Erik Wangsness named CEO for AdventHealth Wesley Chapel

AdventHealth has named Erik Wangsness to the position of CEO for AdventHealth Wesley Chapel. Wangsness will assume leadership of the hospital on September 1, 2019, and report to Bruce Bergherm, senior executive officer of acute care services for AdventHealth’s West Florida Division. Wangsness replaces Denyse Bales-Chubb, who recently transitioned to a new role as CEO for AdventHealth Tampa.

“Over the years, AdventHealth Wesley Chapel has grown to meet the increasing health care needs of this community, and with Erik’s guidance, I know it will continue to provide exceptional Christ-centered care and foster hope and wholeness,” said Terry Shaw, president/CEO for AdventHealth.

Wangsness currently serves as president for Washington Adventist Hospital, a 232-bed, high-acuity community hospital serving the Washington, D.C., region. He previously served in leadership roles within AdventHealth (then called Adventist Health System), including president/CEO of Jellico Community Hospital in Tennessee, director of business development and assistant to the CEO at what is now called UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook in Illinois and executive director of the foundation at Littleton Adventist Hospital in Colorado.

“Erik is a tremendous health care leader, and we are excited to have him leading AdventHealth Wesley Chapel,” said Bergherm. “With his proven health care administration, operations, physician relations and business development experience, background working in faith-based health care and commitment to our mission of Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ, I have confidence that the hospital will continue to deliver exceptional wholistic care under his leadership.”

Wangsness earned a master’s degree in health care administration and a bachelor’s degree in economics, both from the University of Minnesota. He has been active in numerous organizations, including the Healthcare Council of the National Capital Area, American College of Healthcare Executives and Maryland Hospital Association Council on Financial Policy. He is also a Baldrige Executive Fellow.

“I am excited to be rejoining the AdventHealth family as part of the West Florida Division,” said Wangsness. “I look forward to working with the clinicians and other members of the hospital staff at AdventHealth Wesley Chapel to continue the strong tradition of delivering high-quality and compassionate whole-person care in the community.”

Wangsness and his wife, Kari, have four children. In his free time, he enjoys reading, golfing and playing musical instruments.