General Session: Leading Through Uncertainty

Maureen “Mimi” Coomler is the Chief Executive Officer of Tucson Medical Center (TMC) and Chief Hospital Executive for TMC Health. A seasoned health care leader with more than 20 years of executive experience, she is recognized for driving strategic growth, operational excellence, and people centered organizational transformation.

During her tenure, TMC Health has advanced several major initiatives, including the opening of TMC Rincon Hospital, expansion of the TMCH Cancer Center, significant physician practice acquisitions, and nationally recognized cardiovascular research programs. Having previously served as COO and CNO, Mimi has a strong record of improving clinical quality, strengthening emergency services, reducing nursing turnover, and advancing high reliability practices across the system.

Dixieanne (Dixie) P. James is an experienced healthcare executive with more than 20 years of experience driving innovation, operational excellence, and strategic growth. She currently serves as Regional President of Jefferson Health, a nationally ranked top 15 not-for-profit health system and the largest provider in the Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley regions.

In her role, Dixie oversees day-to-day operations across a $3.3 billion region in Philadelphia, including Jefferson’s flagship hospital, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, as well as Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia Hospital, Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation, and multiple ambulatory surgery centers. Her leadership is instrumental in advancing Jefferson’s mission to improve lives through exceptional care and community impact.

She maintains active professional memberships with the American College of Healthcare Executives, the National Association of Health Services Executives, and The Links, Incorporated. Dixie holds a bachelor’s degree in health systems management from the University of Connecticut and an MBA from Loyola College.

Kelly Nierstedt is president of Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center (ORMC) and senior vice president Orlando Region. A visionary leader of one of the largest hospitals in the nation, Kelly is responsible for developing, leading, and implementing the strategic and operational direction at Orlando Health ORMC, Central Florida's only Level One Trauma Center.

Kelly is known as a trailblazer for expanding care and access to services for those who need it the most while providing the highest level of clinical care to deliver nation-leading outcomes. Prior to her current role, Kelly served as president of Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies, where her passion for women’s health culminated in the opening of Orlando Health Women’s Pavilion – Winter Park, the first of its kind in Central Florida.

Kelly holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in nursing and began her career as a nurse in labor and delivery. She is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

William G. “Bill” Robertson is the CEO of MultiCare Health System. Robertson joined MultiCare in 2014. Under his leadership, the organization has grown into the largest community-based, not-for-profit, locally governed health system in the Pacific Northwest. With more than 30,000 team members, MultiCare’s comprehensive system of health includes 13 hospitals and more than 300 primary care, urgent care and specialty care clinics and institutes across the Pacific Northwest.

With 40 years in health care leadership, Robertson previously served as CEO of Adventist HealthCare in Gaithersburg, Md.; CEO of Shawnee Mission Medical Center in Shawnee Mission, Kan.; and executive vice president and CFO of Huguley Health System in Fort Worth, Texas.

Robertson is a frequent speaker at industry events and active in many industry and community organizations. He serves on nonprofit committees and boards at the local, regional, and national levels, including the Washington State Hospital Association, American Hospital Association, the Association of Washington Businesses, and Greentrike, among others.