MUSC hires Zaas to lead new division; Summerville Medical hires CEO

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MUSC Health has created a new division and has hired Dr. David Zaas to lead it.

Zaas will join MUSC in July as CEO of the new MUSC Health – Charleston Division. He will report to Dr. Patrick Cawley, CEO of MUSC Health and vice president for Health Affairs for the university.

Zaas served as the president of Duke Raleigh Hospital since 2014. As CEO of MUSC Health – Charleston Division, he will lead the Medical University Hospital Authority in Charleston, including the MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital and Pearl Tourville Women’s Pavilion.

Zaas will also oversee the division’s executive leadership team and serve on the MUSC Health System Council as CEO of the flagship hospital.

Additionally, Zaas will serve as chief clinical officer for MUSC Health, providing guidance and advice on health care system strategies.

“Dr. Zaas has a deep appreciation for academic medicine and its critical role in research and innovation,” Cawley said. “He has a history of leading and promoting successful collaboration among a university, practice plan and health system.”

Also changing leadership in the Lowcountry recently was Summerville Medical Center, which hired Jeff Taylor as CEO in February. He was most recently the COO at Menorah Medical Center in Overland Park, Kan.

“He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge that will be a significant resource as Summerville Medical Center continues to grow to meet the needs of our community,” said Todd Gallati, president and CEO of Trident Health.

Taylor said several things attracted him to Summerville Medical Center. He said the team is known for caring for the community like family while also providing clinical excellence.

Summerville Medical Center is part of the community’s fabric, Taylor said.