Mike Komoll serves as Vice President of Risk Management and is responsible for building insurance programs, managing professional and general liability claims, and enhancing patient safety through collaboration with clinical and executive leadership. Komoll started his career as a trial lawyer in Cook County, IL representing healthcare providers and other professionals in state and federal court. Prior to joining CHS in 2019, Komoll served as the Vice President of Claims at HCA and in various technical and leadership roles at CNA Insurance. Komoll graduated summa cum laude from DePaul University in Chicago, IL. He earned a Dean’s Scholarship and went on to earn his law degree, with honors, from the DePaul University College of La
Nicole West serves as Vice President of Internal Audit, overseeing all Internal Audit functions and Enterprise Risk Management. West originally joined CHS in 2012 and served as Senior Director of Internal Audit. Prior to her work at CHS, she served as Director of Internal Audit for HealthSpring, Inc. and worked at Ernst & Young where she served public and private clients across different industries including Financial Services, Manufacturing, Gaming, Energy, and Telecommunications. West holds a bachelor of science degree in accounting and a bachelor of science degree in marketing from the University of Tennessee and a master’s degree in business administration from Mississippi State University.
Charles J. (Chuck) Cova serves as the President of Region 2 Operations for Community Health Systems, overseeing the Company’s affiliated hospitals and markets in Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. Cova joined CHS in 2021 as the Vice President of Operations for Region 2. He was promoted to Region 2 President in October 2023. Prior to joining CHS, Cova served in hospital and market executive leadership positions and was ultimately promoted to Division President & CEO and Senior Vice President of Operations on the Central Coast in California. Cova had direct governance and management responsibility for acute care hospitals, post-acute facilities, ambulatory care sites, a comprehensive cancer center, and the physician enterprise, developing one of the most robust and successful health care delivery systems throughout the San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, consistently recognized for quality, safety and patient experience. Cova holds a bachelor’s degree from St. Mary’s college, a master’s degree in business administration in health services management from Golden Gate University, and completed post graduate work at Harvard.
Patrice Bordron serves as Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer. With deep and broad global cyber and technology experience, Patrice is responsible for leading all aspects of the organization’s information security risk management program. Prior to joining CHS in 2021, he oversaw security, data privacy, compliance and continuity management at Nationwide Financial as its Chief Information Security Officer.
Before moving to the US, Patrice worked as an IT leader for Bank of America in London, Royal Bank of Scotland in Edinburgh, and ABSA and BMW, both in Johannesburg, South Africa. He served in the South Africa Military Medical Service as a Special Forces Paratrooper Medic after receiving a receiving a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology and software design from Vaal University of Technology in Vanderbijlpark, South Africa.
Retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Ronald L. Burgess Jr. has served on our Board of Directors since September 2023. Gen. Burgess retired from the U.S. Army in 2012 after 38 years of service, rising to the rank of Lieutenant General. His military career included terms as the head of the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency and as acting Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence where he provided advice and expertise on national security to the President of the United States, the Secretary of Defense, the Director of National Intelligence, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Congressional leaders. He currently serves as a special advisor to the president of Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama, where, from 2012 through his June 2023 retirement, he served as executive vice president and as senior counsel for national security, cyber programs and military affairs, engaging on effective administrative operations, cybersecurity, and current world events and their potential impact. Gen. Burgess also serves on the advisory boards of a number of privately-held companies, including in the technology and healthcare fields.
During his military career, Gen. Burgess received numerous military awards and honors, including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, and the NATO Medal (from the former Republic of Yugoslavia). He was also recognized with awards by the governments of Colombia and Bolivia, was presented with the Order of the Star of Romania by the president of Romania and was inducted into the National Order of the Legion of Honor by the president of France. He has been inducted into the United States Army Military Intelligence Hall of Fame and has received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Auburn University Alumni Association. Gen. Burgess has also received multiple honorary degrees.
Gen. Burgess’ expertise in cybersecurity and information systems are a valuable asset to the Board and the Audit and Compliance Committee in their oversight of the Company’s information security, data security, data privacy, and other cybersecurity programs, procedures and risks. Moreover, his demonstrated leadership skills and experience in developing and carrying out a strategic vision both in the military and at a major university provide an additional perspective to the Board. His familiarity with interfacing with individuals at all levels of the federal and state government also provides additional insight to the Board in navigating the highly-regulated industry in which the Company operates. Gen. Burgess’ experience in advising privately-held companies in fields such as technology and healthcare gives him additional knowledge of areas that are important to the Company.
Jim Horrar is responsible for all aspects of managed care for Community Health Systems. Horrar originally joined CHS in 2008 and served as President and CEO at former subsidiary Quorum Health Resources, LLC, then as a Division Vice President of Operations working with hospitals in the south and southeast from 2014 to 2019. He rejoined CHS in 2023 following three and a half years with Centene Corporation as senior vice president over the Mid-West Division. Horrar began his career working with Humana Inc. for 14 years as chief operations officer for the Kentucky market and as a corporate vice president for national contracting. He holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical and biomedical engineering from the Vanderbilt University, master’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Louisville, and master’s degree in business administration from Vanderbilt University.
The Honorable Susan W. Brooks has served on our Board since May 2022. She is a former Congresswoman and former U.S. Attorney. From 2013 to 2021, she served as the U.S. Representative for the 5th District of Indiana, where she was instrumental in legislation to reform emergency response, healthcare, manufacturing, technology innovation, higher education and public safety. Ms. Brooks served as the Chair for the House Ethics Committee and was a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. She also held subcommittee roles in Health; Communications and Technology; Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade; and Oversight and Investigations. Ms. Brooks served on the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress and on the House Committee on Education and Workforce and Homeland Security Committee. She also co-founded the 5G Caucus with a goal of positioning the United States as a leader in 5G wireless technology. Ms. Brooks co-chaired the Women’s Caucus and Women in High Tech Coalition and served as the Recruitment Chair for the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC). In this role, she recruited 94 women and 75 minority candidates who stood for election to Congress on general election ballots. Prior to serving in Congress, Ms. Brooks was Senior Vice President and General Counsel for Ivy Tech Community College, the public community college system for the state of Indiana, from 2007 to 2012. From 2001 to 2007, she served as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. In that role, she oversaw the prosecution of Medicaid fraud and illegal opioid prescriptions. Prior to her appointment as U.S. Attorney, Ms. Brooks’ broad professional experience included practicing criminal defense law and later government services law at law firms in Indianapolis, Indiana. She also served as Deputy Mayor for the City of Indianapolis overseeing public safety operations and helped manage law enforcement and emergency response efforts. Ms. Brooks serves on the board of directors of First Merchants Corporation, a Nasdaq-listed financial holding company headquartered in central Indiana, and serves on its Nominating and Governance Committee. She also serves on the board of directors of Team Health Holdings, Inc., a leading physician practice company. In addition, Ms. Brooks currently serves on the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense and formerly served as the co-chair of the CSIS Commission on Strengthening America’s Health Security, both based in Washington, DC. Ms. Brooks served on the Indiana Governor’s Commission on Public Health. She has also served on several non-profit boards, including Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis. Ms. Brooks has received numerous awards, including the Congressional Champion Award from the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs and the Congressional Leadership Award from the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, both in 2020; and the Champion of Healthcare Innovation Award from the Healthcare Leadership Council and the Legislator of the Year from the Indiana Health Industry Forum, both in 2015.
Ms. Brooks’ deep knowledge of and experience in both the legislative and judicial branches of the Federal government provide our Board with valuable insight into the governmental processes and priorities that impact the heavily-regulated industry in which the Company operates. In addition, her diverse experience, including advising public and privately-held companies, non-profits, educational institutions, hospitals and physician practices, gives her valuable insight both related to the healthcare industry as well as to other sectors with which the Company frequently interacts.
Miguel S. Benet, M.D., M.P.H., has leadership responsibilities for clinical services and operations including the CHS PSO – Patient Safety Organization, clinical research, clinical informatics, case management/utilization review, ED, OR, OB cardiovascular service lines, transfer center operations, pharmacy, behavioral health, post-acute services, clinical data science, process improvement, clinical documentation improvement and physician coding and documentation, physician practice management, and graduate medical education (GME) programs within CHS-affiliated hospitals.
Before joining CHS in 2021, Benet served as Chief Medical Officer for HCA’s North Texas Division where he had responsibility for all clinical, safety and quality activities and led strategic implementation of clinical programs across the 16-hospital network. In his more than 20 years as a physician executive and practicing provider, he has held leadership roles including Chief Resident, Anesthesiology Department Chairman, medical staff committee chairmanships, and CMO at individual hospitals.
Benet earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and his medical degree along with a master’s degree in public health, health management and policy from the University of Michigan. He completed his anesthesia residency at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts.
Joseph A. Hastings, D.M.D. has served on our Board of Directors since September 2021. Dr. Hastings is a private practice orthodontist in Mobile, Alabama with over 37 years of health care experience. Dr. Hastings served on the board of directors of Quorum Health Corporation, an operator of general acute care hospitals and outpatient services, from 2016 until July 2020, with service on its compensation committee, governance committee, and patient safety and quality of care committee. He has served in numerous leadership positions in local, state, and national dental and orthodontic societies. Board certified in orthodontics, Dr. Hastings has been published in several orthodontic journals and holds two United States patents. He graduated with honors from the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry, and completed his post-doctoral training at the Louisiana State University School of Dentistry in New Orleans.
Dr. Hastings brings the perspective of a health care practitioner as well as prior experience as a public-company board member to the Board of Directors. His experience in managing a health care practice is similar to that of many of the Company’s affiliated physician practices, and he can provide valuable advice to the Board of Directors and management regarding trends in both medicine and the organization and operation of medical practices.
Nathan Summar serves as Vice President of Revenue Management for Community Health Systems where he is responsible for all aspects of Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement for CHS and its’ affiliates. His responsibilities include oversight of all federal and state regulatory reporting, analysis and advocacy for government programs, and oversight of the accounting cycle for revenue recognition. Summar joined CHS in 2002 as an Accounting Manager and has served as Vice President of the Revenue Management department since 2014. Prior to joining CHS, he held accounting positions in the healthcare and construction industries. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Middle Tennessee State University and is a Certified Public Accountant.