He has also served as administrative director for AdventHealth, director at the AdventHealth Digestive Health Center and director at AdventHealth for Children.

I am honored and humbled by the opportunity to lead AdventHealth Waterman, a place that I hold near and dear to my heart, said Biri. I have been blessed to learn from many great leaders and mentors during my career, and I am excited to once again work with the talented clinicians and team members at AdventHealth Waterman to provide whole-person, Christian health care in the Lake County community.

Biri earned a masters degree in business administration, with an emphasis in health care, from Webster University, and a bachelors degree in business administration from Andrews University. He and his wife, Vasti, have been married for 20 years and have two sons, David (11) and Jonathan (9). An avid reader, Biri also enjoys watching soccer with his family, and cheering for their favorite team, FC Barcelona.